3. Incremental release of the Infamous ScrewType E-mails

Behind the scenes editorial discussions on the fate of a satirist

Midnight Satirist

Thanks to Mr. Sausage and the LeakyWits Files we find ScrewType slamming satire offscreen:

from Taylor@ImprimDeNature.com:

Woody, I’m very interested in this author's satire. I like what Samuel James said about parody being a genre that illustrates instead of explaining, sometimes while mimicking, exaggerating style. I’ve read Terry Lindvall’s academic, majestic God Mocks through and have notes.... Was astonished by his findings, and the plethora of satirists through the ages.

Satire is needed to season this essay collection so I suggested the author practice on his Substack. He does seem to have a talent for it. Satire is tricky and can be misleadingly deceptive: If it’s too dry it can be seen by some as straightforwardly serious, not satire. Or, on the other hand, heartless. So the writer almost has to label it, then reader and writer understand.

Comes right out in the style: Yes this is satire! To be effective in our culture it must be close to the edge, even extreme. Then every type of intellect can recognize it as satire. We should be able to say this is satire, yes, and what does this particular piece of satire mean?

But I understand your hesitancy. Irony may be too cold-blooded for me as well. And satire without affection seems holier-than-thou. Another thing: there doesn't seem anything else in them sometimes. No setting, character, yes and generally stereotypical, but the atmosphere seems void of anything but satire. So, for our wannabe, I will encourage the full-orbed approach.

Best, Taylor

from Woody@ImprimDeNature.com:

Taylor, I have read some Flannery O'Connor—not everything and not recently. Am not really sure what she's doing there and don't remember actually laughing or finding her stories particularly comic. My impression is of deadly seriousness. Mrs. May getting gored, for instance, hits too close for laughter... or comfort. But then O'Connor seemed to get something before dying, some sort of understanding missing from her other stories —In her last (was it?) "Revelation". Still no laughter but I was satisfied.

I did read and enjoy A Few Green Leaves by Barbara Pym because the satire is affectionate. Both the book and the somewhat silly village portrayed in it are redeemed by affection, as in Tolkien’s Shire.

—Woody

from head editor ScrewType@randompenguinsxian:

Woody, what do you mean? —Satire??!! You can't be thinking there's something here. Your examples, Swift, Brandt (Ship of Fools!), Voltaire? ancient satirists? O'Connor?! We couldn't possibly. You know this. We are not the secular publishers.

At IDN we try to encourage works of cultural yet current quality of the highest caliber. But do not forget. We are the watchful dragons. Let nothing past that ought not to pass. This is our obligation to the Christian message of life.

If we find it doesn't play we will have to get someone else. Some young editor who is... shall we say signal-able? After all, with such appreciation of subtle art as seems to possess Taylor—well you see —she should be able to understand if you handle it right The wannabe author is not right for us.

Satire? Puts the deal over the edge. Are you mentoring—or is she? Come to your senses!

Let's meet for lunch.

Phil

(See the last of the cache here.)

© S. Dorman July 2024