Review: 1924 Poetry Book, The Marble Faun by William Faulkner, Reprinted as Part of Centennial Special!

Centennial Special
The Marble Faun

By William Faulkner



Adolph Caso, Editor
Branden Books
ISBN: 9780828321921
219 Pages



Celebrate! There are many reasons to celebrate the Centennial Special 1909 to 2009!

· It features William Faulkner’s 1924 First Book – The Marble Faun!
· It celebrates the 100-year history of Branden Books!
· Photos of early book covers and publishing staff through the years are included!
· Back and Front covers showing the art work, Boy Fishing by Marjorie Very and Boston Scene by Randolph Brown! (shown above)
· A complete bibliography, by respective publisher/owners for 100 years!
· An excellent commentary on The Marble Faun by Nicole Starrett, granddaughter of Adolph Caso!

For poetry lovers and readers of William Faulkner, a total reprint of “a copy” of his first and only poetry book will be coveted! I thought it was interesting in these days of arguing over self-published versus being published by major publishing companies, that his friend Phil Stone, who indicated that he felt Faulkner’s work showed promise subsidized his first book: Perhaps we should all remember these early days when talent was supported by those that loved literature and the arts!

Here’s a short passage from the Prologue to give readers a taste of his book-length poem:

                     Why am I sad? I?
Why am I not content? The sky
Warms me and yet I cannot break
My marble bonds. That quick keen snake
Is free to come and go, while I
Am prisoner to dream and sigh
For things I know, yet cannot know,
‘Twixt sky above and earth below.
The spreading earth calls to my feet
Of orchards bright with fruits to eat,
Of hills and streams on either hand;
Of sleep at night on moon-blanched sand:
The whole world breathes and calls to me
Who marble-bound must ever be. (p. 12)

If I were free, then I would go... (p. 13)

May I just say that having the opportunity to read and add to your home library the first book of a Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize author is a rare opportunity!

Nicole Starrett, "Nikki," who is a Sophomore at Amherst College and granddaughter of Adolfo and Margaret Caso, was asked to write a commentary on one of the most important authors who had been published by Branden Publishing Company. Her highlights included that while Faulkner was a literary giant, he had never graduated from high school or received a college degree, but had, in less than a decade, churned out some of the best books ever written by an American.

Branden Books, which had been the Four Seas Company in 1924, printed only 1000 copies and its reception was "lukewarm." Fortunately for America he turned to novel writing.

Yet, Ms. Starrett states, that his choice of material upon which to write provided proof that his primary goal was to become an author. She notes that he is "unhesitating and precise in his use of language. His words stream freshly and freely, radiating unselfconsciousness that more accomplished poets pursue in vain." (p. 165)

Starrett concludes with a comment from her grandfather publisher when he points out "It is hard to imagine the discipline he had to have had in mastering the metrical structure of prosody which is more normally used by established poets than by writers without any formal education and writing experience." Indeed!

I thought it important to highlight that what has been published is an actual copy of the 1924 original "mottled green boards, with the paper label on the front cover designed by Marjorie Very, showing a faun with pipes seated among leaves." (p. 160)

Ok, I have to admit that when Adolfo wrote me that the book was coming out and that he was inviting me to the 100th birthday celebration--and that I was listed in the book--I was thrilled! To be part of an established legendary publishing company that has been publishing continuously a wide and diversified array of books, mostly nonfictional, that continue to be received in high regard by the public for 100 years, and still going strong, well, you've just got to be pleased to have been just a small part of their activities!

Get this once in a lifetime book, which features the reprinting of 1924 book, The Marble Faun, by William Faulkner for your personal library today!


And, by the way, please continue on to see pictures from that celebration I mentioned and also check out a poem written by Adolfo Caso as part of the exciting event!



G. A. Bixler

Moi Receives Kudos! How Cool Is That?!

Branden Publishing Company will be having a 100 year birthday soon. They publish mostly nonfiction. Adolfo and I met at the Chicago Book Show many years ago and he sent me a copy of his own book. I reviewed it and, since then, he has asked me to review many books published by him...

Soooooo, it was especially nice to receive the following in my Facebook Inbox! How Wonderful a Day is when somebody shares their appreciation!


Adolfo Caso October 17 at 9:14am

For several years, I have read Glenda's reviews on books which I have edited and written. It is hard to imagine how a person like Glenda is able to make her assessments on the worthiness of books and how capable she is in describing her assessments so that new readers are able to gain more information and greater enjoyment from their readings. Glenda is a senior reviewer.

ADOLFO CASO

Guest Adolfo Caso Presents Views on Literary Agents

Literary agents:

In the past 100 years of publishing, the editors of Branden Books and its predecessors have hardly used the services of literary agents, most likely because Branden continues to be small, rarely publishing or re-printing more than 15 titles a year. Exposure to literary agents, both domestic and foreign, has had little impact on the company and even less impact on the authors. Branden Books, however, prefers to work directly with new authors, but accepts agent queries as well.

Notwithstanding the limitations of Branden Books, literary agents have become a reality and a force within the dwindling numbers of traditional publishers and with the ever-increasing number of E-publishers. Being part of the publishing infrastructure, the roles of literary agents are practically established; and, for an author not having an agent would be like a plaintiff going to court without a lawyer.

Having a good literary agent is similar to having a viable passport. Agents open doors; they know publishing, especially the needs of individual publishers. They know how to and where to place manuscripts; they know how to improve manuscripts or make editorial recommendations on behalf of authors. Experienced agents, therefore, play even more significant roles when media publishers accept manuscripts only through established agents. The reason is obvious: publishers find it easier to work with agents than with first-time authors who have little or no publishing and negotiating experience.

Agents, like lawyers, however, can be expensive. Literary agents may require a minimum of 10% to 25% cut from an author’s royalties. They may also want to be the main negotiators and the recipients of incomes which they would then distribute to the author after they’ve taken their part. But, they do remain vigilant in making sure that all parts of the signed agreement are properly fulfilled.

Because a literary agent has an obvious stake in an author’s work, the interest of the agent remains high--the greater dollar the value to an agreement the greater the agent’s share. The agent, therefore, is going to boost his interest; by so doing, the agent automatically boosts the interest of the author.

Agents, like publishers and authors, cannot guarantee the market success of published books. In this trio of actors, however, the agent is the one who stands to profit the most. Whereas authors invest time in completing their manuscripts, and the publishers invest sizeable capital in what really is gambling on a book, literary agents place the least amount of time and of capital, and are assured of their cut. If the book becomes successful, the agents will continue to receive his cut.

Agents, like publishers, have also become more demanding. Because there are so many more authors seeking publishers, agents have become more discriminating in choosing authors. Authors, therefore, have to be better informed and prepared before submitting their works to either agents or publishers.

There are many resources that list all types of literary agents. The more traditional ones are: Writers Market, LMP (Literary Market Place), and of course, Google. After choosing an appropriate agent--one who specializes in specific areas--i.e. fiction, non fiction, travel, poetry, etc. then the next step is to make presentations using the guidelines spelled out by that agent. If, for instance, that agent accepts completed manuscripts, then, submit the completed manuscript; otherwise, if that agent requires only one chapter, submit only one chapter. If agents specify a percentage, authors would probably waste their time and welcome in negotiating a lower one. On the other hand, if agents state that they take from 10% to 25%, then there is room for negotiating.

Preparing manuscripts may be tricky, and both agents and publishers may have specific requirements. Preparing manuscripts in running text, however, is the safest. Authors often make the mistake of formatting the manuscript for reasons of appearance not knowing that each publisher has its own formatting programs. Re-formatting manuscripts can become costly.


ADOLPH CASO
Editor

January 2009

Adolfo Caso is the publisher of nearly all of the non-fiction books I review, such as Tuskegee Airmen, the latest! Although Adolfo is, as you may guess a busy man, he has agree to a bi-monthly essay of issues, as proposed. If you have questions or concerns you'd like addressed. Please submit them via your comments

And Thanks to Adolfo for helping us face reality--agents are becoming even more important members of the publishing process! Do your research before approaching possible representatives of your work!