Letter from Louise Kertesz to Muriel Rukeyser

Original typewritten letter, dated June 24th, 1977. The letter is from Louise Kertesz to Muriel Rukeyser. Louise thanks Rukeyser for their long conversation yesterday, and that she is very eager to see her in person. Louise is happy that Muriel sounded so well and strong, and that Louise doesn't want to overstay her welcome when they meet. Louise plans to take the bus on July 11th, arriving at Fort Authority a little before noon. Louise will come right over. She can stay until 5, which is when she will have to go to Penn Station to commute to New Jersey, where she will be staying with friends until the following morning, arriving at Rukeyser’s at about 9 and staying again until 5. During the second day, Louise would like to examine the materials that they have discussed which she will detail later in the letter. If it would be desirable, Louise is planning to see her again on the third day, as Rukeyser suggested. Louise’s family is prepared to bear her absence for a fourth day if she and Muriel could use the time. Yesterday, Louise sent Susan Hernandez at Indiana University Press her pages on Rukeyser’s three latest books of poetry and pages about Harlot. Louise also sent the press a letter which asked if they would give her a definite answer soon so she can look for another publisher if she has to. Louise would appreciate it if Rukeyser could call her friend at Indiana University Press. The reason that Indiana University Press was on the top of the list of publishers is that John Gallman, the director, worte Louise many months ago after reading the first chapter of Louise’s book, saying, “Place Indiana at the top of your list of interested publishers”. He also invited Louise to send the manuscript in January. In case she needs it, Louise asks if Rukeyser can give her a letter that she can use with other publishers, and if Rukeyser can have the letter ready by the time Louise meets with her in July. In the next few days, Louise will prepare and send Rukeyser a chronology of her life that she assembled from information that Rukeyser had given her and from printed information from various sources. When Louise and Rukeyser meet,Louise would like to verify that chronology and expand it if necessary. Louise will also send her additional questions that she hopes Rukeyser can answer when they next meet. If Rukeyser has no objections, Louise would like to bring a tape recorder with her which she will use with Rukeyser’s permission when it seems appropriate. As for the material that Rukeyser offered to let Louise see, Louise says it would be best to look at them in her apartment, but Rukeyser can also arrange for the library to have them available on Tuesday the 12th. The letter cuts off here, and no information about what Louise wanted to see is given. It is highly probable that the letter went on for another page