And at least two more.)]
EDITOR ‘s NOTE: September 24, 1946. Letter of this date says that editor at Scribner ‘s liked Young Atomic Engineers.
September 27, 1946: Robert A. Heinlein to Lurton Blassingame
Young Atomic Engineers-I am delighted to hear that Alice Dalgliesh [editor at Scribner’s] likes this ms. In my letter of 16 March 46 you will find a list of titles for a proposed series of sequels and considerable discussion of what I would like to do in re juveniles, as well as what I think might be done further to exploit this story. I expect to be guided by you in all those matters-my opinions are not final. I certainly would be willing to rewrite to editorial order and to plan stories to fit editorial desires in order to have my book brought out by so distinguished a house as Scribner’s.
February 1, 1947: Robert A. Heinlein to Lurton Blassingame
I have signed the contract as you advised, but I am returning the contract to Scribner’s through you in order that you may reconsider whether or not to ask them to make any changes in the contract…The manuscript has been revised and is now being retyped. It will be delivered to Scribner’s by the tenth of February.
SPACE CADET
July 18, 1947: Robert A. Heinlein to Lurton Blassingame
Miss Dalgliesh and I agree with you on Space Cadet, but I won’t write it until later this year.
February 17, 1948: Lurton Blassingame to Robert A. Heinlein No danger of Scribner’s turning down Space Cadet.
August 1, 1949: Robert A. Heinlein to Lurton Blassingame
There is a correction to be made in Space Cadet, which I have already given Scribner’s for the second edition; it occurs to me that it should be made in the Norwegian, Italian, and Dutch editions. Will you relay it for me? It is quite simple: on the very last page there is a line of dialog: “Never lead with your left.” It should, of course, read, “Never lead with your right.”
EDITOR ‘s NOTE: This mistake resulted from the manuscript’s having been read by me, Lurton (who was left-handed), and several editors at Scribner’s (none of us knew anything about boxing).
January 5, 1951: Robert A. Heinlein to Lurton Blassingame
I have written Miss Dalgliesh about the TV scripts [Tom Corbett, Space Cadet}. Did you read them? If so, you know how bad they are; I don’t want an air credit on that show (much as I appreciate the royalty checks!) and I am reasonably sure that a staid, dignified house like Scribner’s will feel the same way. It has the high moral standards of soap opera.
RED PLANET
November 18, 1948: Robert A. Heinlein to Lurton Blassingame
Enclosed is a copy of notes for a new novel [Red Planet] for Miss Dalgliesh, plus a copy of the letter to her…Read the letters, read the notes as well, if you have time. Advice is welcomed.
The decision to postpone the ocean-rancher yarn [Ocean Rancher was supposed to be the third book in the Scribner’s series, but it was never written.] called for a revision of my writing schedule. These are my present intentions: while Miss Dalgliesh is making up her mind, I intend to do one short story, 4,000 words, intended for adult, slick, general market, with Post, Colliers, Town and Country, This Week, and Argosy in mind. I should be able to show this to you by the middle of December.
If Miss Dalgliesh says yes, I will write the boys’ novel next, planning to complete it before January 31. While she is looking it over, I expect to do another 4,000-word slick, following which I will revise the novel for Miss Dalgliesh. That should take me up to the end of February.
March 4, 1949: Robert A. Heinlein to Lurton Blassingame
There is actually no need for you to read this letter at all. It will not inform you on any important point, it will contain nothing calling for action on your part, and it probably will not even entertain you. I may not send it. I have a number of points to beef about, particularly Miss Dalgliesh; if Bill Cor-son [a friend who lived in Los Angeles] were here, I’d beef to him. He not being here, I take advantage of your good nature. I have come to think of you as a friend whom I know well enough to ask to listen to my gripes.