Part of what I told him: "At the time I was writing that book (c1980), I thought I might be the only person in the world ever to take an interest in what I was writing, but at the same time I was determined to make it as accessible as possible to readers.... I probably believed that if, in reading the book, readers came to have trust in my knowledge and authority about the subject, they would hardly need the footnotes. And if they did not, footnotes would not convince them."
Meanwhile, Sarah emailed from western New York. She sorts and identifies donated items for a charity, and she wrote: "I have this odd Canadian item that I just can’t seem to find a thing on. I’m hoping you can help. I’m attaching a photo. The words say “New Ontario Canada” with the number 52 in the middle. Underneath it says “Canada Overseas”. I couldn’t find any reference anywhere to “New Ontario”. Dimensions are about 3” x 2”."
I referred Sarah to the experts at the Canadian War Museum -- but I'm open to suggestions.
Sarah got in touch with me because www.christophermoore.ca is one of the top sites to come up if you Google "Canadian" and "history" and words like that. Scott's query demonstrates how much more easily authors can hear from their readers now. And after I mentioned here that Louisbourg Portraits was among the 100 Great Books of McClelland & Stewart's hundred years 1906-2006, voters at www.mcclelland.com/100years helped push it to #10 on that list's popularity ranking.
We hear websites and blogs are simply for self-expression. But I find they are a great way to be open to commentary I'd never otherwise hear. Thanks to all (I used to say "both of you') who check in.
