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.
They
provide 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, per e-mail correspondence of 1/29/01.
Tom
and I first met each other 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, we moved
several times and these letters were the last contact I
had with him until a few months ago.
Page
last modified
4/28/01
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They provide 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, per e-mail correspondence of 1/29/01. Tom and I first met each other 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, we moved several times and these letters were the last contact I had with him until a few months ago.
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Page
last modified
4/28/01
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