Box 1

Recommending agent Peter Shepherd who handles Muriel Spark in the U.S. and suggests McCarthy contact him.

“Thanks for the letter. Please dont apologize for trying to find readers for my books…In the same mail came a letter from Peter Shepherd asking that I call him – which I’ve done…”

Gave copy of Orchard Keeper to neighbor who is reading it for a second time. Sending photo for inscription.

“Here’s your photo…” [Photo not included].

Thanks for signing the photograph.

Sending some publication information on McCarthy books.

Asking when western will be published; inquires about status of agent search

“Thanks for your letter, ‘twas good to hear from you… the western - entitled Blood Meridian or The Evening of Redness In the West is set and proofread and will appear – I am told – in March…” More about his search for an agent; Ecco Press has brought out his early books.

Glad Blood Meridian is coming out; offers $100 to buy Xerox copy McCarthy had sent to Peter Shepherd [copy in box 1 folders 10 and 11].

Received the Xerox copy from Peter Shepherd; surprised at Shepherd’s lack of response to McCarthy. Praises Blood Meridian; asks if McCarthy actually traveled the country described. Endorsed/canceled check to McCarthy included, as is a Spring 1985 advertisement for Random House.

“Glad that you got the Xerox…” and refunds $50.00. “To answer your question, I spent several years in the country described. I’ve taken the train to Mochos a couple of times and it is a great trip…”

Received his copy of Blood Meridian; likes the Dali painting. Will send copy for inscription if McCarthy agrees.

“By all means send the book and I will be happy to scribble in it and return it…Saw a nice review in USA Today (national newspaper) this past week-end but nothing other. Book in a few stores friends tell me…”

Sending copy of Blood Meridian for signature; discusses reviews and mentions meeting Dali once.

Sending Xerox of Times review. Mentions meeting Albert Erskine at a fugitive poets exhibit at The University of Virginia. Newspaper clipping from April 28, 1985 Times included.

“Thank you very much for sending the Southern Literary Journal. Discusses Erskine. “Mostly these days I’m trying to get a film script produced into a film. The MacArthur largess expires in a little over a year and I’ve gotten used to eating regularly and dont know what will happen when the money stops. Other than that I have 2 or 3 novels that I have notes and a few sections for but I dont know which one to hone in on. Probably the most difficult one…”

“Thanks for sending the review (Images of the Southern Writer)…” Just back from a week-long rafting/hiking trip in Big Bend. “I’m working on a couple of stories in filmscript form. Very good form for conserving the word…”

“My good friend and attorney here - Bobby Perel - has an opportunity to buy an original set of Curtis’s Indian photographs…” Asks if Woolmer knows what they might be worth. McCarthy’s brother and wife visited and they went rafting down the Rio Grande “Very beautiful country. It rained in the night and the river came up 5 feet and we brought out refugees with us…”

Curtis’ The North American Indian valued at about $50,000. Advises about what attorney should look for; offers to help auction it.

Follow-up on Curtis book. Recent auction at only $22,000 but not a fine set.