The Muddy Fork -- A Remarkable Archive Related To The Book Publication

JAMES CRUMLEY

Publication: Letters and galley proofs by James Crumley, 1983, N P

Long galleys of the book THE MUDDY FORK, and they are corrected throughout. 1). Typed letter, signed "Jim," dated July 18, 1983, stating that he’s sending "a twenty-four- page piece from the endless Texas novel" and pointing out that it had been published previously in a different form. 2).Typed letter, signed "Jim," dated July 31, 1983, on several related matters, including that he'd like to rewrite a few passages, agreeing to a fee, and lamenting that he can't finish his Texas novel because he is required to write another Milodragovitch novel. 3).One page letter of agreement, dated August 5, 1983, on Lord John Press letterhead, signed as "James Crumley" and dated 9/6/83, setting out the terms of the agreement, and also signed by Herb Yellin (owner of the press). 4).Typed letter, signed "Jim," dated September 6, 1983, letting Yellin know he might not have time to proofread the book. 5).Typed letter, signed "Jim," dated May 24, 1984, letting Yellin know that he can't find the galleys and requesting another set, as he noticed that "the entire last paragraph had been left out, one of my favorite passages." 6).Typed letter, signed "Jim," dated February 3, 1985, hoping that Yellin is as "happy as I am. It’s certainly a beautiful edition." 7).Typed letter, signed "Jim," dated December 4, 1986, on Hellgate Productions letterhead, evidently responding to Yellin's request to publish another work. "It's shit for money, and my estranged wife insists on having half of it, but I'll try to dig up something, maybe ten pages off the beginning of the book I ain't writing now because I’m too busy working in Hollywood." He again compliments the production of The Muddy Fork and adds "but this is life not literature, this is domestic strife and economics. You send me a contract by return mail, and I’ll return the favor with the first ten pages of The Mexican Tree Duck." 8).Typed letter, signed "Jim," dated December 4, 1986, on Hellgate Productions letterhead, apologizing for being "so cranky" the last time. Also stating, "When I went back through the piece, it nearly doubled in size." 9).One page letter of agreement, dated December 11, 1986, signed as "James Crumley" and dated 9/6/83, setting out the terms of the agreement, and also signed by Herb Yellin. 10).Three checks from the Lord John Press made out to James Crumley, each endorsed on the back. All enclosed in a cloth clamshell case with titles stamped in black on a paper spine label. A remarkable archive.

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