MINOT STEPHEN: (1927-2010)

MINOT STEPHEN: (1927-2010) American novelist and short story writer. T.L.S., Steve, one page, 4to, Simsbury, Connecticut, 27th March 1974, to Stephen Brook. Minot writes concerning Brook´s rejection of Lyre, announcing ´Sad news indeed!´ and continuing ´I would have loved to have been one of those to start an expanded fiction list for Godine. But it´s not wise to dwell on such things´, further remarking ´I do appreciate your willingness to spell out the reaction of the readers in some detail. So often such letters are so evasive one can´t tell whether the decision was made on a literary level or whether the Senior Editor had a hangover that morning. And your own reaction to the novel was good to have. If bright people like yourself see some merit in it, then perhaps there is hope yet´ and concluding by sending a copy of The Tide and Isaac Bates for Brook´s pleasure, ´though after a day of mss. reading this may be no kindness. Save it for vacation´. Together with the copy of The Tide and Isaac Bates referred to, being a photocopy of thirteen 4to pages as published in the Quarterly Review of Literature, Double Fiction issue, Summer 1973, signed and inscribed by Minot in blue ink to the first page and dated 1974 in his hand. VG, 2 Stephen Brook (1947- ) English author and wine journalist, a former editor of The Atlantic Monthly Magazine and publisher at Routledge, Kegan & Paul from 1976-80.