DL/A-Z//HARPER C - [Correspondence with Harper Collins]

DL/A-Z//HARPER C

File

[Correspondence with Harper Collins]

1991-2007

73 Letters (typescript and MS)
40 Fax
10 Press cuttings
5 Greetings cards
5 Postcards
1 Article
1 Printed ephemera
3 Invitation
2 Memorandum
1 Notes (MS)
2 Manuscripts

Harper Collins

Correspondence between Doris Lessing and publisher Harper Collins. Correspondents in Harper Collins include John Boothe, William M. Shinker, Maggie Usiskin, Peter Winslow, Terry Karten, Martin Weaver, Joy Chamberlain, Julie Baldwin, Mandy Kirkby, Ashley Chase, Jane Beirn, Stuart Proffitt, Eddie Bell, David Young, Anthea Disney, Nigel Watts, Paul Davies, Malcolm Edwards, Philip Gwyn Jones, Caroline Michel, Arabella Pike, Venetia Butterfield, Louise Tucker, Jon Butler, Paul Baggaley and Phillippa Harrison.

There is also correspondence between Harper Collins and third parties.

The correspondence is largely professional, regarding the progress and publication of Lessing's novels, promotional events, travel arrangements, and sales.

DL/A-Z//HARPER C/1 concerns correspondence from 1991 to 1992, and includes Lessing's complaints about the demands made on authors for the sake of book promotion; Lessing's writing on the economic and political conditions in Zimbabwe; and an attempt by public relations firm Bell Pottinger to suborn Lessing into their Zimbabwe thought work.

DL/A-Z//HARPER C/2 concerns correspondence from 1993 to 1995 and refers to disputes over sales, book availability and promotion.

DL/A-Z//HARPER C/3 concerns correspondence from 1996 to 1999, and refers to the ascent of Anthea Disney in Harper Collins, as well as a scandal that resulted when Harper Collins blocked publication of a book by former Hong Kong governor Chris Patten.

DL/A-Z//HARPER C/4 concerns correspondence from 2000 to 2007.

DL/A-Z//HARPER C/5 concerns undated correspondence, and includes Lessing's opinions as who who would be suitable to provide a preface for a reprint of The Golden Noteblook, and the manuscripts of the prefaces to two collections of Lessing's short stories.