From: toph@abcpublications.org.uk To: henry.forrest@thu.ac.uk Subject: your new editor 17/02/19 at 0930 Hi there Henry, Please allow me to introduce myself. I’m a new appointment at ABC, replacing Ms. Jacqueline Wagner, with whom I believe you have worked for many years. I never had the pleasure of meeting her, which saddens me because it is unlikely that I ever shall; no doubt you have heard the tragic news about her inoperable brain tumour. She will be much missed and a tough act to follow. All I can say is that I’ll do my best!! I look forward to receiving the first draft of your new novel, which I understand is imminent. Kind Regards, Toph From: Toph… To: Henry… Subject: fifteen-all (but apologies nonetheless!) 17/02/19 at 11:30 Dear Mr. Forrest, I must apologise for making the “brazen assumption” that we could be on first-name terms at this embryonic stage of our working relationship. Rest assured, I had no intention of undermining your authority. May I point out in turn, however, that my full name is not “Christopher”. Even my mother calls me Toph: first name, last name and nickname all in one. Much easier for someone lazy like me, who likes to concentrate on the creative stuff! Yes, of course I understand that you are deeply upset, especially as you had *no idea…?!* Kind of you to suggest a floral delivery; I’ll let you know in which hospital Ms. Wagner is spending her last weeks. Re your draft: “My Story” is a reasonable working title. We might aim for something spicier in the end but, as the good Bard once said: “The Play’s the thing…” Yours Sincerely, Toph From: Toph… To: Henry… Subject: first draft received 25/02/19 at 08:15 Dear Mr. Forrest, Thank you for the draft of chapters one to four. Specific points attached. One general observation: Is the tone and content a little safe? I know that you are choosing to blur the boundaries between autofiction and autobiography; does that not give you license to embellish? For example, great that you are detailing the traumatic relationship with your father in Chapter 1. But (P.38, para 3) where you write “he often threatened to put a noose around my neck - a kind of sick figure of speech, designed to terrify me”, could you not go the whole way: “he often put a noose around my neck and tightened it until I could no longer breathe…” etc, etc? There’s always room for one more “Misery Memoir” if you are willing to go the extra mile. Best regards, Toph From: Toph... To: Henry... Subject: dictionary def. 25/02/19 at 15:15 Dear Mr. Forrest, In haste, I’d agree. No doubt you’ve read the most up-to-date psychiatric material, but I think that the basic description works well enough for the general reader: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome Yrs, T. From: Toph... To: Henry... No subject 25/02/19 at 16:07 Mr. Forrest, Sure, I understand that your uncle might sue. Don’t worry, we have contacts. Your Dad was obviously a bastard, as you say - T From: Toph... To: Henry... Subject: 3&4 03/03/19 at 12:37 Dear Henry, First-name terms? I’m touched! Intimacy must indeed be “deserved”. Chapter 3: the death of your first girlfriend (pp.75-81) is...dare I say it?...a boring episode. What exactly happened when she fell off the jetty?? Don’t be ambiguous. Atmosphere great, denouement vanilla. You *did* kill her, didn’t you? Best, Toph From: Toph... To: Henry... Subject: break 12/03/19 at 09:09 Dear Henry, I understand your need for a short break from writing; it must indeed be horrible to rake this trauma up from your past. I don’t envy you!!! Meanwhile, something to leave you with: your sense of shame (Chapter 4). Worth elaborating? As ever, Toph From: Toph... To: Henry... Subject: report received 14/04/19 at 11:19 Dear Henry, I received an email from Dr. Rad this morning about your recent check-up. Fine, but I believe that it’s time to get back to work. Better out than in... Regards, Toph From: Toph... To: Henry... Subject: first draft complete 29/04/19 at 10:24 Henry, I rarely, if ever, praise my clients this way, but I’m aware that you need a “lift” at the moment: the new draft is really coming off the page. I believe we are on to a winner. Chapter 5 edits attached: second marriage, etc. Re. depression, you have my sympathies. Please feel free to call me any time, particularly if you “wander even closer to the edge”. Believe me, I’m with you all the way. Greetings, Toph From: Toph... To: Henry... Subject: meeting in person 10/05/19 at 22:48 Dear Henry, Like a child in a sweet shop, I’m so excited to meet you in person at long last. On arrival, please look for the big pitchfork. I’ll be there, wearing red. Only joking! Your destination will be...more of the same. Purgatorial, but this time with no means of escape. Till soon! M. ‘Toph’ Lees From: Jacqueline@abcpublications.org.uk To: Margaret.forrest@writer.org 12/05/19 at 10:01 Dear Mrs. Forrest, On behalf of all my colleagues at ABC, I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to you and the family. We were devastated to hear of Henry’s tragic death: a huge loss to the literary world. I was looking forward to receiving the first draft of “My Story”. At some point in the coming months, it would be a great privilege for me to look at whatever Henry left, so that we might publish his final thoughts. Officially, I retire from ABC at the end of June; but I’m in robust good health, so I look forward to taking on many more editing projects as a freelancer. This will be a special one. With deepest sympathy, Jacqueline Wagner, Senior Editor