PINSKY ROBERT: (1940- )

PINSKY ROBERT: (1940- ) American poet, eassayist, literary critic and translator, United States Poet Laureate 1997-2000. Small selection of three T.Ls.S. and an A.L.S., Robert Pinsky, each one page, 4to, Wellesley, Massachusetts, June - August 1974, to the publisher David R. Godine and the editor Stephen Brook. Pinsky writes concerning his work in the early years of his poems being published, in part, ´I have written a long and strange poem called "Essay On Psychiatrists" which I would like to submit for consideration as a pamphlet or short chapbook. Other poems by me have been published in American Review......I am enclosing an extra xerox copy of my book-manuscript, Sadness And Happiness, in case you are curious what the rest of my work is like´ (14th June 1974), ´In relation to my long poem "Essay On Psychiatrists" which I submitted to you a week ago, I would like to add that Richard Howard ´phoned me the other day to say that he has read the poem, likes it a lot - - and would want to write an introduction-commentary for it, if it should be accepted, and if such accompanying prose material seems suitable....Since I have ventured to try to help my chances with such support, I will add that Stanley Kunitz also has read the "Essay" and offered his (unsolicited) opinion that it should be published as a chapbook. I hope that the act of giving these supplementary "references" does not seem too pushy´ (21st June 1974), ´Your letter about Essay On Psychiatrists crossed my letter in the mail. Thanks for acting so quickly (anyway), and for the attentive words. You seem receptive enough to the poem that there just might be a chance that the accompanying essay by Richard Howard would make the whole a more attractive undertaking - pushed over the border of acceptance by some prose by a well-known writer explaining how the poem (or whatever it is) works. If you would like another look at it with that in mind, do let me know!´ (26th June 1974), ´I am very pleased that you are interested in having another look at my Essay On Psychiatrists. After speaking with you on the telephone yesterday, I ´phoned Richard Howard, who remains quite eager to write a prose piece on the poem. It seems quite unlikely that he will submit any kind of sample, however. On the other hand, should you decide to publish the poem, if you tell him what length is suitable for the book, he will write his essay accordingly. He also asked me to convey that he will not expect to be paid´ (1st August 1974). Also including a carbon typed copy of a letter from Brook to Pinsky dated 12th August 1974, reluctantly declining to publish Essay On Psychiatrists and explaining at length his reasons behind his decision. VG, 5 Stephen Brook (1947- ) English author and wine journalist, a former editor of The Atlantic Monthly Magazine and publisher at Routledge, Kegan & Paul from 1976-80. Richard Howard (1929-2022) American poet, literary critic and essayist.