Many people have asked us how we came to collaborate on a book, and how
we have managed our joint labours. The answer to the first of these questions
is that we decided (one afternoon in Oxford in 1982) that it would be a good
idea to write a book together. One of us immediately produced a rough
outline. We then began to work, and soon found that we had embarked on a
larger project than we initially envisaged because there was so little secondary
source material to draw upon. We realized that we would be engaged in
archival research on many subjects which interested us. Fifteen years later, we
have come to what we feel is a reasonable stopping-place.

As to how we have managed our collaboration, we have shared ALL the
work that went into the making of the book. We drew up lists of archival
sources, apportioned research tasks between the two of us, and exchanged
notes and transcriptions. In similar fashion we divided the book into sections
and were each allotted our share of the writing. We have exchanged ideas
and drafts and revisions by every means of communication known to
woman. We have carried on daily conversations by email, and at intervals
we were able to meet on the same continent--whether in Australia,
England, or North America--where we have enjoyed the hospitality of
each other's family and friends.

Looking at our final script, we can no longer determine which of us was
first to have a particular idea or to write a particular phrase, nor do we
wish to parcel out credit or blame between the two of us. It has truly
been a shared project, and as a symbolic expression of our indistinguish-
able roles--since we cannot superimpose our names on precisely the same
spot--we have subverted the hierarchy of the alphabet on the title-page.

For others who might plan on collaboration, we offer useful advice which
we received as messages in fortune-cookies (consumed at some of our
innumerable shared meals): 'Friendship will be the secret of your success';
'Retain your sense of humour'; and finally, 'Nothing is impossible for your
willing heart'.

P. C. and S. M.

Perth, Western Australia, and
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
March 1997

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