T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 228

To R.A. Fontana, Anamosa, Ixrading, Isle of Wight. 338171 A/c Shaw Room 8 F.S., R.A.F. Drigh Road, Karachi India. 5.1.27 I have sworn a great oath never to use or countenance the use of the name "Lawrence", as referring to me, again, in public or private. So that would settle the question of my introducing your book, I'm afraid. Of course I will to gather i try to write, occasionally, unsigned articles, or articles signed by virgin names. They are worth two guineas a thousand words, which I am told is a better rate than usual. They cost me more than that, in trouble; often as my R.A.F. rate of 3/6 a day. But no publisher would be moved to publish your work, because it had an unknown man's introduction before it. But why should you think an introduction necessary? You used to read and And Simonides, and they are good people. Probably the right man will take what you have written on its merits, and that should be much more gratifying than to be helped. I did twice, in the old days, help people by introducing their books; but one, Richard Garnett, was dead, and that pardoned the offence. The other, Doughty, was a special case; I had been trying to persuade all him, and at last one beginning-publisher said "If will, if you'll preface it" -- and what could I do? Doughty was very nice about it; but it felt like scratching one's name on Westminster Abbey. Introductions to publishers I will (and do) willingly give. Several people with good stuff have been helped by me into print. Did you hear of Lawrence the proper tradesman. Have you tried Cape? He is enterprising, and the best producer of commercial books in London (for format). It would be a sample of your stuff I'll see that if you will send me a sample Garnett, a critic of genius) with reaches his critic (Rupert. my opinion. I have no doubt that it's the right stuff: and it should be exactly right for the particular public. If Cape says "No", I'd suggest Faber and Gyer for second strin.; Cape says "He", ... seeker is too difficult; and the but Cape an easy first. big men too staid. Do send me a copied chapter (not registered: by ordinary post) and I'm sure we can pull it off easily. Yours T E Shaw.