'I was once invited to contribute a chapter to The History of the Book in Australia project to be published in three volumes by University of Queensland Press. After flattering comments about ‘your acknowledged book trade expertise and experience’ came the crunch. I quote: ‘Because of the special nature and scope of this ambitious undertaking, no payment is available for editors or contributors. However contributors will receive an exclusive pre-publication purchase offer for all three volumes.’ That, I felt, concisely summed up the history of the book in Australia. No payment is available.'
(Introduction)