Early printers making a rule on what constitutes a book have agreed on a certain set of rules and unfortunately, fledgling wordsmith Georges Heilman's supposed new literary enterprise has been categorized as a pamphlet.
He's been going around the village telling everyone he is working on something creative and that he is an "author of a tale" but he was taken down a few pegs when it fell well under the customary 49 pages to be considered a "book."
Yes, everyone at the printing shop agrees that it is an instrument of communication and uses writing to convey meaning, but disagree if the work can be widely published for tangible circulation.
Heilman assures him this sketch is for adults with leisure time.
Heilman is calling it a "short storie" but there is some confusion as to what the marketability of something like that might be. Perhaps it could be a broadside?
Also, some printers say the work might be "too political" and therefore, dangerous to print more than a few hundred or so. Others in the shop who can actually understand what Heilman has given them believe the man is a crazed lunatic and the words are nothing but drivel.
Furthermore, there are perhaps some themes that may or may not be religious, and outside of the confines of the Bible, those in power might deem it a work of heresy.
Actually, the more they think about it, it could probably be nothing more than a free tract, possibly to be handed out for free at the next public execution or left for nobility in the public loo.
Alas, it will never sell in Frankfurt.
Oof.
Heilman is now looking for someone who might help him get his words out to the larger public, but without a big financial backer, isn't sure how he will be able to market his imaginary yarn.
"It's a clever little tale of folk," said lead press strainer Conrad Gottingen. "Sure, it is nothing more than a fictitious lie, but it could be completed in a single sitting, so that's interesting."
One typesetter named Otto believed he could ascertain some meaning from the letters, and liked that it was a self-contained incident that inspired a feeling or mood within him.
"It was like a fable or myth, but with a relatable, realistic person at the center," said Otto. "Human actions taking place in an imaginary history like ours. Not a miracle or legend, but something else."
"Bah," said master printer Erhard Ratdolt. "this cyclopaedia isn't worth the platen jobber it was printed on."
He continued. "A tale for children? With no animals or fairies?"
Heilman assures him this sketch is for adults with leisure time.
"Leisure? Like time...that's free?" laughed a man named Fritz.
The shop rang with the laughter of men used to working 15- hour days.
Heilman took what copies of his story he had and decided he would post them for free, nailing them to the doors where the townspeople would congregate.
"I'll meself-publish them," thought Heilman.