that's interesting, Mr Caffeinated Bear, the binding on the copy I got
really does look like it will fall apart if someone sneezes too near it.

I couldn't agree more with you about the layout, especially the orphans,
hence my disbelief that someone has copyrighted it.

My astonishment that people have been doing 'day-schools' on the basis of
the book, without my, or I guess, Rob's knowledge, is growing by the second.

thanks to you and Jo for the card, got it yesterday. Trying to resist
opening a bottle of mead here, as it's a joint present to me and the Vixen
(currently occupied with her ducklings) and I'm not supposed to touch it
without her having some too. But the temptation!!!!

All the Best

Dave


----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger Collett" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, December 23, 2005 8:37 AM
Subject: Re: Absolutely nothing to do with Arrowhead Press (was Re: Robin
Hamilton - Pacts and Conjurations - New and Selected Poems)


> Apology gracefully accepted Dave, sez he who has now woken up and had his
first caffeine of the
> day.
>
> Re: Speaking words.
> The binding and cover materials are not bad, and the paper is a good
average cartridge (I've
> seen worse) BUT
>
> Layout is abysmal, with orphaned lines on following pages, especially on
Robin's Unferth and
> Beowulf etc.
>
> The choice of a sans serif face just accentuates the amateurishness of the
book, as does the use
> of emboldened AND underlined titles.
>
> And as for the cover design, well unspeakable..........
>
> Da Bear
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Bircumshaw" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, December 23, 2005 8:10 AM
> Subject: Absolutely nothing to do with Arrowhead Press (was Re: Robin
Hamilton - Pacts and
> Conjurations - New and Selected Poems)
>
>
> > Apologies to the Grumpy Grizzly Bear.
> >
> > My fuming about Speaking Words, dear Rambletone, is increasing by the
> > minute. One of the things I have noticed that it actually bears the
notice
> > of copyright for the cover and layout (! - exclamation mark mine) to one
> > Linda Young. What I also note is that Jonathan's afterword includes
thanks
> > to those who were 'tutors in the dayschools' related to the book, and
> > concludes with, I quote:
> > 'Thanks to the Department of English and Drama, Loughborough University,
BBC
> > Radio Leicester and Monks' Dyke Technology College for the use of their
> > resources and space. Thanks to Loughborough University Arts Centre for
their
> > help with publicity. And, of course, thanks to the Awards for All scheme
of
> > the National Lottery who funded the project.'
> >
> > Now, concerning this project, Rob, my involvement consisted of being
asked
> > to submit up to 4 poems, which I did, and 4 poems appeared (how did you
get
> > 6 btw?) but I discover that people have being doing workshops (paid) and
> > what not else (paid) on our backs (recall, you and I are the star turns
in
> > the book). Something is seriously wrong somewhere.
> >
> > All the Best
> >
> > Dave
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Robin Hamilton" <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: Friday, December 23, 2005 3:35 AM
> > Subject: Re: Robin Hamilton - Pacts and Conjurations - New and Selected
> > Poems
> >
> >
> >> <<
> >> No, I definitely haven't dared to look yet, sweetness and light, now
> > you've
> >> told me I am going to go round with a blazing fear of page 53, as well
as
> >> eating mince pies on Christmas Day.
> >>
> >> My point is, though, considering the amount of funding and support the
> >> project has, how do they manage to make such a balls up of it, I could
> > drink
> >> 20 pints of cider a day for a month beforehand and still do a better
job
> > by
> >> myself.
> >> >>
> >>
> >> Look, dave, I know virtually everyone involved in Crystal Clear -- I
> > either
> >> taught them, worked with them, or drink with them.  AND I was the one
(no
> >> fault to them) who got seriously screwed over +Speaking Words+.  All
you
> >> have to complain about is that they published four of your poems.
> >>
> >> Not to your satisfaction.
> >>
> >> I admit that +Speaking Words+ is mildly catastrophic, but then neither
you
> >> nor I deigned to get involved when we were asked.
> >>
> >> So I think I have more right to bitch and mumble and groan than you.
> >>
> >> One thing i +do+ know is that CC isn't in it for the money or the
kudos.
> >>
> >> A reason why, mickey mouse as it is, Phantom Rooster is run on a
> > shoestring
> >> is that I take money from no one.  I learned that lesson years ago in
> >> Glasgow -- the +only+ way you can guarantee to escape censorship is to
> >> control every sodding bit of the production process, from printing to
> >> distribution.
> >>
> >>         ... and you don't kick against the pricks.
> >>
> >> I'd rather light a candle than curse the darkness.
> >>
> >> Robin
> > --
> > This email has been verified as Virus free
> > Virus Protection and more available at http://www.plus.net
> >