hese
four letters by Tom Clancy, written in 1983–85, provide
a fascinating look into his "overnight" rise to
fame with the publication of his first book, The Hunt
for Red October.
Here
is
a behind-the-scenes look at a Maryland insurance agent and
family man as he pursues a personal interest in writing
and navy lore—and suddenly finds himself a national
celebrity.
Tom
discusses in detail his writing ("murderously hard work"),
the computers of that day ("Wowie-Zowie"), the progress
of his next book ("the continuing adventures of Tom Clancy,
boy-writer"), his first TV interview ("didn't throw up"),
and his first trip to the White House to meet President
Ronald Reagan ("quite a moment, guys").
The
letters are reproduced here as accurately as possible, given
the limitations of type manipulation on the Web. All oversized,
bold, italic, and underlined type is a representation of
the way Tom typed it. Because he often used brackets, normally
an editorial device, all editorial notations have been made
in red.
The
First, 2/5/83 —
Working on his submission draft of The Hunt for Red October,
discussing its content and his work; shopping for a new
computer (he bought a "Fat Mac"); and thoughts
on future books.
The
Second, 11/1/84 —
Comments in reply to a letter from me about Hunt; comments
about computers of that day; update on the sales of Hunt
.
The
Third, 2/5/85 —
Another progress report on Hunt sales; news that
his book has made it to the White House; the sale of his
Sunset manuscript and acquisition of a new agent;
and about meeting with some Navy brass and others.
The
Fourth, 3/8/85-3/20/85 —
A 14-page novella starting with lunch at the Pentagon; the
events leading up to his first appearance on national TV,
and the day itself; news of an upcoming article in Time
magazine; more reports on the progress of Hunt sales;
a delightfully detailed account of his first trip to the
White House to meet President Reagan; and another on his
first state dinner at the White House.
Editor's
Note,1/30/01: The posting of these letters was personally
approved by Tom Clancy via e-mail correspondence on 1/29/01.
Tom
and I first met in the winter of 1969-70, when he and my
ex were in the same insurance management class in Hartford,
Conn. In the years that followed, I moved several times
and these letters were the last contact I had with him until
a few months ago.
—Susan
Records
Page last modified
11/12/05
© 1997-2006 Everwild
|
Here is a behind-the-scenes look at a Maryland insurance agent and family man as he pursues a personal interest in writing and navy lore—and suddenly finds himself a national celebrity. Tom discusses in detail his writing ("murderously hard work"), the computers of that day ("Wowie-Zowie"), the progress of his next book ("the continuing adventures of Tom Clancy, boy-writer"), his first TV interview ("didn't throw up"), and his first trip to the White House to meet President Ronald Reagan ("quite a moment, guys"). The letters are reproduced here as accurately as possible, given the limitations of type manipulation on the Web. All oversized, bold, italic, and underlined type is a representation of the way Tom typed it. Because he often used brackets, normally an editorial device, all editorial notations have been made in red. The First, 2/5/83 — Working on his submission draft of The Hunt for Red October, discussing its content and his work; shopping for a new computer (he bought a "Fat Mac"); and thoughts on future books. The Second, 11/1/84 — Comments in reply to a letter from me about Hunt; comments about computers of that day; update on the sales of Hunt . The Third, 2/5/85 — Another progress report on Hunt sales; news that his book has made it to the White House; the sale of his Sunset manuscript and acquisition of a new agent; and about meeting with some Navy brass and others. The Fourth, 3/8/85-3/20/85 — A 14-page novella starting with lunch at the Pentagon; the events leading up to his first appearance on national TV, and the day itself; news of an upcoming article in Time magazine; more reports on the progress of Hunt sales; a delightfully detailed account of his first trip to the White House to meet President Reagan; and another on his first state dinner at the White House. Editor's Note,1/30/01: The posting of these letters was personally approved by Tom Clancy via e-mail correspondence on 1/29/01. Tom and I first met in the winter of 1969-70, when he and my ex were in the same insurance management class in Hartford, Conn. In the years that followed, I moved several times and these letters were the last contact I had with him until a few months ago. —Susan Records
|
© 1997-2006 Everwild
