Add MS 89414

Peter Hodgkiss published two books of poetry by the Canadian poet Guy Birchard: the chapbook Counting Coups ('Quick Job' no. 6: Galloping Dog Press, 1986) and the more substantial collection Neckeverse (Galloping Dog Press, 1989). The letters from Hodgkiss to Birchard record the progress of both publications and other incidental publishing matters. During this period, Birchard was first resident in London, then returned to Canada (1986-87), then lived in Dublin (1987-89), and then London again (1990-91) before returning to his native country. Birchard's complementary letters to Hodgkiss can be found in Add MS 89404.

(1). Hodgkiss to Birchard, 1985-86 (all autograph):

• 13 Sep 1985 (plain white card). Thanks Birchard for letter and cheque: '4 DAINTIES enclosed' (i.e. August Kleinzahler, Dainties&Viands published by Galloping Dog Press, 1985). Hodgkiss would be 'delighted' to see work from Birchard: 'I like your COLD MINE sequence very much - Tony Baker sent me a copy some time ago'.
• 4 Nov 1985 (1 sheet, with envelope, London address): 'I very much enjoyed meeting you & I'd like to do COUNTING COUPS as a QUICK JOB'.
• 20 Nov 1985 (1 sheet): 'I'll make small changes as instructed. COUNTING COUPS is much the best title I think. I'll probably do it same size as KLONDYKE' (i.e. Alan Halsey, Klondyke: Quick Job no. 2, Galloping Dog Press, 1985).
• 3 Jan 1986 ( 1 sheet): 'I've typed up your stencils & enclose carbons of them for you to check through & make any necessary corrections. I've also managed to do George Evans [Space, Quick Job no. 7, 1986] as well so chances are they'll come out at the same time'.
• 15 Mar 1986 (postcard): 'Have been v. busy helping to organise the Bunting readings & doing 2 books at the same time!'
• 3 May 1986 (postcard): 'I'm just about to get down to COUPS so will send copies by end of May.'
• 4 Sep 1986. Invoice (to Canadian address) for twelve copies of Counting Coups.

(2). Hodgkiss to Birchard, 1988-91:

• 25 Apr 1988 (typed, GDP letterhead, 1 sheet): 'Just a quick letter to say how much I've been enjoying NECKEVERSE. I'd be delighted to publish it. Next spring as we agreed in Dublin.'
• 10 May 1988 (autograph, Northern Hotel Aberdeen letterhead, 1 sheet): 'Do we have to omit ONE BLUE LETTER - as a postmanophile I like it (and an ex temporary postman to boot). OMEN I think could be dropped but reconsider the above - a publisher's plea!' [the publisher's plea was heard].
• 24 Oct 1988 (autograph, GDP letterhead, 1 sheet): 'ready for typesetting & all being well set for spring publication'.
• 8 Feb 1989 (autograph, GDP letterhead, 1 sheet). Neckeverse to go to typesetter very soon. 'Trouble is, I don't know if I could get proofs to you by 10th March. So, it looks like it's going to be a transatlantic job with subsequent probable delays.'
• 19 Feb 1989 (autograph, GDP letterhead, 1 sheet): 'Don't worry about the cover - I'll come up with something striking & simple to boot!'
• 2 Mar 1989 (autograph, GDP letterhead, 1 sheet). About to pick up proofs from printers.
• 10 Mar 1989 (autograph, GDP letterhead, 1 sheet, top portion only): 'I enclose fugitive proofs - hope they are the ones you meant.'
• 24 Jun 1989 (autograph GDP letterhead, 1 sheet), enclosing Birchard's first copy of Neckeverse.
• 15 Sep 1989 (autograph, GDP letterhead, 1 sheet with envelope, Canadian address). Asks Birchard about 'typos in the notes'. Refers to future publishing plans: 'I'm doing a book by Ric [Caddel] next year [Uncertain Time, 1990]. After that I'm not sure... Money is running out & I may have a bit of a "rest" for a while. We'll see.'
• 6 Mar 1990 (autograph, GDP letterhead, 1 sheet with envelope, Canadian address), supplying 'quick breakdown of sales of NECKEVERSE, which I may say, aren't at all bad! Print run 300. Sales to individuals (i.e. mail order) 26. Bookshop sales 70. Review copies etc 54 (This includes your 30 copies). So...about half the print run gone. This is pretty good for my books.' Hodgkiss has 'two books lined up by Ric [Caddel] & Peter Finch', after which he is 'not sure': 'I certainly no longer feel the compulsion to publish that I did in my frantic duplicating days.'
• 24 Feb 1991 (autograph, GDP letterhead, 1 sheet): 'Someone told me you were back in the Great Wen & I've been looking forward to hearing from you.' Hodgkiss has been 'visiting Ireland twice a year. Maurice [Scully] is back so I hope to see him next time.' There are 'about 120 copies of NECKEVERSE left [...] Not bad, by my standards at least!'
• 28 Aug 1991 (postcard, to London address): 'I've been enjoying reading the Garage very much.' [Birchard's Garage, Pig Press 1991].