Was 'surprised' to see the "Annual [of New Poetry]" described as edited by himself in the "Supplement" of this week's "Nation". This is a 'rather serious mistake': though Constable & Co. have been doing business with Trevelyan rather than all the contributors, that does not make him the editor, since contributors are free to send whatever they choose for publication, and his opinion as to who should contribute does not count more than the others'. The other contributors 'would have a perfect right to object very strongly' if they thought he was claiming to be editor, and if reviewers thought the book was his selection, 'as "G[eorgian] P[oetry]" was E.H.M [Edward Howard Marsh]'s', this could be 'disastrous both for the book and for [Trevelyan]'. Is worried in case the book might have been described elsewhere in the same way; thinks Kyllmann will agree that steps should be taken at once to stop this happening again. Asks for a correction to be put into the next number of the "Nation" if possible; would like to know if his name appeared as editor in the "Times" or elsewhere and whether the mistake could be put right if so.
62 Clarendon Road, Holland Park, W. - Is very annoyed with [Otto] Kyllmann: Sadler drafted a reply [20/59] to Trevelyan's letter [20/65] and left it for Kyllmann to read, but Kyllman sent it back without reading it and asked him to arrange things with Trevelyan. This arrangement has wasted Sadler and Trevelyan's time, and 'irritated [Sadler] considerably'; suggests that in future Trevelyan writes directly to Kyllmann at Constables (10 Orange Street), which will compel him to answer; Sadler cannot move without Kyllmann's authority. Will do his best to answer now: sends back his draft answer to Trevelyan's third point [20/59] as he does not have time to write it out; good that Trevelyan will 'act for the competitors' [recte contributors]; Constables only wish to retain copyright of the book 'as a collection'; comments on clause 9 and on payments. Advises Trevelyan to make any changes he wishes in the margin to the draft agreement and then send it to Kyllmann.
62 Clarendon Road, Holland Park, W. - Encloses the agreement [between Trevelyan and Constable & Co. for the publication of "An Annual of New Poetry" - no longer present]. Trevelyan will see he is named as 'representative of the contributors'; asks him if he can get a letter signed by the contributors giving their consent to Trevelyan acting for him, as this makes everything simpler and quicker; would probably be best if Trevelyan opens an account for payments for the book and divided the profits himself; the account would also of course be open to any of the 'authorised contributors'. The paper shortage is getting worse, but expects they will be able to get some: 'cheap novel paper that before the war was 2d is now 6 1/2 d!'. Adds a postscript saying that time will be saved after publication if Trevelyan communicates direct with Otto Kyllmann at 10 Orange St, as he himself only goes in occasionally.
Rejects Trevelyan's objection to the length of time suggested in the draft contract for payment of the contributors: contributors to an ordinary magazine are indeed 'paid by return', but they have no share in the profits nor voice in decisions about the magazine, while the publisher is free to include advertisements to help pay expenses and boost profits. Does not think the contributors to the "Annual" would wish to contribute to such a magazine, nor would Constable & Co. be interested in publishing one. Trevelyan is right that it had been agreed that the share of profits would be 60 per to the contributors, forty per cent to the publishers; apologises for not noticing that the draft agreement had a different division.
Feels there should be a contract between him and the other contributors if he is to act on their behalf. Comments on: copyright; the title, which was 'arrived at by [Gordon] Bottomley, [Michael] Sadler' and Trevelyan himself; the price. Extended discussion on whether the publishers would be able to refuse republication of poems in other anthologies; Sadler is 'very jealous of G[eorgian] P[oetry]', and Trevelyan has had to make it clear that from the beginning of the scheme the poets were agreed that their plan 'should not prejudice G. P., and that [Eddie] Marsh should have the right of selection' from the "Annual". Marsh seemed to accept this, but said it should be made clear in correspondence, as [Otto] Kyllmann would 'take the strict publisher's view'. Trevelyan agrees that Marsh should ask leave, and the poets should have the right to refuse, but does not think Sadler should be able to do so 'unreasonably'; this would be a 'simple enough' matter if it were not for Sadler's 'jealousy... and his anger at losing "Mrs Lear" [Bottomley's play "King Lear's Wife"] for the "Annual"'; Marsh seems 'quite friendly' towards the "Annual" at present. Comments on proof and division of profits. Does not think they should let Sadler ask for money to republish. There are seven contributors, and [Lascelles Abercrombie?] is an associate, so the free copies provided should be in multiples of eight.
Signed on behalf of Constable & Co. by Otto Kyllmann, Director; witnessed by W. M. Ray [?].
34 Percy Street, Liverpool. - Does not often have both leisure and a 'lucid mind' these days; is too tired at the end of the day [after munitions work] and is ever more respectful of Germany as 'only a very great nation could have so managed the affairs of Europe' as to get him out of bed at 6.30 every morning. Managed to give his attention to the agreement [proposed by Constables for the publication of "An Annual of New Poetry] on Sunday; Bob seems to agree with him on the main points. He and the others have 'no right' to ask Bob to act as their representative, but it would be 'an enormous convenience in every way' if he did; Bob must decide only on personal grounds and not consider the rest of them, as he has 'better work than niggling with publishers'. Promises not to sue him if he does act as go-between. Is sure the contract 'must not be signed as it stands' and needs to be 'radically' altered; the problems may be due to 'barefaced swindling, or... unbusiness-like stupidity' and since they are dealing with a publisher 'either is probable', but the root is that the contract does not make any allowances for the 'special nature of the publication' as an annual magazine containing material that is to be republished in future. Might be wise to consult the Society of Authors; is a member himself and could do this for Bob. Bob should get advice from Gordon [Bottomley] and J[ohn] Drinkwater as they are 'clear headed people', while Wilfrid [Gibson] is also good at dealing with publishers; otherwise, does not think it necessary to share the contract around once it is 'fairly settled', since the poets already know the sorts of terms they are getting. Does not feel that a contract between Bob and the other poets is necessary. The first thing to do is to get the contract amended to give the publishers a 'licence to publish our poems in this form for a certain period' which then expires and returns all rights to the authors automatically. Returns Bob's "Remarks" [20/59?], in case he wishes to send them to someone else; has pencilled some suggestions on the contract and adds further comments in the letter, numbered by relevant point in the contract: these include rights of quotation; what would happen if an "Annual" poem appeared in [Marsh's] "Georgian Poetry"; proportion of profits paid to the poets; authors' copies; sections of the contract which should be altered or omitted. He and his family hope the Trevelyans are all well; they themselves are 'fairly so - or fairly so-so'. Grateful for the intervention, 'so promptly & efficaciously', with the Italian Red Cross on behalf of [John Yates of Blackburn, see 1/67? In this case the intervention probably by Bob's brother George].
[Draft letter by R. C. Trevelyan in pencil on the back of the first two sheets]. Trevelyan tells [Otto] Kyllmann that Mr [Michael] Sadler has asked him to write to Kyllmann in future regarding the "Annual". Discussion of the draft contract with Constables: the division of profits should be returned to the original 60% for the poets; Mr Sadler now agrees that the contributors should have the right to republish after, say, a year, but says that Constables should be free to reprint the "Annual" for as long as they wish, which the poets object to; payments should also be made sooner than suggested.