BIB_ID
316473
Accession number
MA 2519.33
Creator
Steinbeck, John, 1902-1968.
Display Date
1965 Aug. 14.
Credit line
Gift of Mr. Steinbeck, 1966.
Description
1 item (1 p.) ; 28 cm
Notes
Location of writing inferred from other items in the collection.
Part of a collection of letters from John Steinbeck to Alicia Patterson Guggenheim, written from New York and during his travels in Ireland, England and Israel in 1965-1966. Alicia had died in 1963, and Steinbeck wrote the letters in this series as a weekly column for Newsday. She was the editor and publisher of Newsday from 1940 until her death in 1963, and Steinbeck addressed his letters "not ... to someone who is dead, but rather to a living mind and a huge curiosity" (see MA 2519.39). Letters in the collection have been cataloged individually; see collection-level record for more information.
Part of a collection of letters from John Steinbeck to Alicia Patterson Guggenheim, written from New York and during his travels in Ireland, England and Israel in 1965-1966. Alicia had died in 1963, and Steinbeck wrote the letters in this series as a weekly column for Newsday. She was the editor and publisher of Newsday from 1940 until her death in 1963, and Steinbeck addressed his letters "not ... to someone who is dead, but rather to a living mind and a huge curiosity" (see MA 2519.39). Letters in the collection have been cataloged individually; see collection-level record for more information.
Provenance
Gift of Mr. Steinbeck, 1966.
Summary
Thanking him for his letter but refusing to commit to writing a weekly column for Newsday. Giving two reasons for declining the offer, remarking that "I write fast but the thinking that goes into it is slow. The idea of writing fifty-two columns (and this to me means essays) in a year is rather horrifying. It cold not be done well and I would not like to do it badly." Discussing his aversion to having his columns pre-sold to syndicate editors and publishers, remarking that they would have some preconception of the column and would inevitably be dissapointed. Further noting that he has been fortunate enough to reach the stage in his career in which he can choose to write "free from financial pressures or time demands." Remarking that he loved Alicia very deeply and discussing her sharp business practices. Apolgozing for his refusal, noting it would have ben very pleasant to work together.
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