58 - A Self-Defeating Strategy

The central problem for Axel Sanciere is that Katlyst Brough, grande dame of publishing, having promoted his previous best-selling volume ‘Smash the Education System - Why the Zone of Proximal Development is a Teachers’ Con Trick’, is now less interested in his proposed history of Russian beverages, called ‘The Wygotsky Tea Years’. Samuel Quinine nods as the professor explains his difficulties. They agree that Brough is only interested in sensationalism. For a moment they consider approaching Brough’s arch-rival, the splenetic Melanie Grintclaw, but decide that this would be a self-defeating strategy. Tentatively, Samuel suggests that the professor might consider self-publishing, and that the infant genius Kolya may be of assistance.