Now about Mark Schorer.115 Doubleday is publishing a book about American writers since the war; each chapter is by a different critic, and the chapter about me was written by Schorer. Which is why I originally thought of him to do an Introduction. However, he now writes me that 1) he cannot do it in 6 months, 2) he won’t have anything new to say other than what he has written for the Doubleday book. Well, I don’t want to wait six months etc. Perhaps we should just forgo having an Intro. (though I can see a good reason for having one). Can you think of anyone that would seem both suitable (solid critical reputation) and sympathetic (likes my work). John Malcolm Brinnin is the latter, but is he the former? Perhaps Jason Epstein can think of someone—he seems to specialize in these types.116 Or, as I say, shall we just drop the Intro.?
I will discuss the lay-out and appearance of the book in another letter.
The reason I have not yet sent the “In Cold Blood” mss. for copying is because I have not yet recvd. the thermofax copy that was being made for me. However, it will be along.
Verluisant sent back the contract with only two changes to be made.
Will write again within the next few days. Am working hard. Tell Phyllis I love her—anyway, she knows I do. Love—
T
[Collection Columbia University Library]
TO BENNETT CERF
[Verbier, Switzerland]
14 March 1962
Dear B.
Today, under separate cover, I mailed you the “In Cold Blood” manuscript. Please do not send my copy of this until I tell you to. That is, keep it until I need it.
I am writing you a separate letter about the Selected Writings—this is just a quick note to explain the cable I sent you this afternoon regarding Mrs. Currey’s deal with the German publisher Kindler. This amazed me—to say the least. First off, I am devoted to my regular German publisher, Limas-Verlag [Limes-Verlag]. They have kept all my books in print, have worked tirelessly for me with the newspapers and critics, and succeeded in building for me an enormous reputation in Germany. I know everyone at Limas-Verlag [Limes-Verlag] personally and they have been wonderful to me. What is more, they will equal any offer Kindler has made. Aside from all else, Kindler is a very vulgar house—the equivalent of Bobbs-Merrill. It has not a single quality writer on its list. I’m not criticizing Mrs. Currey, I’m sure she thought it was for the best. Still, she ought to have asked my opinion. Whatever she has done, she will simply have to undo—because I have no intention of leaving Limas-Verlag [Limes-Verlag], any more than I would leave Random House. Not just for money, in any event.
Will send other letter tomorrow. I miss you and my sweet Phyllis—Love to you both
T
[Collection Columbia University Library]
TO BENNETT CERF
[Hotel Ritz]
[Paris]
5 April 1962
Dear B—
Fine. Out goes ‘The Grass Harp’—but I do not like the idea of coupling it with ‘Other Voices—’; I’d much rather they were separate paper backs.117
Alas, yes—Verluisant is down the drain. The whys are too complicated to go into in detail—it boiled down to the fact that, had I gone on with it, I would (literally) have been paying twice as much tax as someone living in the heart of Kansas. In a way, I’m not sorry. I hated the cooped-in feeling of being a tax-refugee. The hell with it. Now I can come home when I want to. And I will—soon as my book is finished, or virtually finished. Believe it or not, I am working on it every day here in Paris. I thought I longed to have a holiday from it—but the truth is it’s the only thing I ever really think about—that truly interests me.
Have been having lots of attention—pictures, stories in all the Paris papers. All of which I enjoy.
William Styron is here—though I haven’t seen him. Don’t know where he’s staying. ‘Set This House on Fire’ has just been published here, and the reviews were excellent.
I gather from your letter Mark Schorer did not get to read any of the ‘In Cold Blood’ mss. Do hope by now the Introduction business is settled.
Did you see the story in the N.Y. Times about Manuscripts, Inc.?
To get back to Verluisant. The check and content will be returned to you. Now (poor Mr. Harper!) a new contract should be negotiated directly with me, not only for “In Cold Blood” but also for the “Selected Writings.” In both instances, I would like the contracts altered to give me a straight 15% royalty. However, I no longer want the $15,000 advance on “Cold Blood”—at least not any time soon. However, I would like a $3,000 advance on the Selected Writings.
About Germany: Limas-Verlag [Limes-Verlag] have offered the same terms as Kindler. Also, would you ask Mrs. Currey please to continue working with my French agent Odette Armand? I like Odette, and she is a great help to me.
Gallimard is giving a party for me tonight—at Maxims (pretty jazzy, huh?). Random House never gave a party for me—at Horn & Hardarts or anywhere else. Well, a prophet in his own country—
It is cold here, and rather rainy; and I’m afraid it will be the same on Corsica—nevertheless, I set forth a week from today.
Hugs and kisses for my angel Phyllis. Love to you both—
T.
[Collection Columbia University Library]
TO BENNETT CERF
Celui, Corsica, 26 April [1962]
as from: Poste Restante
Palamos
Costa Brava
Spain
Dear B.—
Well, as I wrote Mrs. Currey, this Corsican experiment has not worked out, so am leaving here Sunday, and, in desperation, returning to the above address—a place I really do not like, but at least I will be able to get back on a proper work-schedule, and that is all that matters. I am hoping to have the book eighty percent done by, or shortly after, Christmas; and if so I will come home for (more or less) good. Take a chance on finishing it there. Anyway, I want to be nearer to Kansas. You know, I truly am homesick; nothing could make me lead this ghastly lonely life except this book. Dear God, it had better be a masterpiece!
About the ‘Selected Writings’: I would like to include one more story—“The Headless Hawk” (1946) from “A Tree of Night.” Please? One reason is, all the college kids who write me invariably mention this story. Also, I rather like it.
About a year ago, I wrote you asking you to send the complete Modern Library to: Patrick Guinness, 10 Avenue de la Gare, Lausanne, Switzerland. Perhaps the letter went amiss. Anyway, Patrick has not recd. same and he is very anxious to have the books. And, of course, he intends to pay for them. So could they please be sent?
My love to dearest Phyllis. I miss you both excessively.
Even under the present trying circumstances, have continued working hard, and maybe some day you will be proud of me.
So much love
T
[Collection Columbia University Library]
TO BENNETT CERF
[Palamós, Spain]
28 April 1962
Dear B—
Sent you a letter this morning, at the same time rcvd. your note about Mark Schorer (very pleased), and the physical appearance of the book.
About the latter—
(1) I would like a black cloth binding.
(2) Jacket—do you remember the jacket for “Local Color”, which I designed myself? It was certainly very striking and I would like to duplicate it here. Same colors.
About my little foreword—I will send it by the first of June. At the moment am deeply imbedded in a very difficult (and very exciting) section of “In Cold Blood.” Also, there is the difficulty of getting resettled in dreary, Ruark-ridden Palamos. Ugh.
The Kansas Supreme Court has denied the appeal, and the Judges are expected to set a new hanging date the first week in July. Of course that leaves the Federal Courts—but I understand the defense lawyer is dropping the case. So don’t know what will happen. The consensus of legal opinions is that some final disposition will be made within the next twelve months.
I had a really fantastic, 50-page letter from Perry Smith, who somehow persuaded a guard to smuggle it out of Lansing and mail it to me.
Love to you both—
T.
P.S. If you have objections to the jacket design just say so.
P.P.S. I did see Styron in Paris. I like him very much, I always have, and I hope he got home in one piece (drinking far too much). He loves you and Phyllis—but not as much as me: who could?
[Collection Columbia University Library]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
Poste Restante
Palamos
Costa Brava
Spain
5 May 1962
Dearest All—
Am so happy to have seen the last of Corsica (and so, I’m sure, was Napoleon)! Ugh. To top everything, someone at the hotel where we staying stole from my briefcase an envelope containing $500. in cash (my ‘emergency’ money), and I did not miss it until I’d already got on the boat. Do so wish Old Sincerely would trot over and make an investigation.118
Anyway, am back in Spain and working again, which is all that matters.
It does seem a tremendous age since I heard from either of you. Of course I know Our Alvin has been very busy giving heart-attacks to poor old ex-governors etc. And Marie, angel one, is that wretched Mr. Hope running you ragged?
Not a word from Nelle—though I read in a magazine that she’d “gone into hiding” and was hard at work on her second novel.
Think it’s very exciting about Dale [Corley] running for Governor. Do hope he wins, but I realize the difficulties.119
It must be beautiful in Kansas (Western Kansas) just now—spring at its best
