----- Original Message -----
From: "David Shepherd" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2004 8:25 AM
Subject: FW: from a writer


Please reply directly to Louise Dean ([log in to unmask]).

From:Louise Dean [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 13 September 2004 11:10

Subject:from a writer

Dear Dr Shepherd,

Hello. I'm a British writer looking for assistance with a book project in
Russia and I wondered if you would have anyone you could recommend to me.

I am considering writing a novel that deals with pre-revolutionary Russia or
rather Russia on the cusp of revolution c.1918, and draws upon life in the
small town or rurality. I want to understand the role of religion and the
impact of the 'system' of communism on the ordinary person.

I need some help - and I thought you might be well placed there to forward
my email to anyone who would seem to fit the bill. I hope you don't mind me
dropping in unannounced like this!

I'm looking for someone well grounded in the following;

1.An understanding of Russian culture - evidently I'm reading about this but
would like insight, particularly in those aspects which have endured from
the pre-Soviet era.

2.An insight into Russian Orthodoxy and its practise on a day to day basis
in rural areas amongst churchgoers of ordinary backgrounds

3.Russian Language. I speak no Russian at present, though I will try to
learn it but require the services of a sensitive translator.

I live in France but I am frequently in the UK and could meet and chat with
any prospective candidate to assist me in this work. This would be paid
work, of course, though I'm not sure how to structure that and would need to
discuss it with the candidate. I'm looking for someone with a lot of Russia
experience, ideally someone who's actually lived there and is familiar with
orientation. I would like to travel there with this person, to tour more
rural regions and would need someone who felt comfortable with exploring the
inside of Russia, probably on trips of two weeks at a time. 9I have my kids
to get home to.)

This would be a part time job and probably suit someone with academic ties
as much of the field work could be done outside of term time, specifically
next Easter and next Summer, and on the odd week here and there.

I think it could be an incredibly absorbing period for both myself and my
research colleague.

More about me; I'm a novelist, mother of three, currently on the Booker
longlist for my first book as well as The Guardian First Book award list. I
won the Betty Trask Society of Authors award for my first book, 'Becoming
Strangers' this year. My second book deals with Northern Ireland in 1979 and
comes out with Scribner/Simon & Schuster in May 2005. Two years of research,
a lot of time in Belfast - with former terrorists, prison officers, priests,
soldiers, mothers.... hundreds of hours of interviews.

So, I'm a serious, literary fiction writer with a sense of humour! I read
History at Downing, Cambridge 1988-1991, worked in advertising for some
years, starting my own agency in NYC, before I started writing full time.
With regard to research for my books, I tend towards the thorough.

If you know anyone who would be interested in this quite particular work,
then please do let me know.

And many, many thanks.
All the best with your work!



Louise Dean

www.louisedean.com