From Todd McEwen to Bill Buford

Todd McEwen has contributed thirteen articles to Granta, the first in 1983 and most recently in 2007. There is a regular exchange of letters between the magazine’s first editor, Bill Buford, and Todd McEwen. The correspondence is testament to their close friendship and McEwen’s irreverent wit. The letters are transcribed below the images.

Dear Bill

Now I too must reveal that yesterday while Speaking on the telephone with you I was slowly falling in love. What is this power you have over us all? I have spastic children but for you Bill I would adopt a child and then mutilate him, if that’s what you want. I’d do anything for you, even contribute to every issue if such were humanly and humanely possible.

I’m tres chuffed that you’re going to print my story. Am in the process of searching for tonal difficulties, but perhaps I don’t see what you see. And what is Tone? A dead American actor with a beard. Speaking of beards, I went and combed the York archives for the Grauniad with your physiog. & future prospects. Shrewd, they called you. I’d sue.

I have a vauge feeling that I’m leading up to writing something about television (anti- of course). Would you be interested?

Well in a week I’m off to Edinr. (traditional abbreviation, not, E-burg’ as you so unceltically say it). I will have to look for separate work space which I fear is going to be a difficult and painful process.

What is to be done about the preceding?

With a wave

Todd

PS: Primary sorry as a sorry! What’s this other idea?

FRIDAY. Arrive, check in, look around, bum out. Introductory spiel by warden on ‘The Warden,’ by Trollope. Response to welcome by Tutors. First writing assignment given: How I Spent My Summer Vacation. 2,000 words maximum. Reteral of students to accommodation, retrial of Tutors to bar.

SATURDAY Talk by Ian and Rodd: ‘What Kind of Paper is Best for Writing On?’ (Ian) and ‘Selecting an Economical yet Effective Pen’ (Roddd). Assignments graded, new assignments handed out: ‘How I Spent My Vacation in The Previous Summer (The One Before the One We Just Wrote About.’ 3pm Tutors’ private cocktail phase. Dinner. Talk by WWWuford: ‘Dinner in Creative Writing.’ Response by Warden. Reading in Oak Lounge by Ian (from his novel, ‘Warden Dinner’), Rodddd (his new book of dinner-time poems, ‘Oak Warden’), and Wuh-Wuh-Wuh-Wuh-Wuford (from his screenplay/opera libreatto, ‘Or Shall We Eat?’). Writing assignment: ‘What happened during dinner?’ 30,000 words.

SUNDAY Tutors awakened by angered students jumping on beds. Early liquor call (Tutors only). Talk by WWW: ‘Why You Are All A Nasty Unpublishable Lot.’ (Note: Ian and Roddddd may become abusive or somnolent.) Response by Warden (‘The Bar is Shut.’). Departure of Tutors.