Reply ID: w6gi
Second Letter to Camille
mailed 13 June 2018

Camille, allow me to further sell you on the benefits of helping me publish French versions of my poetry and art collections.

First, you're a young woman. many filles have difficulty with properly asserting themselves with men. They're either too timid or try too hard and offend. If you can do with a "homicidal maniac", then you'll have confidence to deal with some desk jockey douchebag out there. Yet you will still encounter men who can't deal with women...

Second, it will give you credentials as an "expert" with English, as poetry and song lyric translations are tricky, as Douglas Hostadter discussed regarding his fine English translation of Pushkin (look it up). You must be as true as possible to the many nuances of my writing, the rhythm and rhyme, puns, wordplay—not always word-for-word literal. Such effort is why I believe you deserve co-author credits for translating them.

Third, you will greatly help expose the US's prison system to a Francophone audience—Canada, France, elsewhere. Your American-English is excellent, so I think you can do it, although you should let me check your proposed results and consider my input.

Forth, it'd help me a hell of a lot, possibly get outside supporters whom I sorely need.

Should you agree to do this, we'll discuss the cost you should set (should it be e-published on smashwords.com) and where to send my half of the royalties. There are businesses that would help me e-publish English versions so I could earn royalties (e.g. prisonlives.com), but I lack the money to pay for that—for now.

Lastly, please critique my writing attempts en française, so I know if I made a mistake and can fix it. I also welcome any criticism you may have of my essays. Telling me how awesome I am doesn't help me become awesomer. :)

Be well.