Some of you may have already heard but Roger Sutton of Horn Book
confirmed this sad news --
Bill Morris, V.P. at HarperCollins Children's Books and beloved by
many of us, died this morning (Sunday) at his home after some weeks
of illness.
Bill Morris was an icon in the world of children's books and
publicity. I remember several incidents which made me realize why
Bill was so very much loved -- even by those of us who were not the
authors he publicized so well.
I first encountered Bill several years ago when he greeted me at the
door of a HarperCollins reception. He glanced just a second at my
name tag and said, "That was a very nice article about author
visits." -- i thanked him but was thinking inside "what is that man
talking about." Only inside did I realize that the article I had
written months earlier for a magazine in the industry had finally
been published - -and somehow he had read it before I even had a
copy. Not only did he read it he remembered the author and connected
the two.
Another time I called to inquire if my daughter who would be
accompanying me to a convention would be welcome to attend a rather
large reception Harper was having at the convention. Several months
later the convention (and reception) arrived -- and there was Bill at
the door greeting me AND acknowledging my daughter (who did not have
a name tag on) by name.
I have several more stories that attest to his powers of recall and
his absolute "on top of things" role at the publishing house.
I will always treasure my copy of *Frank and Joey Eat Lunch* by
Arthur Yorinks and Maurice Sendak -- not because of the
author/illustrator choose an innovative method of illustrating the
text with photos superimposed on settings they created -- but because
Bill Morris is pictured on one of the inner pages with a large sub
landing on his head -- "'Uh-oh!' said Joey."
Many will echo my humble sentiments -- the field of children's
literature have truly lost a legend.
Sharron McElmeel
--
====================================================
Sharron L. McElmeel
Writer/Webkeeper/Educational Consultant
McBookwords -- http://www.mcelmeel.com
ph. (319) 393-2562
fax (319) 393-4749
mcelmeel@mcelmeel.com
3000 N. Center Point Rd.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52411-9548
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