Balzac's Ghost

On the web, constant revisions are good. In print, they’re not.

French novelist Honoré de Balzac exasperated his editors by constantly updating his books, even when the type was already set. The printer charged him for each new set of proofs, so Balzac indebted himself thanks to his constant revisions.

When all type is composed on the computer, the deadline seems fluid. I’m working on a cookbook with a terrific committee. We made such a concerted push for recipes that now, months later, people ask if they can still submit their favorites. It seems like no big deal, right? Nothing’s gone to the printer yet. Just toss a few more words into the file, like salting a soup before serving.

In fact, it’ll still take time to organize the recipes and weave them into a coherent book. At some point we can’t accept any more contributions.

I’m starting to feel like Balzac’s editor, one with 21st century tools. I told the committee that if anyone else offered them a recipe they could call me on their cell phones. I’d shriek and gibber loudly enough that the would-be donor would put down the recipe and back away slowly.

By all means, update your online content as often as possible. For print, though, you have to be able to say, “This is as good as it’s going to get,” and mean it, or it’ll never get into print.

This cookbook, and the recipes, will be pretty darn good. Advance orders are available starting next month.