That's a letter about publishing?

I thought I was reading erotica!

that's rather sweet. And he does have a point. However, Moz is known as someone who rejects invitations and wishes, rather than grant them, and I feel that the simple fact that they stretch out a hand to him might be enough for him to turn his back. That's not meant as criticism either.

Honestly though, I think Moz should rather go the Noël Coward-route and have his memoirs published pusthumously. Which is hopefully still a long way off.

A plea like this is a rarity. 'Maharishi' has his devotees everywhere. Nice try: who knows?

will certainly not come out while Morrissey is still alive. If it did then he be hounded to answer questions about it. And you know they'll be questions! He would never! So he will write his memoirs to be published in the light of day after his death.

What a load of bum-snogging grovelling that was!
Very funny to read though.

I don't care if they publish it 2 sentences at a time on the wrappers of Bazooka Joe bubble gum.
I'd still be sure to read it.

somedizzywhore.com

The arguments are good and valid, and intellectually appealing.

But "the start of a beautiful friendship" ... he doesn't have to do that through the publishing house, unless he means "friendship with Faber & Faber". But then I guess these things also have an economic flipside. Could it be the heat is on in publisherland?

To be fair, I'd eagerly support a Morrissey book published by f&f.

...Straight from the heart...are often the best ones...who could resisit that...and from a publisher too!

Joining the Faber & Faber stable would be a great move for Morrissey. (Disclaimer: I don't work for ff.) It has a great history, has a tradition of putting content and authorial vision and integrity above marketing concerns, its publications look classy, and its offices are in a beautiful old building in the Bloomsbury heartland of Woolf, Strachey, Poppins, et al. Look on it as Moz taking his place in a very special, red-flock-wallpapered, brocade-curtained pantheon.

Record companies may not want to touch him, but it's heartening to see the world's most important publishing house offer a tumbler of malt to our Mozzer.

They really take care of their authors and they'd spare no expense for him. Also like the guy said, Moz would be in some excellent company; what's more flattering than being published alongside some of the greatest poets who ever lived.

Personally I'd like to see Morrissey clock a deal with Egmont Publishing and watch him race against Ben10, Power Rangers, Tumtum and Nutmeg.

...that Moz does not write an autobiography, in spite of the entreaties' of fans and publishing houses?

Part of the magic of Moz is the enigma and mystery of the man. 'You can't possibly know me', he tells us, so his poetry means somthing different to each listener, in the context of their own lives and experiences. That is why he is loved. We identify with the man we want him to be.

Remove this cloak and the fanatasy is gone and the spell broken.

In my adjunct library I have a shelf of biographies (or critical analyses) of many of the wordsmiths who have meant the most to me throughout my life. All the usual suspects are there: Wilde, Bronte, Keats, Poe, Bierce, Wharton etc., etc. The only musical types on that shelf are John Lennon and (of course) Morrissey.

This is a seductive letter. If he really has penned his life (or some abstract version of it), Morrissey would do well to go this route, with a serious publisher who understands his place in the pantheon.

Personally, I can't wait for the book tour. Is it rude to tackle an author?

Judging by all the conflicting stories of his career, like the andy rourke firing, do we really think Morrissey's autobiography would be honest? I'd love to read his work, but I think it would be impossible to take any of it at face value.

If a "book on tape" is planned, please have Morrissey read it.

I normally don't like books on tape, but hearing Morrissey's Voice reading his own memoir would be incredible.

I know I'd buy 50. On the first day alone.

Sincerely,
All of us

PS - Mr. Brackstone, that is a beautiful letter. If only record companies had such heart.

Where is the fun in that? I am sure Moz would love to see the tantrums and blushes that his scribblings cause - it must be done in his lifetime.

One point that no-one has made is that F&F probably won't be able to pay him a massive advance. Now, I'm not one to say Morrissey is greedy. But if he does choose F&F it would set his stall out as a bench mark for his autobiography, that it is a the work of a great mad.

Also as an Eliot fan, I'd love to have Morrissey rubbing shoulders with Prufrock, et al.

I once sent some poems to faber. They were sent back. Good, cause they were shit.

By the way, I love Moz, but on the same poetic level as Larkin? I would question that. Pop and Poetry have one big difference. Music.

Dear Mr Brackstone,

Oh what fun. I was thinking of Jonathan Cape - until they moved south of the river - because now and then, they also produce some good stuff as well !

There is bound to be some excitement in the literary world and this release must be one of those moments that occur from time to time. With the greatest of respect however, and I mean this with deep sincerity, but to compare a biography of Roxy Music to that of Morrissey - the greatest musician of the century and perhaps the greatist lyricist that the world has ever EVER seen alongside Lou Reed - is somewhat lacking in a sense of the history of music.

My very best wishes to you in what is going to be an interesting 'battle' ahead. But take it from me, it will be won
by style and grace,
by style and grace,
by style and grace,

And some amazing photos by Linder and Ian Tilton.

Ever,

Hazard.

What a way to woo the talent, Lee, baby! You go, boy.

Morrissey gets a lot of open letters like this, doesn‘t he? He’s gotten everything to visit my town on the next tour, come to my festival, use me on my next album, to the odd request for pen pals, autographs and sexual favors. I suspect most go unheeded, for our boy doesn't feel the need to grant request to strangers on the internet, however my mozmic powers are sensing that, because of their previous association, Lee may have raised a certain bushy eyebrow with his charming pleas.

I am familiar with Faber and Faber, for I was a production editor at a major-now-defunct antiquarian trade publication years ago and have seen their wares about at various book fairs. These guys do some nice shit; their stuff are very collectable and Moz would be crazy not to at least lend an ear.

According to the rumor mill our boy wants some big bucks for his autobiography and F and F are the underdog. If they want to compete, they would be wise to appeal to Morrissey’s inner creative director. Perhaps they can sweeten the pot with other incentives besides money that may perk his quiff. For instance, if their "love of the perverse" means sparring no expense for great production quality, limited-edition, perfect-bound Italian cialux purple/lilac/maroon covers with an ornately-stamped floral design, linen endpapers, gold leafing, pages typeset in Minion Oldstyle complete with ornaments and sold in a slipcase, then Gladys, hold my calls; we may have a winner. Don't offer none of that Print-on-Demand nonsense for the big guy; our man still reads by candlelight.

If they really want to tickle his pickle, they can offer Moz to design the inlay. Perhaps they can offer a Wildean book tour complete with live reading that will have the audience sitting like toddlers at the podium waiting for story time. I’d be there with my blue bonnet.

Truly, I wish them the best of luck and look forward to the autobiography.

I would like to say something. Even though the request by Lee (he or she) appears to be kind and filled with Morrissey's best interests so far... I don't think Morrissey is going to sign with Faber and Faber. I do think he.shall file it under "L" in the vast "Love" files sent by the ones like Lee over here for him to consider maybe for something even bigger and brighter.

God doesn't close one door without opening another.
This is applicable to Morrissey and Lee.Patience is the key.Good things do come to those who wait.

I say go for it, Moz. At least a meeting to explore it and talk with them, feel them out in person, eye-to-eye. Have someone else there, too, so you have another perspective as well of the situation.

And if you'd like an Author's reading/luncheon at any library in LA, I can hook it up. (Honey, you know who knows where to find me.)

Going on the 'books on tape/cd' idea suggested by Je Suis Julie, I would say, perhaps a downloadable podcast, like the BBC Desert Island Discs interview. Snippets in audio would be great promotion. Everyone would go 'cuckoo for cocopuffs' (expression from an American cereal ad) over that.

Cheers,

A hard back with black and white cover, also a fabric cover edition. Also a book signing at Harrods, And no awful american spelling.

e.g. http://www.nme.com/news/morrissey/49520 [nme.com]

He already published his naked painted ass...this book may be less revealing.

Micropenis

Morrissey is not a poet, he writes pop lyrics, there is a big difference. Comparing him to Larkin, Keats, A.E Housman - who he plagiarized in MLSOTRB btw - is insane. He is not in the same league. Whenever I have seen Mozzer's attempts at writing anything but pop lyrics, the results have been frankly embarrassing. I love him as a pop lyricist. End of.

Do you have a vacancy for a ... proofreader?

I am the Mary Poppins of proofreading. "For every job that must be done there is an element of fun," and I can't think of a more delightful assignment than proofreading Morrissey's autobiography. It'd be "practically perfect in every way," a labor of love. And then "spit, spot," my work here is done. :)