My literary career

[Jezetha]

To Whom It May Concern...

I am a regular visitor to literary evenings in Amsterdam, organised by an excellent bookshop, called Perdu (in honour of Proust, of course).The theme last Friday (November 28) was 'radicalism in Dutch literature'. There were two speakers - a Belgian critic, professor of modern literature and editor-in-chief of an important literary magazine, called Hugo Bousset, and Henk van der Waal, a poet, who was in the news last year (in my country, that is) because of a sort of minor 21st century 'Defence of Poetry' he had written. I won't bore you with the details of what they said (or fatigue myself in trying to recapitulate...), suffice it to say, I opened my mouth during the discussion to pinpoint an important flaw - as I saw it - in Van der Waal's reasoning, which he had great difficulty rebutting (it had to do with the social and political function of poetry). This gained me some attention (and also divided the audience). Result - Bousset approached me, gave me his card, urged me to mail him, said he was going to read me (since 2000 I have appeared in literary magazines, all issues of which he possesses, he said) and offered me the opportunity of publishing in his magazine; Van der Waal gave me his latest poetry collection; a Turkish Dutch author agreed with my critique and invited me to a book presentation; and Perdu will give me the chance of reading from my work and explaining my views about literature.

Yesterday evening I received 3 mails from Bousset. He had read one short story and 'was impressed by its inexorability'. Today I submitted a chapter from my novel for publication in the next issue of DWB (Dietsche Warande & Belfort), and 3 hours later came the reaction which I regard as the most important endorsement I have had so far from someone in a real position of influence - 'Astonishing prose'.

In 2000 another excellent Flemish magazine published me all through the year. But this came too early, although it did serve as 'cultural capital' the last few years. The editors of DWB are all writers and poets; in January they're going to meet and decide whether to publish my piece. But I think Bousset's voice will carry weight.

[Nemonymous]

Johan, thanks for filling in the details about your literary career for your friends here. I'm glad you expanded from your initial notes in the chatbox. It sounds all very gratifying and promising. Wish you all the luck with it and please keep us informed.

Are you able to give us some examples of your literary prose in English? I know it'll be different from the original text but it may give us a flavour.

Interesting to hear of your debate on poetry.

And 'Perdu' is a wonderful name for a literary group (in honour of the great Proust).
I wonder if that is also the translation in French for the well-known American TV series about people whose plane crashed on an island ;-)

Congratulations, again.
des

[Jezetha]

Thanks, Des. Well, I have translated one story into English, called No Community without Enemies. You can read it here, on TLO...

J.Z. Herrenberg - No Community Without Enemies - THOMAS LIGOTTI ONLINE

Or - download the 'definitive' version, and print it out:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/zmmdtiradzn/J.Z

 

J.Z

 

. Herrenberg - No Community without Enemies.pdf

(Perdu - Lost... good one!)

	TLO THOMAS LIGOTTI ONLINE

[G. S. Carnivals]

Congratulations, Johan. Every avalanche begins with a snowflake... ;)

[yellowish haze]

Johan, this is wonderful news. Congratulations! I hope the avalanche will come down soon!

[Odalisque]

Congratulations, Johan. Let the snowflakes tumble!

[Mr. D.]

Congradulations in overcoming a great hurdle in your career. "No Community Without Enemies" was fascinating. Keep up the good work. I think that you are in good enough shape to jump through the rngs of fire that the publishing industry has set up for aspiring writers.

[sleepybutawake]

I wish I had a literary career instead of a bunch of unfinished stories.

Congratulations on your achievements!

[Jezetha]

Thanks to everyone for thanking me, or even going to the trouble of reading my story.

By the way - I already have a publisher (no contract, just a promise between, sort of, friends). But I am looking for a big publishing house in Amsterdam, because I think my (first) novel deserves the publicity and the greater exposure that brings you. I hope that being published in a prestigious magazine, reading and talking about my work in public and the completion of my novel will increase my chances.

Yes, there are interesting times ahead...

[Spotbowserfido2]

Three wags of the tail are in order, Mr. Herrenberg! I wish you the best of luck!