Dear dear author,
I know you have a lot to say. Editors too. I know it must kill you how quickly readers skip right over your carefully crafted preface, acknowledgements, even that introduction you worked hard on. Know I love it. Know that I see you.
I remember the first time it meant something to read about you. I had an english translation of The Physiology of Taste. There's such a gap to cross, bringing this French cultural commentary across to an English I would recognize. And here was your - and every other translator's - reason for crossing it. Right there in your own words.
Writing nonfiction can be thankless. But you do it. Any kind of writing creates distance between you and the reader. But you can talk to us. In your preface. You can set us up for success, in your introduction. You can say "you need to know I put thought into this, and this is why I made these choices". You can thank everyone who made this possible, and you know what? I love them too, now you told me who they are.
I see your mark on the work now. Each voice is distinct, the choices deliberate. The debate between author and editor is carried lightly, but some of those choices were agonizing. All of this, a work by imperfect people with something to say.
I'm listening. Through title page, preface, acknowledgements, introduction, table of contents, contributors list… I'm listening.
Tell me how to read your work.
All my love…
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