CP/2/11 - George Greenfield (literary agent)
Reference code
CP/2/11
Level of description
File
Title
George Greenfield (literary agent)
Date/s
1988-1991
2000
2000
Quantity & Format
89 items Mixed
Personal name
Greenfield, George, 1917?-2000
Subject
Hill & Company Ltd
Scope and content
George Greenfield was literary agent and good friend to John le Carré. He was also Director of the Enid Blyton company.
Correspondence relates to negotiations for a new publishing venture with Tim Hill (of Hill & Company Ltd) which would include one particular best-selling author. This file provides much detail on the thoughts and plans of publishers and their UK/US relations. Suggestions are made for Wilbur Smith to publish in the UK through Hill & Company Ltd. Stephen King is named as being suitable for independent publishing. Primary correspondents include Tim Hill, Ian Chapman, CP and Greenfield. Greenfield discusses suitable approaches to various figures in the publishing business.
The correspondence seems to suggest a proposal from Tim Hill that CP, Greenfield and Ian Chapman (the Chairman of Collins) set up their own London enterprise, with Hill & Company in a minority role. Early negotiations mention Carolyn Blakemore and Alan Williams as possible co-partners; Mark Le Fanu and Irv Goodman are also mentioned in the negotiations. Greenfield sends CP a direct invitation to run a London based subsidiary company of Hill & Company. He was offered the post of Managing Director. (Letter dated 5.8.88).
In a letter from George Greenfield to Tim Hill (14.12.1988), Greenfield describes a Collins/Murdoch battle (Rupert Murdoch’s pitch to increase his equity of 42% and take over the whole of Collins). Greenfield suggests that if Ian Chapman is ousted in this way he may have some interest in this potential new venture.
Lengthy negotiations and exciting plans are discussed in this file but there appears to be no final business agreement.
As a side issue, Heinemann had managed to revert US licences in Wilbur Smith’s first 14 titles. This is discussed in a letter from Greenfield to Tim Hill (11.10.88).
Includes an obituary for Greenfield by John le Carré (2000).
Correspondence relates to negotiations for a new publishing venture with Tim Hill (of Hill & Company Ltd) which would include one particular best-selling author. This file provides much detail on the thoughts and plans of publishers and their UK/US relations. Suggestions are made for Wilbur Smith to publish in the UK through Hill & Company Ltd. Stephen King is named as being suitable for independent publishing. Primary correspondents include Tim Hill, Ian Chapman, CP and Greenfield. Greenfield discusses suitable approaches to various figures in the publishing business.
The correspondence seems to suggest a proposal from Tim Hill that CP, Greenfield and Ian Chapman (the Chairman of Collins) set up their own London enterprise, with Hill & Company in a minority role. Early negotiations mention Carolyn Blakemore and Alan Williams as possible co-partners; Mark Le Fanu and Irv Goodman are also mentioned in the negotiations. Greenfield sends CP a direct invitation to run a London based subsidiary company of Hill & Company. He was offered the post of Managing Director. (Letter dated 5.8.88).
In a letter from George Greenfield to Tim Hill (14.12.1988), Greenfield describes a Collins/Murdoch battle (Rupert Murdoch’s pitch to increase his equity of 42% and take over the whole of Collins). Greenfield suggests that if Ian Chapman is ousted in this way he may have some interest in this potential new venture.
Lengthy negotiations and exciting plans are discussed in this file but there appears to be no final business agreement.
As a side issue, Heinemann had managed to revert US licences in Wilbur Smith’s first 14 titles. This is discussed in a letter from Greenfield to Tim Hill (11.10.88).
Includes an obituary for Greenfield by John le Carré (2000).
-
CP - Charles Pick Archive
-
CP/2 - [Publishing]
- CP/2/11 - George Greenfield (literary agent)
-
CP/2 - [Publishing]