Penny Mickelbury Papers

Collection

Identifier: GV003

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection consists largely of marked manuscripts and galley proofs of three novels by Penny Mickelbury, with accompanying letters or memos from Simon and Schuster editorial staff. The novels One Must Wait (1998), \Where to Choose (1998), and Paradise Interrupted (2001) – are all “Carole Ann Gibson” novels (name of the main character). Also included are files of correspondence pertaining to Mickelbury’s promotion in 1984 to the position of assistant news director at WJLA-TV in Washington DC, and clippings, speeches, reviews and appearance notices pertaining to her literary career.

Dates

1997-2000

Language of Materials

Collection material in English

Restrictions on Access

Materials are open to research without restriction except for portions designated as restricted, confidential, or sealed. For the latter material, prior permission in writing from the author is required.

Permission to examine this collection will be granted to any qualified researcher upon completion of an application form. The original documents do not circulate and may only be used in the Reading Room of the Special Collections and Rare Books Division.

Restrictions on Use

Photo reproduction and audio reproduction of any materials in which the author holds copyright shall be performed only with the written permission of the author.

Biographical Note

Penny Mickelbury, a journalist-turned-novelist who thinks of herself as a playwright, was born in 1948 in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1970 she became the first African-American reporter at the Georgia Banner-Herald in Athens. A former reporter for the Washington Post, Ms. Mickelbury was a political reporter for the ABC-TV affiliate in Washington, D.C., and was co-founder and managing director of New York City's Alchemy: Theater of Change. Mickelbury’s novels include Keeping Secrets and Night Songs, featuring Washington DC detective Gianna Maglione, and four “Carole Ann Gibson” novels: One Must Wait, Where to Choose, The Step Between, and Paradise Interrupted.

Extent

4 boxes

Additional Description

Abstract

Includes manuscripts and galleys for several of Mickelbury's published works, correspondence, reviews and appearance notices, and two audiotaped interviews.

Arrangement

The first three boxes are ordered by publication date of the novels to which they pertain and alphabetically in the case of two novels appearing in the same year. The fourth box contains correspondence and other materials not directly related to these novels.