Roger Straus

摘要

Somewhere in most writers' imagina-tions-among the half-formed plots, steamy first paragraphs and swirling, sparkling adjectives-lurks a figure called the Gentleman Publisher. He wears a tweed jacket and bow tie and sits in an office crammed with great works of literature, all of which he has read. He is shrewd but understanding and, though he may not put much money up-front, knows how to push a book with all the right people. Settling in his deep armchair, knocking out his pipe on the fireplace, he is like a favourite uncle whose only mission is to bring an author to the world's attention.