Nine years elapsed between the publication of The Great Gatsby and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s fourth novel, Tender Is the Night, which went through 3 plots and 17 separate drafts before publication.

When Fitzgerald was nearly finished writing Tender Is the Night, he wrote to Maxwell Perkins, his editor at Charles Scribner’s Sons, that he would deliver the manuscript in a month:

I will appear in person carrying the manuscript and wearing a spiked helmet. . . . You can imagine the pride with which I will enter your office a month from now. Please do not have a band as I do not care for music. (September 25, 1933; Dear Scott / Dear Max, pp. 181-182).

I am delighted to announce that I am wearing my own spiked helmet tonight.

Just moments ago I sent the final portions of the revision and expansion of my 1998 reference book, F. Scott Fitzgerald A to Z, to my publisher, Facts on File. The new volume, Critical Companion to F. Scott Fitzgerald, will be published in late 2006 or early 2007.

As one of my writing coaching clients recently told me, “Writing is fun, but to have written is satisfaction.”

I couldn’t agree more.

And I love music, so feel free to strike up the band!

Mary Jo Tate

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Comments

Mar. 1, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by OreoSouza

Congratulations! How exciting for you.

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Mar. 1, 2006 - Yeah!!!!

Posted by DreweLlyn

Congratulations!

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