1982-1984. Correspondence and publicity related to Crossroads, Morris's second book and first novel. The file includes a completed author questionnaire; four typed letters signed; two typed notes signed; one autograph letter signed; Morris's own 4-page synopsis of the book; her C.V.; an author photo and press release; retained copies of several letters; and one typed postcard signed from Joyce Carol Oates declining, on principle, to provide commentary but adding that she has been "a supporter of Mary for some time." When the file begins, Morris is still working on the manuscript (which she submits a month later) and trying to come up with a title. Her submitted questionnaire lists filmmaking and travel among her interests: specifically, she is "working on a proposal for a film about women in the third world." She offers an impressive list of writers who may be interested in providing comment (including Oates, Ann Beattie, Anne Tyler, Margaret Atwood, Jayne Anne Phillips, Raymond Carver, E.L Doctorow, etc.). At the galley stage, Morris is reconsidering character names and musing about the need for an added scene ("--a confrontation, a blow-up. Maybe even just a little paragraph"). Three months prior to publication, she loses a debate about redesigning the dust jacket. The author photo included here differs from the one used on the book. Post-publication, Morris informs her publisher that she has been awarded the first ever prize for literature from the American Council for the Arts (and now she's off to Europe). The lot is fine. Morris has written novels and short fiction, and she has been widely praised for a series of travel memoirs. [#036722] $1,000