Dear Silviano I read your note on goanet with interest and the issue of Goan books by Goan authors not displayed in public libraries in Goa does not surprise me. I went to a book fair at the Panjim Library and looked for a Konkani to English translation dictionary. There was every other Indian language available in hardback but Konkani to English/English to Konkani was no where to be found as though our language did not exist. I even telephoned the Goa telephone directory inquires and asked for the Dalgado Konkani Academy, the operator could not find the number.
You may recall when Sixth Night was first published, having enjoyed reading it, I felt I needed to share this excellent book with others as it covered the way we live and behave. In order to market Sixth Night, I sent you a draft flyer for approval and even asked what the postage costs were from Canada in grams to compare rates as to whether it would be cheaper to post from Canada or UK including inquires about warehouse facilities for storing books in bulk to market at village functions here in the London area and by post. However, I got no response from you at all, perhaps it is a Goan thing. Inspite of this, since 2004, I have tried on several occasions to create awareness of your book Sixth Night. Even as recent as the Goa Government Global Goan Convention held in London in 2011 where your friend had the book available and you will have read what I wrote about this episode on postings on goanet. I think in particular your book Sixth Night has been given a lot of air time on goanet which I am sure interested people will have inquired via www.amazon.com. Not that I was looking for any thanks from you or any commission, but I feel you have not even acknowledged my marketing of Sixth Night hence I am not surprised that the book is out of sight in Goa libraries as others may have had the same experience of being blanked out. Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 29 April 2012 melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com
