Inventory of the Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill Records, 1982-2007

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Historical Note

In 1982, University of North Carolina English Professor Louis Rubin Jr., and Shannon Ravenel, a Saint Louis fiction editor who had been one of Rubin's creative writing students, formed Bright Leaf Press, Inc. Headquartered in Chapel Hill, N.C., the new publishing company's sought to publish non-fiction and literary fiction of unpublished young writers. Rubin and Ravenel's goal was to offer the kind of personalized editing that characterized American publishing earlier in the century. Ravenel has said that she remembers Rubin vision for Algonquin as "a business modeled after early versions of Scribner's, Atheneum, and Knopf, where writers were loyal to their publishers because of their relationship with editors who truly cared about the craft of fiction."

From its beginnings in a garage at Rubin's home with resources that allowed for a printing of only 1,500 copies of its first book, Algonquin, by 1993, had published 178 books. Among the authors it "discovered" were Clyde Edgerton, Dori Sanders, Jill McCorkle, Larry Brown, and Lewis Nordan.

Although a hit with authors and many book buyers, Algonquin was apparently on shaky financial ground when it turned over some of its operations to Taylor Publishing Company of Dallas in 1987. In 1989, Algonquin was acquired by the Workman Publishing Company of New York City in 1989. While Workman allows Algonquin complete editorial control over works of fiction, non-fiction books must be approved by Workman. In 1990, Rubin turned over control of Algonquin to his son Robert and to Ravenel, who closed down the company's office in her home in St. Louis and moved to Chapel Hill.

In the early 1990s, the staff of five editors read more than 2,000 manuscripts per year. In addition to literary works, Algonquin had always published non-fiction works, such as military histories, to support those fiction titles that did not sell well. Along with a new emphasis on publicity and marketing in recent years, Algonquin has also tried to broaden its publishing spectrum, including more "gift books" and calendars in its offerings. In 1995, Algonquin celebrated its first offering to make the New York Times best seller list.

(Loosely based on an article by Bob Nowell in the Chapel Hill News, 12 November 1993.)

Collection Overview

The records of Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, Inc., include correspondence and other papers of the company's founder Louis D. Rubin Jr., who served as president and editor-in-chief, and of Shannon Ravenel, vice-president and senior editor. There are also files containing correspondence, biographical information, and contracts relating to authors whose work was published by Algonquin. Editorial materials include rejection letters, edited manuscripts, and other items; production materials include notebooks on production of individual titles and correspondence between members of production teams. Many files relate to New Stories From the South. There are also illustrative materials used in books published by Algonquin, including dust jackets and illustrations; advance uncorrected proofs of books published by Algonquin; material concerning advertising and sales of Algonquin titles; book reviews and review requests; material concerning the licensing of subsidiary rights to publications; financial records of the company, including accounts received, general ledgers, accounts with vendors, auditors' reports, stock offering memoranda, and papers relating to the sale of Algonquin operations to Taylor Publishing Company of Dallas in 1987 and to Workman Publishing Company of New York City in 1989; inventory records; a few electronic files; and other items.

Files are largely in the original order as received at the Southern Historical Collection from Algonquin Books so as to reflect the business practices of the company. In most cases, original file titles have been retained. Because of the somewhat idiosyncratic nature of the file order and file titles, researchers are advised to scan each series list carefully for materials of potential interest.

Researchers should also note that only selected materials have been transferred to the Southern Historical Collection. Many files remain in the Algonquin offices; these will be transferred and added to the collection when Algonquin staff determine that they are no longer active.

Arrangement of Collection

Items Separated

Detailed Description of the Collection

1. General Files, 1982-1993.

Files chiefly maintained by Louis D. Rubin, Jr. and Shannon Ravenel. Many files relate to general operations at Algonquin Books; some are files generated by Shannon Ravenel when she operated the Algonquin Books office in St. Louis.

Correspondence and related items maintained in Louis D. Rubin Jr.'s files. Correspondence is with friends, publishers, writers, and others in the world of literature and publishing; stockholders; members of the Algonquin and Taylor Publishing Company staffs; and others. Note that most original file folder titles have been retained.

Chiefly miscellaneous Algonquin business files maintained by Louis D. Rubin Jr. Note that most original file folder titles have been retained. See also business files in other series.

"A dialogue between Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill's premier novelists"

Chiefly miscellaneous Algonquin business files maintained by Shannon Ravenel. Note that most original file folder titles have been retained. See also business files in other series.

"South to South: A Symposium on Translating the Literatures of Latin America and the Southern U.S.," 1994

2. Author Files, 1983-1989.

Files on Algonquin authors, containing biographical information, materials relating to book tours and appearances, photocopies of contracts, correspondence, clippings, and other papers. Included is a set of "author information sheets" and a set of photocopied contracts of Algonquin authors, fall 1983-fall 1989.

Note that only a few authors published by Algonquin are included in these files. Many files remain in the Algonquin offices; these will be transferred and added to the collection when Algonquin staff determine that they are no longer active.