Colin Haycraft, then publisher of Duckworth | 'The world is a peculiar place, but it has nothing on the world of ...

'The world is a peculiar place, but it has nothing on the world of books. This is largely a fantasy world in which the pecking order goes as follows: If you can't cope with life, write about it; if you can't write, publish; if you can't get a job in publishing, become a literary agent; if you are a failed literary agent - God help you!'