CALL ME SNAKE

If you turn your back for a second, you never know what will find its way to your doorstep or your email inbox. Just yesterday I received this dispatch from an editor (with whom I’m on a first-name basis)–a request to write an entry for an encyclopedia of note–which I’m reprinting (almost verbatim) because I think it may offer insights (or at least a rare glimpse) into the world of publishing that many people outside that world may not appreciate. As to what those insights may be, I can’t say. They may lie, as with beauty and other attributes, in the eye of the beholder. Anyway, here’s that strange message I got by email in the wee hours of last night:

“O.K. Charlie ____ [a friend] is doing it, now can I get you to write for free? Actually you’ll get access to the world history encyclopedia online, all 21 volumes. Probably a safer source to glance at than wikipedia though one never knows. The thing is they have a topic open on twentieth century theories of cosmology, 1945-present, or something like that. Only 600 words plus a 150 word sidebar. you could probably write them while reading Dr. Doolittle to ____ [daughter]. Then your whole family could while away the hours enjoying an online encyclopedia set. They can amaze their friends with fun facts. Memorize all the presidents’ names. And so on and so forth. I won’t be offended, though, if you don’t want to….”

Can I afford to do this, write for free? Absolutely not. Will I do it? Probably. Why? Because I like to help out a friend in need, especially when I can do that and read Dr. Doolittle at the same time. Also, I am, and always have been, a sucker for the offhand pitch.