2/5/85

    ...Things are moving right along. Hunt continues to sell well. Now 12 weeks on the Post's BS list (currently 5th). Also hit one in San Francisco. 45,000 in print, about 40,000 of them sold, I think. I supposed to be in Time soon, maybe next week. Believe it when I see it. Did a tape interview for CBS radio that's already run. Did one also for Voice of America--now the Russians'lll really like me.

     Got a call from a lady named N——— C——— R———. She got a copy from a D.C. reporter, and was asked to deliver same to the US ambassador to Argentina. She read it on the plane, and proceeded to buy 27 copies before Christmas. One of which was under the tree of The President. She said that the President read about 1/3 of it Christmas Day, and very much liked it. She went on to say that she was trying to arrange my presence at lunch at the White House. Dear God. More to come.

     She also have a copy to Jim Brooks ("Terms of Endearment," nice movie, but a CRUMMY! ending). He also liked it. There has been a lot of movie/TV-miniseries-type attention, but as yet no money on the table. Significant, though not overwhelming, money involved in such a sale. A good point is that the book is very popular in the Navy, and that makes likely technical cooperation which would facilitate the actual production process.

     On Feb 21 I'm scheduled to have lunch with VADM N——— T———, USN, OP-02 (Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Submarine Warfare: Boss Dolphin), in the Pentagon. The scuttlebutt is that they're thinking about making Hunt a gift to all officers entering PCO School. That's Prospective Commanding Officer School, a course for guys before they reach skipperhood. Not much money involved in this, but a Major Honor! During lunch I might ask for a favor or two...like a ride. Slim possibility.

     Next Book: Sunset.

     We sold it last week. We appointed R——— G——— of the William Morris Agency to represent us. G——— is 5-10, pudgy, Jewish, about 30. He's been something of a disappointment. That is, I'd been given to expect literary agents to be shifty, unscrupulous, slimy animals. He's been totally straightforward, absolutely honest, and as personable as my Uncle Joe.

     Anyway, a few weeks ago we sent him the Sunset package, about 100 pages of text and 50 of outline. R——— sent it first to Putnam/Berkley (Berkley is doing the paperback of Hunt, probably in October). They asked for three weeks to evaluate, but came back 9 days early asking for a price at which they could execute a buy-out, without the untidy necessity of an auction. R——— quoted them a price which, on being reported to me an hour later drew a "Jesus Christ, R———!" Putnam came back with an offer. We dickered and counteroffered. They countercounteroffered, and we took it. Suffice it to say that I have income security for three or four years. Keep an eye on Publishers Weekly. It's in the hundred-K multiples. Putnam is giving us Forsyth's editor, recently arrived from Viking. Gawd. My reaction to all this is something between dumbfounded and thunderstruck. Yesterday he sent The Package to England for a foreign rights quote.

     (You see, Hunt has sold foreign rights in the UK, West Germany, the Netherlands, Spain & Argentina (they control Latin America), and Japan. Still working on France and Norway.)

     Monday Larry and I drive down to Norfolk to meet with members of the SACLANT (Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic) staff for advice and data on the Sunset campaign...WWIII at Sea, you see.

     I've met lots of people. It's truly amazing. I mean, after being an insurance hustler for SO long, now having so many people wanting to meet me (a dinner is coming up with Bob Woodward of the Post; he and Stansfield Turner (DCI under Carter) want to eyeball me) is like being suddenly cured of leprosy, if you know what I mean. I called the CIA today for some information (they have a public affairs office, strange as it seems), and once the lady realized who I was she exclaimed, "I loved your book! My boss gave it to me..." Amazing. Hey, I'm the same dull person I was ten years ago. I suppose writing gives one a certain legitimacy.

     Through it all I'm trying to keep a level head. Having to change T———'s diapers helps. A lot....

          (2/7/85)

     Last night ... we men stayed home and watched "Raiders of the Lost Ark" on the VCR. T——— loves the part when the "big wok" chases Indy out of the cave/temple, carrying the "gold munky." Little things like this remind one of the really important things in life. Like getting the Lost Ark.

     Final update, we leave for Norfolk at 0800± Sunday. The SACLANT Public Affairs Officer is a Brit, LCDR R. F. A———-S———, RN. Dealing with local RN types has been a real pleasure. They have a naval mission to the US domiciled in Crystal City, Virginia, and one guy there in particular, CDR J——— F. P———, OBE, RN, has been damned nice. Former sub-skipper (nuclear and conventional boats; his next billet might be a boomer). The Brits think tactics a little more than our guys, and talk a little more freely, too. Nice.

     Well, I have a desk to clear.

     Regards,

     [signed] Tom