FRIDAY’S FORGOTTEN BOOKS #462: OH, FOR THE LIFE OF AN AUTHOR’S WIFE By Elizabeth Charlier Brown


Chad Calkins edited this memoir from the 1950s which gives us a new picture of Science Fiction and Mystery writer Fredric Brown. Elizabeth Charlier Brown is Fredric Brown’s second wife. Fredric Brown paid alimony and child support to his first wife and his two sons. Elizabeth Charlier Brown’s memoir describes their nomadic life. Fredric Brown, in the words of his wife, was a “rolling stone.” He never wanted to stay in one place very long. So the couple moved to New York City, Albuquerque, Taos, Santa Fe, Los Angeles, and Tucson over the years. My main interest was in Fredric Brown’s writing process. He played a harmonica when his writing dragged (later, Brown played a flute!). Fredric Brown would take long bus rides in order to concentrate his mind on a story problem or a plot twist.

Fredric and Elizabeth Brown had plenty of friends: Mack Reynolds, Walt Sheldon, Jack Williamson, Dorothy B. Hughes, Lenore Glen Offord, Reginald Bretnor, and Micky Spillane. If you’re a Fredric Brown fan, you’ll enjoy how Brown wrote his classic books like Madball and The Lights in the Sky Are Stars as well as The Lenient Beast, Rogue in Space, and Martians, Go Home.. Elizabeth Charlier Brown shares insights into the life of a wonderful writer. Jack Seabrook provides an informative “Introduction” to both Fredric and Elizabeth Brown. Don’t miss this one! GRADE: A

21 thoughts on “FRIDAY’S FORGOTTEN BOOKS #462: OH, FOR THE LIFE OF AN AUTHOR’S WIFE By Elizabeth Charlier Brown

  1. Jeff Meyerson

    I just read the review on James Reasoner’s blog and immediately thought, this is a book for George. Great minds think alike! Will definitely get this one,

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Jeff, I learned a lot about Fredric Brown and his writing process from OH, FOR THE LIFE OF AN AUTHOR’S WIFE. There’s a lot of domestic detail so be prepared for that.

      Reply
    1. george Post author

      Dan, I was surprised (though I shouldn’t have been) at the payment schemes of the book publishers back in the 1950s. Fredric Brown had to wait for THREE YEARS before he got paid. And, when he sold paperback rights for his books, he had to “share” that money with the hardcover publisher!

      Reply
      1. Todd Mason

        It was standard in those years that the hardcover publishers took half(!) the paperback royalties.

        If you recall how bitter Patricia Highsmith was over the small money she was getting from being published by Knopf (if al the “prestige” she could eat) while living with Marijane Meaker, who was getting A Lot more money from being published by Fawcett Gold Medal, you have further perspective on this ridiculous state of affairs.

      2. george Post author

        Todd, Fredric Brown and his wife were always concerned about money and royalty payments according to OH, FOR THE LIFE OF AN AUTHOR’S WIFE.

    1. george Post author

      Rick, I’m always interested in a writer’s “process” and OH, FOR THE LIFE OF AN AUTHOR’S WIFE reveals a lot about how Fredric Brown worked. Fascinating stuff!

      Reply
  2. Cap'n Bob

    William Campbell Gault and his wife hated Brown’s second wife, the author of this book! He told me a very funny story about the time the Browns pulled up to his house to visit and Bill and Virginia didn’t answer the door!

    Reply
    1. Chad Calkins

      Interesting story, Bob, thanks for sharing. In Elizabeth Brown’s memoir, she speaks glowingly about the Gaults!

      Reply
  3. Elgin Bleecker

    This sounds like a good read, George. A dozen years ago I read Sheila Hailey’s book, I MARRIED A BEST SELLER, about her husband, Arthur Hailey. But I don’t recall much process discussed other than how incredibly neat and organized he was in his writing room.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Elgin, I was most interested in Fredric Brown’s writing process that his wife described in OH, FOR THE LIFE OF AN AUTHOR’S WIFE. I had no idea Fredric Brown played the harmonica (and later the flute!) when his writing stalled!

      Reply

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