Last week I had a conversation with a friend whose book, Crackerjack Bands and Hometown Boosters: The Story of a Minnesota Music Man, is coming out in July. She’s at the point in the process where the writing is done, the book is in production, and she’s facing the daunting next step: launching her book.READ MORE
Letter 52
Wednesday, 13th May, 1942
1887416 Sgt. Leigh AA, RE
Transportation
Headquarters
Sudan
My Darling Sweetheart,
How long it is since I last wrote you. I don’t know but it is longer than it should have been. I am extremely sorry to keep you of all people waiting but I am sure you must know and realise that I have an excellent reason, so please forgive me darling. I must confess that I have been frightfully busy and working hard in the intense heat produces a tiredness which hinders all attempts to write but the smallest of letters. Since my precious you are worth far more to me than a few scrappy lines I just wait my opportunity. READ MORE
I found this delightful, mystery-filled handwriting sample on eBay for just a few dollars. I love the loopy handwriting, the flourished initial letters, and the extra-long cross bars on the t’s. Most of all, I love the sternness of the note. I’m dying to know what was so unworthy! The note was written on the front of the envelope; unfortunately the envelope doesn’t include any other clues.
It struck me as a fantastic writing prompt. What do you think was such a failure and that was so “untrustworthy” that it required courage to send? Do tell!
May 3, 1944
My beloved little darling wife,
I am happy tonight because I have mail like a notary clerk—nine letters in two days, not all from you, of course, but still, I have four—from March 23, March 26, April 2 and April 13. READ MORE
My dear Dad,
I’m writing to you hoping that you received all my cards in spite of the problems with the mail.READ MORE
Lafond–La Rochelle
April 1, 1944
Dear Mom,
Yesterday there was beautiful sunshine and today, for April Fish, we have grey weather and fine rain. Tomorrow night Gaston will take the train, and after tomorrow noon he will go see you for sure. It seems to me you come back at noon or 12:30.READ MORE
I’ve met with enough book clubs to anticipate the questions readers have about Marcel’s Letters: A Font and the Search for One Man’s Fate. One question that has come up time and time again is, “what’s the name of your new dog?”
A woman at a book club in Stillwater has been the only one to ask the harder question: “why didn’t you tell us his name?” The book included so much detail, she explained, the absence of his name seemed unusual. She didn’t believe it was an oversight. When I learned the woman was a judge, her question made more sense. She may often ponder motives behind people’s actions.
So, I thought it was time to tell you why I didn’t include Watson’s name in the book.READ MORE
March 9, 1944
Dear all,
It wasn’t until last Sunday, March 5, that I received your letter of January 29. It had been censored!READ MORE
February 16, 1944
My very dear ones,
Today I am sending the third stamp of the series of which I sent the first two on my letter on the 14th and in the same mail I sent two small packages containing your birthday gift. READ MORE
I will confess I don’t know the in’s and out’s of book sales/distribution. But I learned that as of January 1, the distribution of Skyhorse Publishing’s catalog, including Marcel’s Letters, changed from Perseus to Simon & Schuster and inventory was transferred to Simon & Schuster’s warehouse.
It isn’t clear how this change was communicated to booksellers, and I’ve heard rumblings there is a perception the book is unavailable. If you are a bookseller and are experiencing issues finding the book, please let me know!
