To Anya

I am sending two notebooks of "markets" today under mother's name. These are the first two chapters, approximately 1/4 or 1/5 of the entire work. There are eight chapters in total, and I am now finishing preparing the 3rd chapter, so it is likely that everything will be completed in January, as Nadya is transcribing quite quickly as I write. Despite the significant reductions I have made from the initial rough draft, the size still ends up being considerable. In the first two chapters, according to my count, there are about 270,000 letters, i.e., considering a printed page as 33,000 letters, around 81/2 printed pages. The entire book will thus be around 35-40 printed pages - I still hope not to exceed 35 pages, as even this will make a very thick volume (560 pages). It would be desirable for the publication to achieve a large format and medium print, so that there are about 2,400 letters per page and more than 33,000 letters per sheet - this is more convenient because then there will be fewer pages.

Regarding the publication itself, it seems we must rely on finding a publisher. If you happen to be in St. Petersburg, you could consult with ecrivain. Would Mrs. M. Vodovozova take on publishing the book? I do not count on self-publishing because I consider the collection to have failed - although I have no news yet either about it or the translation! If, against all expectations, this turns out not to be the case, then self-publishing is possible, but it would be necessary to find a special proofreader, an intelligent one, pay them what is due, and make it a condition that each proofreading sheet is sent immediately.

Printing could (and should) start now (it should because otherwise it won't be ready by spring); further chapters can be sent as they are written, and I can promise that I will not delay. If a publisher is found, a precise contract must be concluded with them, making the immediate sending of proofreading sheets a necessary condition, as it is very difficult for others, except the author, to notice errors, for example, in tables; then there may be corrections and additions, etc. Ecrivain wrote to me in the spring that it might be possible to print parts in "Nauchnoye Obozreniye" or another journal. Of course, I am not against this, but it is unlikely that any journal would want to take such a large piece - it would be too unusual. It is more likely that they would take one or two chapters for publication. The second chapter, for example, and the first as well, form a completely independent whole. With these considerations in mind, we hurried to send the finished part immediately. However, if it is given to a journal, it is necessary to agree precisely on the timing of publication and to stipulate the author's right to publish the entire book now, without waiting for the completion of the article in the journal.

I am sending the preface of the book not for printing (it will probably need to be revised or supplemented over time), but to give an idea of the plan of the entire book.

I will send the table of contents along with each chapter. If it turns out that such a detailed table of contents is unnecessary (although, in my opinion, detailed tables of contents are much more convenient for the reader), then it can be shortened, leaving only the names of the paragraphs*. By the way, these paragraph headings should be set in the smallest pica type in the book, not in bold or italics (which is too ceremonial), but rather in the smallest pica type. This will take up less space and better suit the purpose of these headings. Regarding the tables, I also think it would be most convenient to set them in small type, so they take up as little space as possible.

I feel that all these details may easily turn out to be unnecessary, but at least from my side, everything will be done. It is quite likely that ecrivain will want or agree to take the matter into his own hands - the only pity is that he is unbelievably and incomprehensibly inaccurate in correspondence and, apparently, uncorrectable in this regard. Generally speaking, he even goes too far with his courtesy: for example, his wife herself proofread the beginning of the collection - a laborious and time-consuming task. Where was she to find the time with her many other occupations. Therefore, in such a case, it would be incomparably more convenient to hire (even on their recommendation) a special proofreader and demand from him accurate correspondence, notifications about the progress of the work, and the sending of each proofreading sheet.

Well, I must conclude. Please reply to me as soon as possible, even just to acknowledge receipt of the manuscript.

Your V. U.