(Doris Duke Photograph Collection, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University)
Frost wrote of cleaning a spring and tending to a new calf—“You come too”—with the promise that it wouldn’t take long, that hint of the over-busy world to which we all belong.
Now I’m asking you, my able and loyal readers, to “come too” as I head into yet another revision of my biography, Doris Duke: The Invention of the New Woman. Originally set to be published in 2016, it is now delayed till October, 2018, which will make this a seven and a half year labor, two and a half years of that time spent dealing with my editor’s deletions and questions.
I plan to furnish you with some of the paragraphs I may have to delete—I will try my best to hold onto them, but it may simply not be possible. As all of us writers know, the big publishers hold all the cards, avoiding accepting a manuscript they’ve commissioned, formally, which means the second installment of my advance will not be paid for another two years—and the first installment came through more than five years ago and is, of course, long since spent.
This is one of the reasons writers can’t survive, economically and, it sometimes seems, spiritually.
Also, because this length of time between books is too long for my readers to have any sense of continuity, or to know that I am always writing, with new short stories hot off the griddle, I’m going to begin to publish one of these unpublished works here on my blog, in the hope that it will furnish all of you with a little sustenance during this long wait.
I am fortunate to have a publisher at all. I am blessed to have readers who will, perhaps, wait till the fall of 2018 to read the book they’ve been hearing about for a long time.
So—“You come too.”
Such a lovely idea!
Sallie, I am sorry to hear about your publisher’s truculence, but delighted to hear you’ll give us the out takes! I will take better care of myself to be sure I’m around for the 2018 release. “Anticipation….,” as the song goes.
I subscribe to the theory that “anything worth having is worth waiting for”, and have preached this for years. I know, without a doubt, your story about Doris Duke is worth waiting for!
I applaud your tenacity! I continue to look forward to the Doris Duke book, however, I am 72 years
old, so get crackin’ Ms. Sallie! Seriously, I so enjoy your blog.
We – at Shangri La – Doris’ home in Honolulu have been waiting, waiting for this book to be published. We recognize her value. And, the value of Shangri La’s outstanding collection of Islamic Art. We wish you well. And, we stay tuned for progress with the publication. Yes, please share whatever information is edited. Doris’ Shangri La offers education and inspiration in the World of Islamic Art. Doris Duke is an inspiration for many guests at Shangri La.
Yikes!
sorry to hear of the delay in the Doris Duke book. I am eagerly awaiting it to be out
I have been to Duke checking her info on her relationship with Mrs Takata and learning about Reiki.
Yes! Excellent idea.
Aii.
I don’t know if you will see this, it is in an old post. I was just re-read reading Moving Beyond Words and came across your name. I can always use another role model in this world. This post was one of the suggested links, and ‘You come too’ is what drew me in – that line from that poem is one that has always resonated with me. I’m so glad to see someone else using it.