Salmond’s book

Just to clarify one or two misleading points made by Hugh Andrew, managing director of Birlinn (your report, 5 March) about the publication of Alex Salmond’s The Dream Shall Never Die: 100 Days That Changed Scotland.

It has been known for some time, and recorded in numerous newspaper pieces, that Mr Salmond was writing a book. Various publishers were in touch with Mr Salmond’s office about this at the time.

In January, Mr Salmond delivered to me the proposal to talk through with publishers, with a very tight time frame for publication in mid-March.

In a very open process I spoke to seven publishers, including three with very strong Scottish connections.

Due to the time frame restrictions it posed a very challenging proposition for publishers. Mr Salmond met with five publishers, including an independent Scottish publisher, and William Collins was indeed the company that felt able to take the project on and turn it around for a March publication.

Part of the joy of the deal for me was that William Collins has not only very distinguished Scottish roots but a continuing and substantial Scottish presence in Bishopbriggs, as indeed is pointed out in your piece.

Caroline Michel

Peters Fraser and Dunlop

London