Tag: Author relationships

George R. R. Martin

It was in 1993 that George R. R. Martin–already an acclaimed author of science fiction and horror novels, and well known for his work in Hollywood as a screenwriter on The Twilight Zone and Beauty and the Beast–decided he needed a broader outlet for his creativity and conceived of A Song of Ice and Fire, a truly monumental fantasy series. More

The History of HarperCollins Children’s Books in the U.S.

The Department of Books for Boys and Girls at Harper was established in the U.S. in 1926. More

Sabriel

A revolutionary story that made Nix a rising star in the fantasy genre. More

Beezus and Ramona

Newbery Medal winner; humorous and beloved tale of the ups and downs of sisterhood. More

To Kill a Mockingbird

When J. B. Lippincott (later acquired by HarperCollins) editor Therese (Tay) von Hohoff saw the first draft of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird (1960), she saw a promising story, but one in need of some reshaping and editing. More

Letter from “Padington”

Signed with a paw print, this letter from “Padington” (circa 1966) was sent to Australian booksellers and sales staff, encouraging them to sell the latest Paddington title. More

Black Boy

A powerful and eloquent autobiography that has sold more than a million copies since publication. More

Letter from Ursula Nordstrom regarding Frog and Toad Are Friends

This humorous letter from 1970 was written by Ursula Nordstrom, head of the U.S. Harper Children’s division, to Frog and Toad Are Friends author and illustrator Arnold Lobel. More

The Hobbit

J. R. R. Tolkien’s enchanting tale became an instant success when it was first published. More

Herman Melville and Moby-Dick

Harper & Brothers turned down Herman Melville’s first book, Typee: A Peep at Polynesian Life, and it was released to strong sales by another publisher. More

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit

A child’s perspective as a refugee during the rise of Nazism; now a modern classic. More

Agatha Christie at her Devonshire home

Agatha Christie, known throughout the world as the Queen of Crime, is the best-selling novelist in history, outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. More

1993: Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher publishes The Downing Street Years…

Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher publishes The Downing Street Years, which recounts her eleven and a half years at London’s 10 Downing Street, the official prime minister’s residence, with HarperCollins. More

Judith Kerr

Why I write: Usually, so that I can do the illustrations. More

Judith Kerr

Handwritten letter from John Gray regarding his manuscript for Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus

John Gray sent 330 pages of his manuscript for Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus to his editor Susan Moldow on September 25, 1991, accompanied by this handwritten note. More

The Boy in the Dress

The sharp and funny first novel for children from bestselling publishing phenomenon David Walliams. More

1961: The first Beginner Books by Dr. Seuss are published by Collins in the UK…

The first Beginner Books by Dr. Seuss are published by Collins in the UK. This series includes The Cat in the Hat (which had been previously published by Collins in 1958 and was an immediate success) and Green Eggs and Ham. More

The Dispossessed

The classic utopian science fiction; winner of the Hugo, Locus, and Nebula Awards. More

Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World

One of Harper & Brothers’ most famous and influential authors was Aldous Huxley, who signed with the publisher in 1927 and published his first book, Texts and Pretexts, with them in 1932. More

1924: “Queen of Crime” Agatha Christie joins the house of Collins…

“Queen of Crime” Agatha Christie joins the house of Collins, and two years later publishes her seminal Hercule Poirot novel, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. More

Original artwork suggested by Syd Hoff for Danny and the Dinosaur

Illustrator Syd Hoff sent these sketches to Ursula Nordstrom, head of the U.S. Harper Children’s division, as suggestions for the now-classic Danny and the Dinosaur. More

A Christmas Carol

Dickens’s beloved classic of the meaning of Christmas that has inspired countless adaptations. More

Sounder

Newbery Award–winning book that became an influential children’s work on race and class. More

Michael Bond

I was brought up in a house where books were an essential part of the furnishings. More

Michael Bond

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia #1)

First book written in the world-celebrated Narnia series; captivating readers for more than sixty years. More

Original editorial correspondence regarding Joni Eareckson Tada

A diving accident in 1967 left Joni Eareckson, then seventeen, a quadriplegic in a wheelchair, without the use of her hands. More

Social Change: African American Identity in the U.S.

HarperCollins has published a number of books that explore the racial identity of African Americans during periods of great social conflict. More