• Title: Letter from John G. Neihardt to Lucile Aly, September 21, 1971
  • Date: September 21, 1971
  • Author(s): Neihardt, John Gneisenau, 1881-1973
  • Recipient: Aly, Lucile Folse, 1913-
  • TEI XML: nei.j4c.62.33-36.xml
Aly Collection
5207 NHY 63
Columbia, Mo.
Sep. 21, 1971
Dear Lucile:

I do want to know what has been happening in your world! What response from Bruce Nicoll to your letter cancelling your contract?

Mrs. Reed told Hilda you are, or were, trying for a British publisher. Is this so?

There is a big ground swell in Neihardt interest. Even the U. of Neb. Press sold 67,000 Black Elks last year, and the demand everywhere is saddening with no very poor supply. will make it a world best-seller! We have to by-pass Bruce, as he is the only obstacle; but we hold the aces and can, if compelled, take those rights from him. We have given him a nice ultimatum, offering to share with us, in recognition of what the Press has done for me.

Harcourt Brace-Ivanovich ​ will publish the autobiography in May. The title will be Let Me Live Out My Years, and the poem will be the frontispiece.

Avon (mass publishers) will no doubt [name?] The Splendid Wayfaring.

We have received $40,000 in advance royalty already.

(over)

If my story comes out before yours (which seems likely) there are two or three duplications that we can eliminate —

I do need to hear from you, dear old friend.

With love

Gaki

I'll be at the Lincoln address for perhaps a month. 5835 Vine St. (68505)

Here is an idea to be considered: If we make the hard-back deal with Simon & Shuster ​, perhaps they'd be interested in your book!!
COLUMBIA, MO 65201 SEP 22 PM 7 1971
COLUMBIA SEP 23 '71 MO. COLUMBIA-BOONE CO. SESQUICENTENNIAL 150 SHOW-YOU YEARS
Dr. Lucile Aly, 1132 22nd Ave, East, Eugene, Oregon.