108.
1926:
Rapid City, Man. November 15,
1926
Hello, A.L.,
haven't heard from you for an age. Before me
lies a wire:
"Search mailed back to-day. Cut to hundred thousand words.
Spring publication. Ten percent royalty. Letter follows.
Graphic Publishers."
This is the outcome of a series of wires.
First, Miller: "Search the most gripping thing I've read
in years. Cut to 60 000 words. Publish next fall. 10%. Wire
answer. Want to announce in Christmas ads."
F.P.G.: "Cannot consider cutting to less than 100 000 words.
Must insist on spring publication. Wire answer."
Miller: "Want both Ms. (-Mrs. G., in my absence, had sent
him Daily Bread and Search - at his request -) But cost too
high for long books. "Please Consider."
F.P.G. "Cannot help that. Cannot drop 2/3 of book. Return
mss. return mail."
So I find myself saddled with the task of cutting that old
yarn to ½ its length!!! And it's your doing, don't
deny it! And that at a moment when I begin to feel like doing
a slice of real work (merely in the way of knocking another
novel into shape). When are you coming to R.C. - with Mrs.
P and Ann?
Yours,
F.P.
By the way, am sitting up ½ a day, with back analgeticised
(is that a word?). The 10 th week is beginning.
