Correspondence, Sinclair Ross
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216 Bortage Ave., Winnipeg, Man., April 17, 1942,Ralph Gustafson, Esq.,70 Central Park West,New York, U .S .A.Dear Mr. Gustafson:My apologies for the long delay in answering your letter. I have been busy, groggy with the 'flu - and also waiting word from Earle Birney about a short story I sent him for a Canadian issue of Story Magazine that they plan to bring out this summer. I thought that it might not be suitable for him, and intended, in that case, to let you see it for your forthcoming Penguin volume.He plans to use it, however - provided the magazine comes out - and as I am extremely busy finishing a novel I regret that I cannot submit you anything at present. The publishers want to see the novel next month, so I'm giving it every minute of my spare time, When isthe dead-line fra for your material ? If later on in the summer I might manage something. Or would you consider anything that has already been published ? Queen's, I am sure, would give permission to reprint any of my stories that they have used, provided that their name is mentioned.I am sorry that I know no one in the armed forces able to turn out the sort of thing you want. I have spoken to some of the men at the University here, but they can suggest no names either.With best wishes for the success of this and other "Canadian'* Penguins,
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VIA AIR MAILThe Royal Bank of CanadaPLEASE ADDRESSALL COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED 1869TO THE MANAGERCABLE ADDRESS "ROYALBANK"216 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, Man., May 1, 1942,Dear Mr. Gustafson:Here is the story I mentioned to you in my previous letter - the one Birney intends using for Story.I think it needs a few small revisions, but if you find it suitable for your needs I can attend to that later. Many thanks for your kind interest in my efforts.
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The CHASE NATIONAL BANKOF THE CITY O NEW YORKSEVENTY-THIRD ST. BRANCH BROADWAY 73rd ST.PAY TO THE ORDER OF
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Winnipeg, Man., 216 Portage Ave., May 22, 1942,Dear Mr. Gustafson :I was happy to hear you liked One's A Heifer and hope you have no difficulty finding room for it.The changes in the enclosed copy are slight, and do not affect the situation or narrative.Unfortunately my biographical details are not very interesting. Thirty-four years old, born on a homestead in northern Saskatchewan, attended rural and small town high schools, worked in a Bank since I was 16. Apart from the stories in Queen's I have had a novel published, As For Me And My House, brought out by Reynal & Hitchcock, New York, in February, 1941. I have just finished a second one which is now in their hands, but I haven t had a report on it.If you need materal from men in the armed forces for future Canadian Penguins, I would suggest your getting in touch with Lieut. David Cottingham, Swan River, Man.,Yours sincerely,
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July 18, 1942Dear Ross,I apologize for leaving your letter unanswered for so long. Work at the British information Services has divorced me almost entirely from writing of any kind.I wanted to tell you again how much I enjoyed "One's a Heifer” and that I have Included It in my typescript to go to England soon— Contemporary Canadian Writing.I wish my typescript could have followed quickly on the heels of my Anthology of Canadian Poetry which, fortunately, Canada and the State's seem to like-- but again the other work interrupted.I am enclosing herewith the MS of the story which you sent; and also the MS which Earle Birney sent down to me when his "Story" plans didn't go through. I am keeping the last MS you sent me,If I may, so that I can correct the proofs from It,I have "As For Me and My House" and am looking forward to reading It. What news of the second novel?With all best wishes.Sincerely,
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August 11, 1942Dear Sinclair Ross,Many thanks for your letter that arrived this morning. I was glad to hear you liked the Anthology of Canadian Poetry, It has done remarkably well, I am glad to say— ln fact, I remain startled that a book of poems, by anyone about anything, can sell 500 a day. There seems to me reason for good hope within such news, I think Wm Lyons Phelps' broadcast about it, was the boost that exhausted the first edition (15000). Another is on the way.Particularly, I'm glad you liked my own stuff. I am not too good at knowing about my own stuff blit perhaps the selection is all right.A.J.M.Smith persuaded me to "Dedication” which I thought night be too long. I’m also glad not to remain oldlis and professorial!The typescript of Contemporary Canadian Writing is taking shape, I am way over contract time with the publishers-- but I can only snatch time for it from work at the B.I.S. However, by the first of next month I hope to have the MS on the way to England. It promises well; I have pieces from E.K.Brown, Leon Edel, L.A. MacKay, Smith, Klein,Pratt, et al. I hope for pieces from Leacock, MacLennan, and others. There is a dearth of good imaginative prose in close contact with the war.It Is my one disappointment. The poets seen to write out of the struggle-- but no short stories that I am aware of.I an hoping your new novel gets a publisher. I have a feeling that "too thin In plot” means little and snacks of the commercial view-point. Do let, me know of your writing when you can.Meanwhile, good fortune,..Sincerely,\
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H.95794Pte.Ross, J.S.Headquarters, 1 C.B O.D.Cdn.Army in England.6 Jun 43.Deer Mr.Gustafson:I am sorry to trouble you, but I have been wondering if you still intend to use One's A Heifer. I was asking John Lehman recently if he knew anything about the Canadian Antholgy, and at his suggestion got in touch with a Miss Frost. She has Just answered my letter, and doesn't seem to know much about it, or if it is likely to appear. I can imagine some of your difficulties, and your opinion of people like myself who write pestering letters. But if you don't see any prospect of using it I should appreciate your letting me have it back. I might retouch it a little and try it somewhere else.I have been busy and unsettled since coming over, but think I will have a little time for writing now. Have a number of ideas, and an itch to get at them, though in the Army it's hard to find quiet and privacy to concentrate. I find England interesting, and so far haven't had time to get "browned off."Was three months last winter in London, andvery lovely part of the country. Not having "a very high category the chances are I will remain here a while - and, I hope, get on with a little writing.Yours sincerely,
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E.95794 Headquarters,No.1 Cdn.Base Ord.Depot;,Cdn. Army in England,2 9 Sep 43.Dear Mr.Gustafson:I think it was early in June that I wrote asking you for the mss. of One's A Heifer if you had no arrangements made to use it in the near future. I should like to repeat my request - it must be at least a year and a half since I sent it to you. It would be appreciated if you would let me have it without too much delay.Pte Hoss, J.S. H.95794
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70 Central Park West New York, N.Y.November 19, 1943Dear Mr Ross,I have vour letter of September 29th—but the earlier one of which you speak has not turned up.I trust I may still use ONE'S A HEIFER.It is typed into my MS which is just about to go off to Penguin Books Inc. The anthology is to be called CANADIAN ACCENT. It includes Leacock, Callaghan, Gelber, Pratt, Brown, Knister, Scott, WWE Ross, Smith, Edel, Birney, Hutchinson, Anderson, McConnell, Klein, Waddington, MacLennan, Finch, Marcuse, Page, and MacKay. As representative of Canadian prose as can be done, I think.I realize it is some time since I last wrote to you. But this has been beyond my control.Not only the difficulty of collecting the right material-- but constant work at the British information Services. I hone you will understand this delay and allow your story to remain.Some time ago I gave your address to Earle Birney. If your paths should cross, do extend my best wishes.With best regards,
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Fold HereARMED FORCES AIR LETTERAIR MAILIf anything is enclosed in this letter it will be sent by ordinary mail.TO:Mr. Ralph Gustafson70 Central Park West .............New. York,U.S.A.Fold HereC.F.Q. 11 40/P&S/1448Fold Here
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