Dear Nabokovians,
I'm looking for a publisher of my "definitive" work
on ADA, the nearly 400-page-long article in Russian "Istina v
vine: razgadka spryatannogo v 'Ade' sharadoida" ("The Truth is in Wine: the
Solution of a Charade-like Puzzle in Nabokov's ADA"). I would prefer it
to appear as a printed book (being a rather entertaining study of
anagrams and a careful assortment of quotes from Russian classics -
mainly, Pushkin, Chekhov, Mandelshtam and Ilf and Petrov - rather
than a dry scholarly paper, my article can be read not only by scholars but
also by non-specialists, the Nabokov fans who are more or less familiar
with Russian literature). Unfortunately, I found out that the publishers
who may accept my "manuscript" want me to pay the
publication expenses. But, apart from the fact that I have no means for that, I
find the idea that authors pay for the publication of their own books
preposterous. Actually, I'm going to keep to Pushkin's and Nabokov's
formula: "write for the sake of pleasure and publish for the sake of
money." The pleasure I got from solving one of Nabokov's most tantalizing
riddles and writing one of my most interesting articles was
great, but, apart from the tremendous aesthetic bliss, I need some
material remuneration which would enable me to continue my Nabokov studies in
future. Unless I receive it, I'm afraid I must soon abandon the
Nabokov scholarship for something that will be far less pleasant but will
allow me to earn a living, while not leaving me much time for Nabokov.
I shall be extremely grateful to everybody
who can help me to publish my piece on decent terms.
Alexey Sklyarenko