The Anonymous and TP - for Mark

[Matthew Cissell]

Hi Mark,

     Thanks for that very informative reply, it's something that I'm interested 
in knowing more about since I am fairly ignorant regarding the workings of the 
publishing industry.

    Let me add that my point was not so much about out embargoes rendering 
critics powerless (especially since they are an important part of the dynamics 
of the literary field) as it was about how this fairly recent publishing 
strategy allows a writer (& publisher) to maintain more control of their 
product's entrance into the market.

Appreciatively,
MCC



----- Original Message ----
From: Mark Kohut <markekohut at yahoo.com>
To: Matthew Cissell <macissell at yahoo.es>
Cc: pynchon -l <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Fri, February 11, 2011 2:16:15 PM
Subject: Re: The Anonymous and TP - for Kai

Matthew Cissell writes:
"Additionally, the use of embargoes on 
TP's novels since Vineland seems more an attempt to check the critics than to 
create an air of mystery. Publishers do do things to increase demand, but TP 
has 
a very solid readership and really has no need to try to reach a wider 
audience."

Being with a sister company of one of TRP's publishers [Mason & Dixon], I will 
suggest this about the above: what publishers are always considering with a 
writer of Pynchon's talent and cult-following is that galleys or Advanced 
Reading Copies
will not be read and passed around--their marketing purpose---
but instead be saved and sold, the less read and handled the more valuable. 

I know people who have galleys or ARCs of all of the later books---some of them 
are on this
list!---and many responsible folk had them to review and did....

TRP and Ms. Jackson clearly believe that a writer like TRP needs--must accept if 

unwanted--
attention from reviewers and critics. All serious writers must, almost all 
would say. It will
happen without ARCs anyway and late when you are such as TRP. 

Also, Publishers, with Ms. Jackson's nods and help, as all say, all published 
the 
books strong, trying to increase his readership, always aware of new 
readers---new
generations of readers--who might discover TRP's genius; as well as his earliest 

fans
who might spring for hardcovers now---remember GR was mostly distributed as a 
trade
paperback, with hardcovers for libraries and the able few. 

Printings were big; money was spent on the books. (One reason the later books 
have been 
so available in America very cheap in hardcover later was due to large printings 

and therefore
returns resold as remainders.)








----- Original Message ----
From: Matthew Cissell <macissell at yahoo.es>
To: pynchon-l at waste.org
Sent: Fri, February 11, 2011 4:12:55 AM
Subject: Re: The Anonymous and TP - for Kai

Sir,

    I opened and read your response to my post (Anonymity & TP) because 
I thought I might find some 

constructive criticism or useful comments. However, I am instead puzzled. Let me 



explain.

    Your answer to the rhetorical question that I used to introduce my subject 
seemed curt and dismissive. First, the rhetorical question (Die Rhetorische 
Frage ist eine Frageform, die keine Antwort erwartet.) was not the main point of 



the post, so why even bother with it? Moreover, if you're not interested, then 
why say 

anything? (By the way, in literary studies scholars often take note of what the 
author has 

read. You may think it misguided but it is a widespread practice.) It could seem 



provocative? I prefer to think something was lost in translation.

    Now for the more substantial part of your post. You say that you see TP's 
avoidance of the public light as a "marketing trick". If this is just your 
opinion, fine. However, if you are counterposing your position to mine than you 
will need to support your argument with more than cynical speculation. If you 
obtain copies of some TP's letters from the Harry Ransom Center in Austin Texas 
you will learn about the night in Mexico when he ducked the people from Time/ 
Life and that it was no marketing trick. Additionally, the use of embargoes on 
TP's novels since Vineland seems more an attempt to check the critics than to 
create an air of mystery. Publishers do do things to increase demand, but TP has 



a very solid readership and really has no need to try to reach a wider audience. 



It is not surprising to see others try to emulate this refusal to be seen (eg 
the Wachowski brothers refusal of interviews), and who is to say if it is a 
desire to maintain anonymity or an attempt to attain mystique.

    A couple more points. First, "hamster teeth"? Was ist los? I don't idolize 
TP &  I don't think people should rever him, but what about some common decency? 



Do you think that comment is cute? Is it in any way constructive? Let me save 
you the answer: no.

    Finally, I would consider myself very fortunate to make TP's acquaintance 
(though I wouldn't know what to say, maybe a word about reading practices), but 
I have no desire to track him down or whatever you think. Frankly, I don't 
understand the last part too well. 


    I hope you understand that although I don't consider your post a 
personal affront, I did feel the need to respond  to what I saw as impertinence, 


mockery, and, above all, counter arguments slovenly thought out. Do let me know 
if I have misunderstood something.

Sincerely,
Matthew C. Cissell
  



----- Original Message ----
From: Kai Frederik Lorentzen <lorentzen at hotmail.de>
To: pynchon -l <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Wed, February 9, 2011 12:16:26 PM
Subject: Re: The Anonymous and TP


On 08.02.2011 17:01, Matthew Cissell wrote:

>      Have you ever asked yourself what Pynchon reads or what news catches his
> eye?

No, never ...

> ... shared by Pynchon. If his avoidance of the public light and his Simpson
> appearance gag (only surpassed by having Professor Irwin Corey accept the
> National Book Award prize in TP's place) are not enough to support that, then 
>we
> also have a quote from AD that may be read as warning on the 'Wharholization' 
>of
> a person through the popular media.

Actually I see this "avoidance of the public light" more as a kind of marketing 
trick.
Might have been authentic in his early years when he still was shy. You know, 
the hamster teeth
and everything. But when Pynchon realized how much oh so mysterious reputation 
he was earning
with that hiding, he just stayed with it. I guess it's as simple as Michael 
Naumann once said on the radio: "If Pynchon would have done thousands and 
thousands of public readings like, say, Martin Walser, he would have lost too 
much time which he needed for research, writing and --- life". I mean, he gave 
away his voice (for the IV book trailer), those CNN pictures can easily be 
de-pixeled (plus: his way of walking is highly characteristic), the 
work-place-address of his wife and agent is just two mouse clicks away. All in 
all: You do not even have to hire a PI or someone. All you'd need  - in case 
you're
interested in meeting Thomas Pynchon as a person - is an airplane ticket plus 
some days of your time for the exact localization. He may would try to run away 
from you, though ...

KFL