Subject: Your Letter to J.D. Salinger
From: Will Hochman (hochman@southernct.edu)
Date: Wed Mar 21 2001 - 06:05:02 GMT
Dear All, we have already had word from Chris Kubica about his
upcoming book, Letters to Salinger on this list and I'm now hoping we
can respond in true bananafish style! Chris has asked me to help
with the editing and you know my heart is here on this list so PLEASE
read the letter below and send us your best "Letter to Salinger." I
am composing the book's afterword and will stress the way our online
group has responded to Salinger's fiction in creative and traditional
ways that reflect some of the best critical ideas about Salinger's
work. I know that many of us on this list are capable of writing a
letter to Salinger that will be worthy of inclusion, so let it rip!
Chris and I aren't focusing on criticism or biography or anything
except what readers most want to say and how well they say it. If you
have questions or want some help with drafts, my editing help is
yours for the asking. However, I encourage you to simply sit down
(with or without a glass of wine!) and directly say the things to JDS
that you need to say. We already have some fine contributions and I
urge you to join our group of talented writers with your own letter
to Salinger. I know the book will be better if I can add your name
to it, so please submit a letter, Will
>PS: Here's the standard letter we are sending out:
>
>Dear Writer:
>
>We cordially invite you to join a group of distinguished writers in an
>important new book, _Letters to Salinger_, which will be published at the
>end of the year by University of Wisconsin Press. A portion of all royalties
>will be donated to Poets & Writers, Inc. (www.pw.org).
>
>_Letters to Salinger_ will commemorate the 50th anniversary of _The Catcher
>in the Rye_ and will celebrate the formative influence the book and Salinger
>'s other works have had on many writers and readers. _Letters to Salinger_
>will contain approximately 100 open letters to J. D. Salinger. Included will
>be letters by Lee K. Abbott, Richard Bausch, Marvin Bell, Robert Bly,
>Frederick Busch, Julie
>Checkoway, Peter Ho Davies, Nicholas Delbanco, Harlan Ellison, Tess
>Gallagher, Rachel Hadas, Jim Harrison, David Haynes, Robin Hemley, W. P.
>Kinsella, Cris Mazza, Erin McGraw, James Alan McPherson, Stewart O'Nan,
>Molly Peacock, Chaim Potok, David Shields, Barry Silesky, Joseph Skibell,
>Gary Soto, James Tate, Melanie Rae Thon, and Tobias Wolff. We hope you will
>choose to submit your personal thoughts as well.
>
>_Letters to Salinger_ is expected to provide a diverse perspective on the
>effects of Salinger's work-some letters will reflect on the ways Salinger
>has influenced us, some will consider his literary thumbprint, and some will
>speak to how Salinger has influenced society and become an enduring element
>in our culture. We seek letters that best "speak" to Salinger and his
>readers. With your help, this collection will illustrate the ongoing beauty
>of Salinger's fiction and its ability to inspire readers, as well as provoke
>consideration of Salinger's work in creative and critical directions.
>
>We're confident in your literary acumen to compose a great letter. However,
>in case you need some guidance, here are some questions you might answer in
>your letter:
>
>* How has Salinger's work influenced you or your writing?
>* What would you like to discuss with Salinger about his craft or technique?
>* Did you ever wonder about some of the choices Salinger made in terms of
>character, dialog, or plot? What did you wonder?
>* Have you had a unique experience regarding Salinger or his work that you
>would like to relate to the readers of this collection?
>
>Please send your original, signed letter by June 1, 2001 to:
>
>Chris Kubica, Editor
>Letters to Salinger
>2020 Longspur Drive
>West Lafayette, IN 47906
>
>If you prefer, you may e-mail your letter to CKubica@home.com.
>
>If possible, please fax an advance copy of your letter to:
>
>Chris Kubica, Editor
>Fax Number (USA): 425-671-5648
>
>If you have any questions about the book, your contribution, or related
>concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at the above address or phone
>number. We look forward to hearing from you.
>
>Most sincerely yours,
>
>Chris Kubica and Will Hochman
>
>P.S. Respecting Salinger's privacy is very important to us. During the
>course of this project, we will in no way attempt to contact Salinger
>directly or encourage others to do so.
>PPS:Feel free to forward this invitation to writers you know and
>think might be interested in contributing to this collection. We
>also encourage you to print this invitation out and post it on a
>bulletin board where talented
>writers will see it.
THANKS!
>
>
-- Will Hochman Assistant Professor of English & Composition Co-Coordinator Southern Connecticut State University 501 Crescent St, New Haven, CT 06515 203 392 5024
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