Letter from Louise Kertesz to Richard Eberhart

A typewritten letter, dated November 15th, 1980. From Louise Kertesz to Richard Eberhart. Louise thanks Eberhart for sending her the copy of her book, since the cost of copies is steep and people are always asking if she has an extra copy. Louise appreciates Eberhart’s good words about her book, and thanks him for sending it to Robert Pinsky. Kertesz states that the book will be in libraries, and that is what’s important. Louise says that she wished she could be there during Eberhart;s award ceremony at the Hotel Pierre, and that she remembers Eberhart made way for Muriel. She hopes Eberhart will be coming her way before long, since Chris and she had a wonderful time in Cranbrook. The DIA is bringing in poets for a series in 1980-1981, and Louise would be glad if Eberhart appeared in that series. Louise says that she is teaching Freshman English part-time at Wayne State University in Detroit, and that she and her husband moved to downtown Detroit in September, and that they find it “...a very stimulating city whose ‘renaissance’ we are counting on.” Louise describes her job as honest and basic, like carpentry or something utterly useful like that. Louise states she wouldn't mind if the school asked her to stay a while, (or forever) and teach poetry or higher matters, but Michigan’s economy is doing poorly, and President Bonner announced budget cuts for the University, and that may mean the elimination of Louise’s job. Louise sent Eberhart a copy of one of her poems that appeared in a literary magazine. If Louise loses her job, there is always poetry ,which is “...nourishing in its way, as I needn't tell you.” If Louise is cast out of academia, perhaps work in the Motor City would be good for her muse, but Joyce Carol Oates has “mined this vein.”’ Louise gives Eberhart her best wishes.