DL/A-Z//MASCHLER T/3 - [Correspondence with Tom Maschler: 1985-1989]
Reference code
DL/A-Z//MASCHLER T/3
Level of description
Sub-file
Title
[Correspondence with Tom Maschler: 1985-1989]
Date/s
1985-1989
Quantity & Format
11 Letters (typescript and MS)
2 Memorandum
2 Memorandum
Corporate name
Jonathan Cape
Knopf, Alfred A.
Knopf, Alfred A.
Personal name
Ornstein, Robert Evans
Maschler, Tom
Maschler, Tom
Scope and content
[1985]
018 is a letter from Doris Lessing to Tom Maschler and Liz [surname omitted] regarding the Times/Jonathan Cape Young Writers' Competition that Lessing is judging. Of the nine finalists, Lessing states that she cannot identify a personal preference, but sees all of them as "of great interest, on a high level" but different from each other. She suggests Jonathan Cape publish them all in order to foster their talent.
019 is a memorandum by Lessing summarising the plots and qualities of 11 entries to the Times/Jonathan Cape Young Writers' Competition. The listed works include Israel in Egypt by Kate Saunders, A Harvest Hare by Richard Burns, Clara's Heart by Joseph Olshan, Ghost Figure by Chao Yung-tai, A Dog's Life by Geoffrey Cush, Traitor on the Skyline by Jonathan Kebbe, the anonymously penned After Advent, To the Glory of Elvis by Martin Nathan, The Migration by Zhou Zhiyu and The Romantics by Ellie Ling.
020 is a letter from Lessing to Maschler and Liz [surname omitted] complaining that Times/Jonathan Cape Young Writers' Competition winner Clara's Heart has been sold to "an American publisher who hasn't the resources to make anything much of the book". She impugns that the author was handed over as part of a deal between the publishers.
[1986]
021 is a letter from Maschler to Lessing responding to her claim that her The Good Terrorist had been out of print for 3 weeks. He encloses a memorandum from Jonathan Cape production director Tim Chester outlining the dates the book was out of print.
022 is a letter from Lessing to Chester, copied to Maschler, disputing his claim that The Good Terrorist was only out of print for a short time, based on her experiences in bookshops.
[1987]
023 is a handwritten letter from Maschler to Lessing responding to what he perceived as Lessing's recent "stroppy" telephone manner, including regarding his forthcoming wedding. He asks whether he has offended her. Lessing hand writes "Wrote 5.10.87. After wedding" [contradictory dates].
024 is a letter from Maschler to Lessing, responding to a reply to 023. He claims not to have received a certain letter from Lessing, and that had he received it he would not have ignored it. He asks Lessing to send a carbon copy of the letter in question and expresses his admiration for her. He reiterates that he wants her to attend his wedding.
025 is a letter from Lessing to Maschler addressing the disagreement alluded to in 023 and 024. Lessing complains at length about Jonathan Cape, especially the publicity department. She discusses the blurb for The Fifth Child and the communication between Jonathan Cape and Alfred A. Knopf. She complains that her complaints are so easily dismissed. She thanks Maschler for his wedding party.
025A is Maschler's reply to DL's letter dated 25 October 1987. Discusses their disagreements and the way DL feels she has been mistreated. Also the mix-up with being confused with Nadine Gordimer; the state of the publishers Jonathan Cape; the blurb, manuscript and publishing of The Fifth Child.
[1988]
026 is a photocopy of a letter from Lessing to Maschler, relaying health advice from Bob Ornstein [GDPR], including regarding allergies, vitamin deficiencies and exercise. Lessing acknowledges that Maschler and Ornstein have had a "falling-out".
027 is a letter from Maschler to Lessing enclosing a post-dated press release [028] that announces Maschler's change of roles at Jonathan Cape. Maschler states that he looks forward to caring for his own authors better now that he has more time to devote to them.
028 is a press release from Jonathan Cape announcing that Maschler will be "publishing his own authors".
029 is a letter from Lessing to Maschler, written in response to 027 and 028. Lessing admonishes Maschler for referring to the [previously unmentioned] dismissal of [name known] Bing as "excellent news". She states that Bing was shamefully treated and that publishers "go on like Dallas and Dynasty".
018 is a letter from Doris Lessing to Tom Maschler and Liz [surname omitted] regarding the Times/Jonathan Cape Young Writers' Competition that Lessing is judging. Of the nine finalists, Lessing states that she cannot identify a personal preference, but sees all of them as "of great interest, on a high level" but different from each other. She suggests Jonathan Cape publish them all in order to foster their talent.
019 is a memorandum by Lessing summarising the plots and qualities of 11 entries to the Times/Jonathan Cape Young Writers' Competition. The listed works include Israel in Egypt by Kate Saunders, A Harvest Hare by Richard Burns, Clara's Heart by Joseph Olshan, Ghost Figure by Chao Yung-tai, A Dog's Life by Geoffrey Cush, Traitor on the Skyline by Jonathan Kebbe, the anonymously penned After Advent, To the Glory of Elvis by Martin Nathan, The Migration by Zhou Zhiyu and The Romantics by Ellie Ling.
020 is a letter from Lessing to Maschler and Liz [surname omitted] complaining that Times/Jonathan Cape Young Writers' Competition winner Clara's Heart has been sold to "an American publisher who hasn't the resources to make anything much of the book". She impugns that the author was handed over as part of a deal between the publishers.
[1986]
021 is a letter from Maschler to Lessing responding to her claim that her The Good Terrorist had been out of print for 3 weeks. He encloses a memorandum from Jonathan Cape production director Tim Chester outlining the dates the book was out of print.
022 is a letter from Lessing to Chester, copied to Maschler, disputing his claim that The Good Terrorist was only out of print for a short time, based on her experiences in bookshops.
[1987]
023 is a handwritten letter from Maschler to Lessing responding to what he perceived as Lessing's recent "stroppy" telephone manner, including regarding his forthcoming wedding. He asks whether he has offended her. Lessing hand writes "Wrote 5.10.87. After wedding" [contradictory dates].
024 is a letter from Maschler to Lessing, responding to a reply to 023. He claims not to have received a certain letter from Lessing, and that had he received it he would not have ignored it. He asks Lessing to send a carbon copy of the letter in question and expresses his admiration for her. He reiterates that he wants her to attend his wedding.
025 is a letter from Lessing to Maschler addressing the disagreement alluded to in 023 and 024. Lessing complains at length about Jonathan Cape, especially the publicity department. She discusses the blurb for The Fifth Child and the communication between Jonathan Cape and Alfred A. Knopf. She complains that her complaints are so easily dismissed. She thanks Maschler for his wedding party.
025A is Maschler's reply to DL's letter dated 25 October 1987. Discusses their disagreements and the way DL feels she has been mistreated. Also the mix-up with being confused with Nadine Gordimer; the state of the publishers Jonathan Cape; the blurb, manuscript and publishing of The Fifth Child.
[1988]
026 is a photocopy of a letter from Lessing to Maschler, relaying health advice from Bob Ornstein [GDPR], including regarding allergies, vitamin deficiencies and exercise. Lessing acknowledges that Maschler and Ornstein have had a "falling-out".
027 is a letter from Maschler to Lessing enclosing a post-dated press release [028] that announces Maschler's change of roles at Jonathan Cape. Maschler states that he looks forward to caring for his own authors better now that he has more time to devote to them.
028 is a press release from Jonathan Cape announcing that Maschler will be "publishing his own authors".
029 is a letter from Lessing to Maschler, written in response to 027 and 028. Lessing admonishes Maschler for referring to the [previously unmentioned] dismissal of [name known] Bing as "excellent news". She states that Bing was shamefully treated and that publishers "go on like Dallas and Dynasty".
-
DL - Doris Lessing Archive
-
DL/2008 - Doris Lessing Archive 2008 deposit
-
DL/A-Z - [A-Z Correspondence of Doris Lessing]
-
DL/A-Z//MASCHLER T - [Correspondence with Tom Maschler of Jonathan Cape]
- DL/A-Z//MASCHLER T/3 - [Correspondence with Tom Maschler: 1985-1989]
-
DL/A-Z//MASCHLER T - [Correspondence with Tom Maschler of Jonathan Cape]
-
DL/A-Z - [A-Z Correspondence of Doris Lessing]
-
DL/2008 - Doris Lessing Archive 2008 deposit