BILL QUICK ON the unfortunate state of the publishing industry.

Meanwhile, we’re thinking of doing a much-needed update on the space law textbook, but there’s a problem. The contract gives Westview Press — now Perseus Westview, intermediately HarperCollins Westview — the right of first refusal. But the phone number gets me a phone tree with no operator, and a directory that requires me to know who I’m calling. And everyone I worked with there is long since laid off or moved on. I guess I’ll have to just write them a letter. . . .