Quotes by Jack McClelland

I have always believed in the principle that immediate survival is more important than long-term survival.

I would not employ an author to referee a Ping-Pong match. By their very nature they are biased and bloody-minded. Better put a fox in a henhouse than to ask an author to judge his peers. (in a letter to the Governor General about the GAs Literary Awards & his issue--among others--with the judging system, 1981)

It has been our experience that American houses insist on very comprehensive editing; that English houses as a rule require little or none and are inclined to go along with the authors script almost without query. The Canadian practice is just what you would expect--a middle-of-the-road course. We think the Americans edit too heavily and interfere with the authors rights. We think that the English publishers dont take enough editorial responsibility. Naturally, then, we consider our editing to be just about perfect. Theres no doubt about it, we Canadians are a superior breed! (in a letter to author Margaret Laurence, dated May, 1960)