APW/2 - Peter Dickinson
Reference code
APW/2
Level of description
Series
Title
Peter Dickinson
Date/s
1984-1993
Quantity & Format
1 box
Personal name
Dickinson, Peter, 1927-2015
System of arrangement
Chronological, in reverse order.
Scope and content
Peter Dickinson (PD) is a prolific English author and poet, best known for children’s books and detective stories. He won the Carnegie medal from the Library Association for TULKU (1979) and CITY OF GOD (1980); and the Crime Writer’s Golden Dagger twice. He was awarded the O.B.E. in 2009 for services to literature.
These papers include correspondence with literary agencies Georges Borchardt, Inc. and AP Watt. Correspondence relates to agreements, licences, royalties, rights, payments, earnings and transactions.
AP Watt requests that Blackie & Son Ltd revert rights in THE IRON LION and the MOLE HOLE. Staff at Blackie Children’s Books ask for more time as they work out their publication programme within the Penguin Group, 12/6/91 – 16/1/92.
AP Watt requests from [Curtis Brown, NY] the Pantheon statements for POISON ORACLE and LIVELY DEAD, 21/11/91 - 12/12/91.
International Polygonics send to PD copies of THE GLASS SIDED ANTS’ NEST. Correspondence is with AP Watt, Borchardt and PD, 14/10/91 – 2/12/91.
Victor Gollancz Ltd makes an offer for A BONE FROM A DRY SEA. PD wishes to regard Canada as part of the American rather than British territory and therefore he asks that the offer stands without Canada. Gollancz agrees but only for this instance. Letters lament the long delays taken by Gollancz in signing their contracts. A copy of the agreement is included, 17/7/91 – 25/11/91.
Gollancz makes an offer to publish MERLIN DREAMS as part of their trade paperback list. The offer is accepted by PD, 14/11/91 – 18/11/91.
Anne Borchardt writes to PD saying that she still awaits contracts for TULKU from Dell; and George Nicholson had not made an offer for TIME AND THE CLOCK MICE, ETC., 14/11/91.
Correspondence between AP Watt and Gollancz regarding the trade paperback of CITY OF GOLD. Houghton Mifflin takes this on for the US market, to be published under the ‘Otter’ imprint, 16/10/91 – 5/11/91.
Correspondence between AP Watt and Borchardt re the deal with Transworld for the UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada but with Europe exclusively, for TIME AND THE CLOCK MICE ETC., 23/10/91 - 24/10/91.
PD accepts Gollancz’ offer for the UK rights in A BONE FROM A DRY SEA, 16/8/91 – 24/9/91.
Request to Gollancz for a copy of the agreement with Heinemann Educational Books for THE DAY I SHOT MY DAD. Also a request for a copy of the agreement for paperback rights in AK with Transworld. Canadian rights were sold separately to Dell, 23/1/91 – 3/9/91.
An offer from ISIS (Bodley Head) for the purchase of large print rights in SKELETON-IN-WAITING, 8/11/90 – 27/7/91.
Details of PD’s whereabouts and his address whilst in Maine, USA, 20/8/91.
Negotiations and draft of a contract, 21/4/91, with Mysterious Press for PLAY DEAD, as well as a schedule of publishers’ territories for the book, 28/2/91 – 11/7/91. Includes a letter from Hilary Rubinstein (AP Watt) to Anne Borchardt, 28/2/91, referring to a two-book contract from Mysterious Press and mentioning that PD had never accepted a commission for an unwritten book. Also mentions Otto Penzler and Bill [Molloy/Malloy?].
Internal AP Watt memo asks for any note on the sale by Gollancz/Transworld to Dell of Canadian paperback rights in EVA, [undated].
Internal AP Watt memo states that PD has been nominated for a new Writers Guild Award, 16/8/91.
Note from PD to Hilary Rubinstein listing all PD’s awards, prizes and medals, [1991?].
Internal AP Watt memo asks for a list of all possible titles by PD which could be reverted in order to free British and US rights “because sales are low”, 26/6/91. Attached is a list of the publication statuses for PD’s titles.
Correspondence with ISIS Large Print Books and Audio Books regarding the position with the titles PERFECT GALLOWS, HINDSIGHT, KING AND JOKER and SKELETON-IN-WAITING, 1/10/90 – 14/6/91.
Letter from Wayne Anderson to AP Watt regarding the extraction of monies owed for the film deal with Rankin Bass for a FLIGHT OF DRAGONS, 3/6/91.
A memo mentions that Quentin [Blake] was looking at doing illustrations for PD’s ESPECIALLY ETC. (internal AP Watt memo, 27/3/91). A new title was also being considered: TIME AND THE CLOCK MICE, ETCETERA (note from PD to Hilary Rubinstein, 22/5/91).
The manuscript of PLAY DEAD is sent by AP Watt to Viking. Andre Schiffrin (Random House) is reported as not doing this kind of book on his list. Copies of the book are given to publishers Tom McCormack and Larry Ashmead. Also mentioned in Hilary Rubinstein’s letter to Larry Ashmead is Steve Citron’s THE MUSICAL FROM THE INSIDE OUT and A GREEN HISTORY OF THE WORLD by Clive Ponting, 22/1/91 – 5/2/91.
Memo, Clarissa Rushdie to Rod Hall regarding an approach by Hick Communications for PD to write scripts for children’s television (AP Watt internal memo, 12/2/91).
Details of PD’s short story for a Heinemann collection: BEWARE BEWARE; a story much admired by Puffin: THE SPRING; and a short story for a Guardian compilation published in book form: BARKER (AP Watt internal memo, 22/2/91).
Photocopied reviews of AK: The Independent, 19/1/91 and Sunday Times, 20/1/91.
Copy of a Gollancz’ royalty statement for the sale to Dell of Canadian rights in EVA, 11/12/90 – 18/1/91.
Draft agreement between PD and the Random Century Group on behalf of the Bodley Head for PLAY DEAD. Editorial notes to PD [from Jill Black, Bodley Head?] on PLAY DEAD. Correspondence between Clarissa Rushdie (AP Watt) and Jill Black (Bodley Head) concerning the contract, 27/9/90 – 9/1/91.
Hilary Rubinstein tells Anne Borchardt of the offer made by Bodley Head and Arrow for PLAYING [i.e. PLAY] DEAD. Bodley Head was given exclusive rights in Europe, 19/11/90 – 27/11/90.
Letter from PD to Linda [Shaughnessy?] “that’s welcome news about the Diogenes edition of ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE.” PD was also slightly concerned about the foreign language translation in AK, 24/11/90.
Correspondence with AP Watt, Gollancz and PD regarding the paperback reissue of A BOX OF NOTHING by Mammoth. Complimentary copies of the old Magnet edition are offered to PD, 24/10/90 – 20/11/90.
A letter by Hilary Rubinstein to Anne Borchardt announcing Dickinson’s win of the Whitbread Award for the best children’s book of the year, 6/11/90.
Correspondence between AP Watt and Gollancz on the agreement with Puffin for the renewal of the paperback licence in THE GIFT, 18/12/89 – 21/9/90.
Gollancz announces its publishing of AK on 11/10/90, (letter 20/9/90).
Letters from PD to Anne Borchardt and Hilary Rubinstein in which he gives his impressions of his latest submission PLAY DEAD. PD had also written to Andre Schiffrin explaining his reluctance to change publisher. He tells Anne Borchardt “I’d rather have sympathetic editors than pots of money”, 14/9/90 – 18/9/90.
Photocopied book review of AK by Stephanie Nettell, The Bookseller, 7/9/90.
Correspondence with Anne Borchardt regarding payment of the advance due from International Polygonics for the four DETECTIVE PIBBLE titles, and the amount due from Delacorte for delivery of AK, 30/7/90 – 14/8/90.
Correspondence whereby PD accepts an agreement made by Pantheon to Thorndike for large print rights in SKELETON IN WAITING, 7/2/90 – 8/8/90.
A sale agreement letter from Pantheon Books for PD to purchase paperback copies of SLEEP AND HIS BROTHER, 6/8/90.
PD asks after a copy of the television series of THE GIFT by Red Rooster [Films Ltd], 23/7/90.
Correspondence regarding an offer and subsequent agreement from George Nicholson (Dell) for AK (Delacorte imprint). Mention is also made here of an offer from Macmillan for June Goodfield’s book THE PLANNED MIRACLE, 23/1/90 – 2/7/90.
Gollancz expresses a wish to revert rights in CHANCE, LUCK AND DESTINY, 21/6/90 – 28/6/90.
Correspondence with Anne Borchardt regarding agreements with International Polygonics for the DETECTIVE PIBBLE novels, 16/8/89 – 18/6/90.
Gollancz reports having received an offer from Verlag St Gabriel for German translation rights in CITY OF GOLD, 4/6/90 – 10/7/90.
Correspondence between Olga Litowinsky (Simon and Schuster Ltd) and AP Watt. Litowinsky expresses an interest in working with PD. They had previously worked together when Litowinsky was with Delacorte. Mention is also made of the author Bob Shaw, 12/3/90 – 12/6/90.
Constable Publishers show an interest in adding PD to their list; a joint venture paperback agreement with Arrow would ensure that PD gets full royalties, 9/5/90.
Correspondence relating to the Dell (Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group Inc.) offer for an omnibus edition of THE CHANGES TRILOGY, 18/10/89 – 16/4/90. A draft agreement dated 31/7/84 lists the trilogy as THE WEATHERMONGER, HEARTSEASE and THE DEVIL’S CHILDREN.
Letter from AP Watt asking Curtis Brown, NY to put reversion procedures in hand for KING AND JOKER, 30/3/90.
A letter from Nora Press reverts the rights in IN THE SHADOW OF KING’S, 22/3/90.
Correspondence regarding the agreement with Clio Press for US large print rights in HINDSIGHT, 9/1/90 – 22/3/90.
Correspondence with Gollancz re Puffin’s licence in the paperback rights of THE SEVENTH RAVEN, 20/2/90 – 15/3/90.
Details of the television broadcasting of THE GIFT on 28/3/90.
Correspondence on royalties for THE FLIGHT OF DRAGONS. Correspondence is primarily with Harper & Row and Gollancz, 1/4/85 – 2/3/90.
Enquiries by AP Watt on the licence held by Arrow Books for KING AND JOKER, 22/2/90. A list of earnings is attached.
Correspondence with Chris Kloet (Gollancz) re agreement with Gollancz for AK, 21/11/89 – 7/2/90.
Jeff Hoover (Curtis Brown, NY) liaises with Viking on the reversion of rights in THE GLASS-SIDED ANT’S NEST, 31/10/89 – 31/1/90.
Review by Coral Lansbury of SKELETON-IN-WAITING, New York Times Book Review, 31/12/89.
Details of a conversation with Chris Kloet concerning PD’s writing of a story for the National Trust based on a house with a particularly fine rose garden he was keen on, 19/12/89.
Correspondence regarding an agreement with International Polygonics for the four DETECTIVE PIBBLE titles: ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, THE LIZARD IN THE CUP, THE SEAL and SKIN DEEP, 16/8/89 – 18/6/90. A list of the US Publishers and their rights in these stories are outlined in a letter from Clarissa Rushdie, 18/9/89.
A request to Gollancz to revert the rights in THE GIFT to the author, 15/3/89 – 1/12/89.
Correspondence between AP Watt and Borchardt regarding a contract and submission of an afterword to TOBY TYLER by James Oris, 7/11/88 – 29/11/89.
Correspondence concerning the Bodley Head’s enquiry on the reverting of rights in THE LAST HOUSE-PARTY. Details of Arrow Books’ plans for re-issue are included, 14/11/88 – 27/11/89.
Correspondence with Gollancz relating to licences and royalties for WEATHERMONGER, 18/9/89 – 16/11/89.
THE PERFECT GALLOWS
Correspondence between PD, AP Watt and Georges Borchardt on the Isis/Clio agreement for PERFECT GALLOWS. The agreement for HINDSIGHT is also mentioned here, 7/5/90 – 24/5/90.
Distribution rights in the US for ISIS Audio Books (a division of CLIO Press Ltd), of PERFECT GALLOWS and HINDSIGHT, 15/11/89; 7/12/89.
Anne Borchardt provides details of a publishing offer from International Polygonics for PERFECT GALLOWS, 23/5/88 – 15/11/88.
Correspondence with Clio Press for audio rights in PERFECT GALLOWS, 18/3/88-27/4/88.
Correspondence with the Bodley Head announcing their contract with Arrow Head for the paperback rights in the Mysterious Press imprint of the PERFECT GALLOWS, 31/8/87-26/2/88.
Advances statement for PERFECT GALLOWS, 9/2/88. Review of PERFECT GALLOWS, 28/1/88. A note from Georges Borchardt on the licensing of book club rights in North America for PERFECT GALLOWS, 15/9/87.
*****
Anne Borchardt comments on Nan Talese’s (Doubleday) enthusiasm for PD’s work. Anne thought it unlikely that PD would want to leave Pantheon, 5/10/89.
List of licence expiry dates for young adult (mostly Puffin) paperbacks (via Gollancz), 27/9/89.
Correspondence between AP Watt and Gollancz regarding payment of a refresher advance by Penguin for TULKU, 27/10/88 – 8/9/89.
PD is shortlisted for two Library Association awards, for EVA - Carnegie medal; for MERLIN DREAMS – Kate Greenaway prize. Anne Borchardt writes “too bad that Peter didn’t get either one” 16/5/89 – 11/7/89.
Letter of decline from Mysterious Press (Arrow Books Ltd) for the publication in paperback of A SUMMER IN THE TWENTIES and GREEN GENE. “Both books are well out of the mainstream of crime fiction and we would therefore have to work very hard to sell sufficient numbers in paperback.” Heywood Books also declined “these two books are really too litereary [sic] for our readership”, 23/2/89 – 21/6/89.
Sale of exclusive paperback reprint rights to Dell Publishing for THE SEVENTH RAVEN, 27/1/87 – 19/6/89.
Draft agreements and correspondence on exclusive rights given to the Bodley Head for SKELETONIN-WAITING, Jan 1987 – 5/6/89.
Jeff Hoover (Curtis Brown, NY) explains the position on sales and reversion of rights regarding GREEN GENE and ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, 27/2/89 – 22/5/89.
Details of PD’s sister’s residential properties in London and Skiathos, Greece which she would like to rent, 29/3/89.
The Bodley Head confirm Arrow’s position with regards to their stock of HINDSIGHT, 15/2/89 – 16/3/89.
Photocopied review by Neil Philip of EVA, TLS, 3/3/89.
Correspondence with ISIS Audio Books for audio rights in HINDSIGHT, 17/1/89 – 9/3/89.
Arrow Books sends a Jacket for KING & JOKER, 11/1/89.
Gollancz provides details of the extract from CITY OF GOLD which appears in FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CLUBHOUSE magazine, 31/10/88 – 7/11/88.
Short extracts written by Dickinson, 13/10/88. Earlier that year, in May 1988, Dickinson’s wife, Mary Rose, had taken her life. The extracts are sent to Hilary Rubinstein and Dickinson writes that he’d like to see them published. They are dark passages and refer to illness and suicide. PD writes: “I wouldn’t read them at a point when you’re feeling at all emotionally low.”
Arrow Books reconsiders the jackets For THE LIVELY DEAD, DEATH OF A UNICORN, THE LIZARD IN THE CUP and PERFECT GALLOWS, 15/7/88 – 22/7/88.
Advances statement for Dell Publishing Co. for EMMA TUPPER’S DIARY, 14/7/88.
Correspondence with agency Borchardt regarding contracts and Dell’s publishing rights in Canada of EVA, 13/11/87 – 1/7/88.
Correspondence from Cricket Magazine for the publication of chapters from MERLIN DREAMS, 24/6/88 - 30/6/88.
Letters of congratulation from Collectieve Propaganda van het Nederlandse Boek and Gollancz for PD’s book CITY OF GOLD being highly commended by the CPNB panel. PB is invited to attend the award ceremony, 13/6/88 – 21/6/88.
*****
THE DEVIL’S CHILDREN
Notification from Bantam Doubleday Dell that PD’s Delacorte Press titles would be listed in the Remainder Marketplace. First, PD was being given an opportunity to purchase, 3/12/87-21/4/88.
*****
Advances statement for DANCING BEAR, 9/2/88.
Advances statement for TEFUGA, 9/2/88.
Contract for EVA 28/8/87 – 19/1/88 with notes by PD on the manuscript of EVA. He feels he is “too close to the material to be sure of any judgements.” He was going to add some lines “to being the sheer pressure of people more into mind.”
Correspondence on the film rights in ANNERTON PIT, 1/12/86.
Enquiry from Gladden Entertainment Corporation, Beverly Hills, Calif. for screen rights in SLEEP AND HIS BROTHER, 29/1/86-1/4/86.
General terms of agreement, interim contract, and copy of signed agreement for the sale of film rights to Milton Sperling, on behalf of Green/Epstein Productions Inc. for HEALER, 27/9/85 – 16/12/85.
Correspondence on the film rights for Disney in THE POISON ORACLE, 14/5/84 – 14/11/85.
Correspondence on the film rights in THE WEATHERMONGER, HEARTSEASE and THE DEVIL’S CHILDREN, 14/8/85 – 22/8/85.
Kathryn Asch (Columbia Pictures) turns down THE GLAMOUR, referring to it as “a particularly provocative story but in the end did not know how to develop it.” At the same time she asks for film rights in WALKING DEAD, 27/6/85 - 14/8/85.
Peter Dickinson (BBC TV) writes to Rod Hall (AP Watt) giving his comments on the challenges which the dramatization of HEALER poses. He adds it to his list of promising drama ideas for 1985/86.
John Prowse’s treatment of PD’s the GIFT and THE SEVENTH RAVEN for a feature film or television series, 31/10/84 – 8/11/84. The treatment is sent to Rod Hall (AP Watt).
Correspondence with Jenny Sheridan (BBC TV) who comments on HINDSIGHT. “I would think HINDSIGHT might make a startling radio-play. Radio could absorb the many difficulties this book presents in a way that would elude television”, 17/7/84.
These papers include correspondence with literary agencies Georges Borchardt, Inc. and AP Watt. Correspondence relates to agreements, licences, royalties, rights, payments, earnings and transactions.
AP Watt requests that Blackie & Son Ltd revert rights in THE IRON LION and the MOLE HOLE. Staff at Blackie Children’s Books ask for more time as they work out their publication programme within the Penguin Group, 12/6/91 – 16/1/92.
AP Watt requests from [Curtis Brown, NY] the Pantheon statements for POISON ORACLE and LIVELY DEAD, 21/11/91 - 12/12/91.
International Polygonics send to PD copies of THE GLASS SIDED ANTS’ NEST. Correspondence is with AP Watt, Borchardt and PD, 14/10/91 – 2/12/91.
Victor Gollancz Ltd makes an offer for A BONE FROM A DRY SEA. PD wishes to regard Canada as part of the American rather than British territory and therefore he asks that the offer stands without Canada. Gollancz agrees but only for this instance. Letters lament the long delays taken by Gollancz in signing their contracts. A copy of the agreement is included, 17/7/91 – 25/11/91.
Gollancz makes an offer to publish MERLIN DREAMS as part of their trade paperback list. The offer is accepted by PD, 14/11/91 – 18/11/91.
Anne Borchardt writes to PD saying that she still awaits contracts for TULKU from Dell; and George Nicholson had not made an offer for TIME AND THE CLOCK MICE, ETC., 14/11/91.
Correspondence between AP Watt and Gollancz regarding the trade paperback of CITY OF GOLD. Houghton Mifflin takes this on for the US market, to be published under the ‘Otter’ imprint, 16/10/91 – 5/11/91.
Correspondence between AP Watt and Borchardt re the deal with Transworld for the UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada but with Europe exclusively, for TIME AND THE CLOCK MICE ETC., 23/10/91 - 24/10/91.
PD accepts Gollancz’ offer for the UK rights in A BONE FROM A DRY SEA, 16/8/91 – 24/9/91.
Request to Gollancz for a copy of the agreement with Heinemann Educational Books for THE DAY I SHOT MY DAD. Also a request for a copy of the agreement for paperback rights in AK with Transworld. Canadian rights were sold separately to Dell, 23/1/91 – 3/9/91.
An offer from ISIS (Bodley Head) for the purchase of large print rights in SKELETON-IN-WAITING, 8/11/90 – 27/7/91.
Details of PD’s whereabouts and his address whilst in Maine, USA, 20/8/91.
Negotiations and draft of a contract, 21/4/91, with Mysterious Press for PLAY DEAD, as well as a schedule of publishers’ territories for the book, 28/2/91 – 11/7/91. Includes a letter from Hilary Rubinstein (AP Watt) to Anne Borchardt, 28/2/91, referring to a two-book contract from Mysterious Press and mentioning that PD had never accepted a commission for an unwritten book. Also mentions Otto Penzler and Bill [Molloy/Malloy?].
Internal AP Watt memo asks for any note on the sale by Gollancz/Transworld to Dell of Canadian paperback rights in EVA, [undated].
Internal AP Watt memo states that PD has been nominated for a new Writers Guild Award, 16/8/91.
Note from PD to Hilary Rubinstein listing all PD’s awards, prizes and medals, [1991?].
Internal AP Watt memo asks for a list of all possible titles by PD which could be reverted in order to free British and US rights “because sales are low”, 26/6/91. Attached is a list of the publication statuses for PD’s titles.
Correspondence with ISIS Large Print Books and Audio Books regarding the position with the titles PERFECT GALLOWS, HINDSIGHT, KING AND JOKER and SKELETON-IN-WAITING, 1/10/90 – 14/6/91.
Letter from Wayne Anderson to AP Watt regarding the extraction of monies owed for the film deal with Rankin Bass for a FLIGHT OF DRAGONS, 3/6/91.
A memo mentions that Quentin [Blake] was looking at doing illustrations for PD’s ESPECIALLY ETC. (internal AP Watt memo, 27/3/91). A new title was also being considered: TIME AND THE CLOCK MICE, ETCETERA (note from PD to Hilary Rubinstein, 22/5/91).
The manuscript of PLAY DEAD is sent by AP Watt to Viking. Andre Schiffrin (Random House) is reported as not doing this kind of book on his list. Copies of the book are given to publishers Tom McCormack and Larry Ashmead. Also mentioned in Hilary Rubinstein’s letter to Larry Ashmead is Steve Citron’s THE MUSICAL FROM THE INSIDE OUT and A GREEN HISTORY OF THE WORLD by Clive Ponting, 22/1/91 – 5/2/91.
Memo, Clarissa Rushdie to Rod Hall regarding an approach by Hick Communications for PD to write scripts for children’s television (AP Watt internal memo, 12/2/91).
Details of PD’s short story for a Heinemann collection: BEWARE BEWARE; a story much admired by Puffin: THE SPRING; and a short story for a Guardian compilation published in book form: BARKER (AP Watt internal memo, 22/2/91).
Photocopied reviews of AK: The Independent, 19/1/91 and Sunday Times, 20/1/91.
Copy of a Gollancz’ royalty statement for the sale to Dell of Canadian rights in EVA, 11/12/90 – 18/1/91.
Draft agreement between PD and the Random Century Group on behalf of the Bodley Head for PLAY DEAD. Editorial notes to PD [from Jill Black, Bodley Head?] on PLAY DEAD. Correspondence between Clarissa Rushdie (AP Watt) and Jill Black (Bodley Head) concerning the contract, 27/9/90 – 9/1/91.
Hilary Rubinstein tells Anne Borchardt of the offer made by Bodley Head and Arrow for PLAYING [i.e. PLAY] DEAD. Bodley Head was given exclusive rights in Europe, 19/11/90 – 27/11/90.
Letter from PD to Linda [Shaughnessy?] “that’s welcome news about the Diogenes edition of ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE.” PD was also slightly concerned about the foreign language translation in AK, 24/11/90.
Correspondence with AP Watt, Gollancz and PD regarding the paperback reissue of A BOX OF NOTHING by Mammoth. Complimentary copies of the old Magnet edition are offered to PD, 24/10/90 – 20/11/90.
A letter by Hilary Rubinstein to Anne Borchardt announcing Dickinson’s win of the Whitbread Award for the best children’s book of the year, 6/11/90.
Correspondence between AP Watt and Gollancz on the agreement with Puffin for the renewal of the paperback licence in THE GIFT, 18/12/89 – 21/9/90.
Gollancz announces its publishing of AK on 11/10/90, (letter 20/9/90).
Letters from PD to Anne Borchardt and Hilary Rubinstein in which he gives his impressions of his latest submission PLAY DEAD. PD had also written to Andre Schiffrin explaining his reluctance to change publisher. He tells Anne Borchardt “I’d rather have sympathetic editors than pots of money”, 14/9/90 – 18/9/90.
Photocopied book review of AK by Stephanie Nettell, The Bookseller, 7/9/90.
Correspondence with Anne Borchardt regarding payment of the advance due from International Polygonics for the four DETECTIVE PIBBLE titles, and the amount due from Delacorte for delivery of AK, 30/7/90 – 14/8/90.
Correspondence whereby PD accepts an agreement made by Pantheon to Thorndike for large print rights in SKELETON IN WAITING, 7/2/90 – 8/8/90.
A sale agreement letter from Pantheon Books for PD to purchase paperback copies of SLEEP AND HIS BROTHER, 6/8/90.
PD asks after a copy of the television series of THE GIFT by Red Rooster [Films Ltd], 23/7/90.
Correspondence regarding an offer and subsequent agreement from George Nicholson (Dell) for AK (Delacorte imprint). Mention is also made here of an offer from Macmillan for June Goodfield’s book THE PLANNED MIRACLE, 23/1/90 – 2/7/90.
Gollancz expresses a wish to revert rights in CHANCE, LUCK AND DESTINY, 21/6/90 – 28/6/90.
Correspondence with Anne Borchardt regarding agreements with International Polygonics for the DETECTIVE PIBBLE novels, 16/8/89 – 18/6/90.
Gollancz reports having received an offer from Verlag St Gabriel for German translation rights in CITY OF GOLD, 4/6/90 – 10/7/90.
Correspondence between Olga Litowinsky (Simon and Schuster Ltd) and AP Watt. Litowinsky expresses an interest in working with PD. They had previously worked together when Litowinsky was with Delacorte. Mention is also made of the author Bob Shaw, 12/3/90 – 12/6/90.
Constable Publishers show an interest in adding PD to their list; a joint venture paperback agreement with Arrow would ensure that PD gets full royalties, 9/5/90.
Correspondence relating to the Dell (Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group Inc.) offer for an omnibus edition of THE CHANGES TRILOGY, 18/10/89 – 16/4/90. A draft agreement dated 31/7/84 lists the trilogy as THE WEATHERMONGER, HEARTSEASE and THE DEVIL’S CHILDREN.
Letter from AP Watt asking Curtis Brown, NY to put reversion procedures in hand for KING AND JOKER, 30/3/90.
A letter from Nora Press reverts the rights in IN THE SHADOW OF KING’S, 22/3/90.
Correspondence regarding the agreement with Clio Press for US large print rights in HINDSIGHT, 9/1/90 – 22/3/90.
Correspondence with Gollancz re Puffin’s licence in the paperback rights of THE SEVENTH RAVEN, 20/2/90 – 15/3/90.
Details of the television broadcasting of THE GIFT on 28/3/90.
Correspondence on royalties for THE FLIGHT OF DRAGONS. Correspondence is primarily with Harper & Row and Gollancz, 1/4/85 – 2/3/90.
Enquiries by AP Watt on the licence held by Arrow Books for KING AND JOKER, 22/2/90. A list of earnings is attached.
Correspondence with Chris Kloet (Gollancz) re agreement with Gollancz for AK, 21/11/89 – 7/2/90.
Jeff Hoover (Curtis Brown, NY) liaises with Viking on the reversion of rights in THE GLASS-SIDED ANT’S NEST, 31/10/89 – 31/1/90.
Review by Coral Lansbury of SKELETON-IN-WAITING, New York Times Book Review, 31/12/89.
Details of a conversation with Chris Kloet concerning PD’s writing of a story for the National Trust based on a house with a particularly fine rose garden he was keen on, 19/12/89.
Correspondence regarding an agreement with International Polygonics for the four DETECTIVE PIBBLE titles: ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, THE LIZARD IN THE CUP, THE SEAL and SKIN DEEP, 16/8/89 – 18/6/90. A list of the US Publishers and their rights in these stories are outlined in a letter from Clarissa Rushdie, 18/9/89.
A request to Gollancz to revert the rights in THE GIFT to the author, 15/3/89 – 1/12/89.
Correspondence between AP Watt and Borchardt regarding a contract and submission of an afterword to TOBY TYLER by James Oris, 7/11/88 – 29/11/89.
Correspondence concerning the Bodley Head’s enquiry on the reverting of rights in THE LAST HOUSE-PARTY. Details of Arrow Books’ plans for re-issue are included, 14/11/88 – 27/11/89.
Correspondence with Gollancz relating to licences and royalties for WEATHERMONGER, 18/9/89 – 16/11/89.
THE PERFECT GALLOWS
Correspondence between PD, AP Watt and Georges Borchardt on the Isis/Clio agreement for PERFECT GALLOWS. The agreement for HINDSIGHT is also mentioned here, 7/5/90 – 24/5/90.
Distribution rights in the US for ISIS Audio Books (a division of CLIO Press Ltd), of PERFECT GALLOWS and HINDSIGHT, 15/11/89; 7/12/89.
Anne Borchardt provides details of a publishing offer from International Polygonics for PERFECT GALLOWS, 23/5/88 – 15/11/88.
Correspondence with Clio Press for audio rights in PERFECT GALLOWS, 18/3/88-27/4/88.
Correspondence with the Bodley Head announcing their contract with Arrow Head for the paperback rights in the Mysterious Press imprint of the PERFECT GALLOWS, 31/8/87-26/2/88.
Advances statement for PERFECT GALLOWS, 9/2/88. Review of PERFECT GALLOWS, 28/1/88. A note from Georges Borchardt on the licensing of book club rights in North America for PERFECT GALLOWS, 15/9/87.
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Anne Borchardt comments on Nan Talese’s (Doubleday) enthusiasm for PD’s work. Anne thought it unlikely that PD would want to leave Pantheon, 5/10/89.
List of licence expiry dates for young adult (mostly Puffin) paperbacks (via Gollancz), 27/9/89.
Correspondence between AP Watt and Gollancz regarding payment of a refresher advance by Penguin for TULKU, 27/10/88 – 8/9/89.
PD is shortlisted for two Library Association awards, for EVA - Carnegie medal; for MERLIN DREAMS – Kate Greenaway prize. Anne Borchardt writes “too bad that Peter didn’t get either one” 16/5/89 – 11/7/89.
Letter of decline from Mysterious Press (Arrow Books Ltd) for the publication in paperback of A SUMMER IN THE TWENTIES and GREEN GENE. “Both books are well out of the mainstream of crime fiction and we would therefore have to work very hard to sell sufficient numbers in paperback.” Heywood Books also declined “these two books are really too litereary [sic] for our readership”, 23/2/89 – 21/6/89.
Sale of exclusive paperback reprint rights to Dell Publishing for THE SEVENTH RAVEN, 27/1/87 – 19/6/89.
Draft agreements and correspondence on exclusive rights given to the Bodley Head for SKELETONIN-WAITING, Jan 1987 – 5/6/89.
Jeff Hoover (Curtis Brown, NY) explains the position on sales and reversion of rights regarding GREEN GENE and ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, 27/2/89 – 22/5/89.
Details of PD’s sister’s residential properties in London and Skiathos, Greece which she would like to rent, 29/3/89.
The Bodley Head confirm Arrow’s position with regards to their stock of HINDSIGHT, 15/2/89 – 16/3/89.
Photocopied review by Neil Philip of EVA, TLS, 3/3/89.
Correspondence with ISIS Audio Books for audio rights in HINDSIGHT, 17/1/89 – 9/3/89.
Arrow Books sends a Jacket for KING & JOKER, 11/1/89.
Gollancz provides details of the extract from CITY OF GOLD which appears in FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CLUBHOUSE magazine, 31/10/88 – 7/11/88.
Short extracts written by Dickinson, 13/10/88. Earlier that year, in May 1988, Dickinson’s wife, Mary Rose, had taken her life. The extracts are sent to Hilary Rubinstein and Dickinson writes that he’d like to see them published. They are dark passages and refer to illness and suicide. PD writes: “I wouldn’t read them at a point when you’re feeling at all emotionally low.”
Arrow Books reconsiders the jackets For THE LIVELY DEAD, DEATH OF A UNICORN, THE LIZARD IN THE CUP and PERFECT GALLOWS, 15/7/88 – 22/7/88.
Advances statement for Dell Publishing Co. for EMMA TUPPER’S DIARY, 14/7/88.
Correspondence with agency Borchardt regarding contracts and Dell’s publishing rights in Canada of EVA, 13/11/87 – 1/7/88.
Correspondence from Cricket Magazine for the publication of chapters from MERLIN DREAMS, 24/6/88 - 30/6/88.
Letters of congratulation from Collectieve Propaganda van het Nederlandse Boek and Gollancz for PD’s book CITY OF GOLD being highly commended by the CPNB panel. PB is invited to attend the award ceremony, 13/6/88 – 21/6/88.
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THE DEVIL’S CHILDREN
Notification from Bantam Doubleday Dell that PD’s Delacorte Press titles would be listed in the Remainder Marketplace. First, PD was being given an opportunity to purchase, 3/12/87-21/4/88.
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Advances statement for DANCING BEAR, 9/2/88.
Advances statement for TEFUGA, 9/2/88.
Contract for EVA 28/8/87 – 19/1/88 with notes by PD on the manuscript of EVA. He feels he is “too close to the material to be sure of any judgements.” He was going to add some lines “to being the sheer pressure of people more into mind.”
Correspondence on the film rights in ANNERTON PIT, 1/12/86.
Enquiry from Gladden Entertainment Corporation, Beverly Hills, Calif. for screen rights in SLEEP AND HIS BROTHER, 29/1/86-1/4/86.
General terms of agreement, interim contract, and copy of signed agreement for the sale of film rights to Milton Sperling, on behalf of Green/Epstein Productions Inc. for HEALER, 27/9/85 – 16/12/85.
Correspondence on the film rights for Disney in THE POISON ORACLE, 14/5/84 – 14/11/85.
Correspondence on the film rights in THE WEATHERMONGER, HEARTSEASE and THE DEVIL’S CHILDREN, 14/8/85 – 22/8/85.
Kathryn Asch (Columbia Pictures) turns down THE GLAMOUR, referring to it as “a particularly provocative story but in the end did not know how to develop it.” At the same time she asks for film rights in WALKING DEAD, 27/6/85 - 14/8/85.
Peter Dickinson (BBC TV) writes to Rod Hall (AP Watt) giving his comments on the challenges which the dramatization of HEALER poses. He adds it to his list of promising drama ideas for 1985/86.
John Prowse’s treatment of PD’s the GIFT and THE SEVENTH RAVEN for a feature film or television series, 31/10/84 – 8/11/84. The treatment is sent to Rod Hall (AP Watt).
Correspondence with Jenny Sheridan (BBC TV) who comments on HINDSIGHT. “I would think HINDSIGHT might make a startling radio-play. Radio could absorb the many difficulties this book presents in a way that would elude television”, 17/7/84.
Existence and location of copies
Peter Dickinson's literary archive is deposited at Seven Stories National Centre for Children’s Books.
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APW - AP Watt Archive
- APW/2 - Peter Dickinson
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