To: Sarah Williams (SWilliams .uk)
From: Mark Leaton (MarkLeaton .uk)
Re: Mythology and Folklore in Great Britain and Ireland
Ms. Williams,
Firstly, allow me to apologise for my late reply. I have been out of the country recently and have not had access to my emails.
Secondly, I would be delighted to meet with you and talk about the future of my book in relation to span "=""scríbhn publishers. I am highly available now that I am back in the country so if you name a time and a place I am sure I will be able to make it.
Thank you for your interest in my book. I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely yours,
Mark Leaton.
Sarah let out the breaths he had been holding while reading, relieved to have finally received a positive response from the author, and such a courteous one at that. She wondered what he was like, and why he had been out of the country for so long. After firing off an email to Bobby to let him know that Mr Leaton had replied, she flicked through her diary for the next few days, already knowing that she was free to meet with him whenever, and then set about typing out a reply.
To: Mark Leaton (MarkLeaton .uk)
From: Sarah Willaims (SWilliams .uk)
Re: Meeting
Dear Mr. Leaton,
Thank you for your reply. I must admit that I have been very much looking forward to hearing from you!
Usually when meeting potential clients we discuss the possibilities for the future over lunch at a restaurant of the client's choosing. I am free on Thursday and Friday of this week. If this is agreeable to you please respond with the restaurant and the day and I will be back in touch to discuss further details.
Yours sincerely,
Sarah Williams.
To: Sarah Williams (SWilliams .uk)
From: Mark Leaton (MarkLeaton .uk)
Re: Meeting for lunch
Dear Ms Williams,
Lunch on Thursday sounds delightful. Is The Delaunay in Aldwych acceptable to you?
Yours sincerely,
Mark Leaton.
God The Delaunay? That was fine dining. Lucky that Scribnh pays for lunches with clients, otherwise there was no way that she would be able to afford somewhere like that. It made her wonder even more about the man. A lot of the time the authors that she met with did not have the funds for something like The Delaunay, especially after being out of the country for a long period of time. 'Writing must just be a hobby on the side for him. I wonder what he does for a living?'.
Sarah found herself glancing at the clock for the umpteenth day in a row. At least this time it was because she was excited for something rather than wishing the day away so that she could go to sleep. By the time Wednesday came around Sarah was way past being able to get any work done. She simply read over and over different parts of Mr. Leaton's book. Determined to glean as much from it, and be as prepared as possible for lunch.
Realising that it was almost twelve, Sarah gathered up the heavily written upon manuscript, her tablet, and purse into her back, pocketed her phone, and went to catch the tube to Aldwych.
'Ms Williams?' Sarah looked up from her phone, smiling at the man standing before her. She rose and offered her hand.
'Please, call me Sarah, Mr. Leaton.'
'Well then if I am to call you Sarah then you must call me Alston.' Tha man shook her hand warmly, smiled, and then took the seat opposite her.
'Alston?' Sarah worried for a second that she was at the table with a stranger.
'Ahh, yes. I'm afraid that Mark is not my real name. It is the name that I wish my work to be attributed to, but yes, Alston is my real name. I'm sorry. I would have told you earlier but not knowing where the book was going to be going I didn't want to confuse anything.
'No, no, it's fine. Lots of authors give us different names. Your second name though?'
'Yes my second name is actually Leaton.'
Sarah smiled at him, 'well, I've been excited to meet you and talk about the book. I've been going over and over it.'
'Yes, I've been excited to meet you too. I'm so glad that you find my writing interesting.'
Sarah smiled at him again and then looked up as the Waiter appeared. After they had placed their drinks orders Sarah began again.
'So, Alston, it's not just my department that is interested in it, a co-worker from-'
'Sorry, which department are you involved in?'
Sarah was annoyed by the interruption, she had been about to explain that.
'I am part of the fiction department. But a co-worker in the non-fiction department is also interested. That's where the manuscript was originally submitted, am I right?'
Alston had been nodding along as she was speaking, and at the question he replied with a simple 'yes that's right'.
Sarah decided to continue.
'The book is such a strange blend of fiction and non-fiction, we think it will be very appealing to readers, I found it very appealing myself actually. The details that you give about how people view the different folktales and mythologies is such a contrast to how you tell the tales themselves. It's really, very wonderful. The only thing is that you don't cite any sources, if this book is to go any further we would need sources, be it primary or secondary, or even tertiary, we would need something. Plagiarism laws and all that.'
'Yes I understand. Although I don't really have many sources. My Grandmother told me these tales when I was young, and that is what sparked my interest. I wrote down a lot of what she said, which I suppose is a secondary source. Is that right?' Sarah nodded but said nothing, waiting for him to continue. 'Yes, well, that's where what you would call the fiction half of it comes from. I've visited all of the places that I speak about as well. Talking to the local people about the tales and such. But I haven't done any research into other books. I have the names and lots of what they said written down in a journal. That's where the other half comes from. Just talking to people. I'm interested in people after all.' He stopped there, taking a sip of the drink that had arrived mid-way through their conversation, and looking up at Sarah through bright, hazel eyes.
'Well that should be fine. We'll have to get in touch with each person and see if they mind being named as a source, it'll be long-winded but it should be alright. I'm sure we can get through. As to the actual book, as a publisher editing isn't my area but I have made some preliminary notes on the manuscript. We do employ a number of editors within the company however. I can set up meetings with a couple of editors that I think might be suitable and you can have your pick. Often people get a little panicky around this point, lots of people don't like the thought of their writing being edited...'
Alston just smiled at her and said 'I'm happy to meet with some editors. I understand that the manuscript you have is very raw. Shall we take a look at it?'
They spent the next fifteen minutes poring over the manuscript, Alston taking an interest in her notes, and Sarah keen to question him on various points. After they had finished their lunch, they spent another hour and a half looking through the manuscript.
'You've made a lot of notes on this section?'
'I think it is the part I'm most interested in. Tuatha Dé Danann. I would love to see it expanded upon. You write about it with such passion.'
Alston looked up at her with curious eyes which she met with a smile.
'Yes. They were a favourite of my Grandmothers, and therefore a favourite of mine. Their story is an interesting one. Forced underground by the Gaels, who eventually lost their magic and are the ancestors of the Irish today.'
'And you have visited there as well?'
'Oh yes, I frequent Ireland often. As a matter of fact it was where I was the past month which was why I couldn't get back to you. I spend nearly have of my time there actually.'
Sarah decided that this man clearly led a fascinating life. She hadn't worked up the courage to ask him what he did for a job and so was still in the dark about how he was able to spend so much time out of England. If he spent half his time in Ireland then he must have a house their surely. Which means two houses!
'Well I'm afraid I need to be getting back to the office. I'll email you to set up a meeting with some editors so I suppose I'll be seeing you then?'
'Yes that would be great. Thank you. I'm very excited about taking this further, thank you so much for getting in touch.'
With a last goodbye, Sarah was back on her way to the office, once again feeling like she was progressing towards a change, however minutely. Today had been a long day, and she was looking forward to getting home and to bed.