You will perhaps forgive my somewhat brusque approach at our last meeting. Given the way you behaved rather like the worst of the suffragettes, you'll perhaps take into consideration the reception you got at the club as an object lesson. Proper society demands certain behaviors of both men and women alike. Even if women were to be admitted to my club, entry would require membership or at the very least escort. I shouldn't go barging into a meeting of the Sorosis Club, after all, it being designated as women-only.
All that aside, I have to say that I do admire your persistence. The fact that you've gone ahead and traveled to the Grosvenor World shows more grit and determination than a few male authors I could put name to. Can't get them to stir themselves from their habitual environs without a cash advance, and here you are, off doing research on your own shilling, and turning in a prospectus that has in fact caught my interest.
If you would be most kind as to share your contacts with Whitehall, I could work with them directly here in London and perhaps save a bit of time in terms of communication delay, lack of proper telegraphy through the Rabbit Hole and all that. Of course, we would have to pass your work through the appropriate channels. Her Majesty's various services will want first crack at the sort of intelligence you've hinted at in your opening chapters. I've had rather an interesting visit this morning, no, can't say who from or even what office, but it's in the district if you know what I mean. It seems that I'm rather encouraged to maintain communication with you, not that I really need such.
I suggest a serialization culminating in a book publication, rather than waiting until you've got the book completely written. Periodicals such as The Strand and The London Magazine are always looking for anything pertaining to the Gruv, the more exotic the better. If you've got firsthand experience, as you do seem to have, best to strike while the iron is hot as it were. I've taken the liberty of discussing the possibilities with one or two editors - oh no, they haven't seen your actual manuscript, not going to give them a taste for free don't you know, but enough hints were dropped to whet their appetite. There's quite a bit of interest in this as it turns out, and the idea that it's being written by a lady adventurer seems to have a bit of a titillation factor.
Let's cut to the chase, shall we? I've enclosed a contract that will let me represent you properly, for twenty percent at the front end, and a bank draught for a hundred pounds as an advance which you may redeem once the signed contract is in my hands. If you don't mind being a nine days wonder, and gaining perhaps a bit of notoriety as well as fame, as there are those who won't approve of a woman having such adventures even in these enlightened times, I believe that you and I can come to an arrangement.
Your obdt.,
William Heinemann
Publishing Agent, WH Smith Ltd, Fleet Street, London
enc: contract, draught on Bank of EnglandStatistics:Posted by Andrew1879 — Sun Apr 15, 2018 11:02 pm
]]>