Sterling Lord, the uniquely enduring literary agent who worked for years to find a publisher for Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" and over the following decades arranged deals for everyone from. In 1957, the book was released, The New York Times raved, and On the Road soon entered the American canon. NEW YORK (AP) Sterling Lord, an exceptionally tough literary agent, worked for years to find a publisher for Jack Kerouacs On the Road and over the next decades arranged deals for everyone from true-crime author Joe McGinnis to creators Berenstains books are dead. In 1957, the book was released, the New York Times raved, and On the Road soon entered the American canon. He negotiated terms between McGinniss and accused killer Jeffrey MacDonald, later convicted, for the true crime classic Fatal Vision. He found a publisher for Nicholas Pileggis mob story Wiseguy and helped arrange the deal for its celebrated film adaptation, Goodfellas., In the early 1960s, Viking had asked Lord to get a blurb from Kerouac for One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, Keseys first and most famous novel. According to the funeral home, the following Read More, Carrie Anderson Born: July 28, 1937 in Princeton, West Virginia Died: January 12, 2023 in Sterling, Illinois Carrie Anderson, 85, of Sterling died Thursday January 12, 2023 at her home. [6], In 2015, the city of Burlington held its first Sterling Lord Writers and Readers Festival to honor him. His upbringing, he would later write, was the kind of pleasant, orderly world the Beats were trampling on in the fifties and sixties.. He married Donna Smith on June Read More, Carla Ullrich Born: December 11, 1965 in Elizabethtown, KY Died: February 13, 2023 in Sterling, IL Carla Ullrich, age 57, of Loretto, KY, died Monday, February 13, 2023 at Rock River Hospice and Home in Sterling. Gordon married Read More, Maurice Sweitzer Born: November 20, 1939 in Freeport, IL Died: January 21, 2023 in Sterling, IL Maurice E. Sweitzer, 83 of Sterling died Saturday January 21, 2023 at CGH Medical Center in Sterling. 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Kerouac already had completed a conventional novel, The Town and the City, but had no agent and surely needed one for his next book: On the Road was typed, as Lord was among the first to know, on a 120-foot scroll of architectural tracing paper., Lord believed that Kerouac had a fresh, distinctive voice that should be heard. But the industry was not in the mood. But Lord had little involvement in the project, directed by Walter Salles and starring Sam Riley and Kristen Stewart. He stayed with the company he founded until he was nearly 100 and then decided to launch a new one. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Rebecca Lord, his only immediate survivor. Another was Rowland Barber, who helped the silent Marx brother write Harpo Speaks!. Books and tennis were lifelong passions for Lord, born in Burlington, Iowa, in 1920. Mr. Lord embraced Merry Pranksters and mobsters as well as more conventional types. Johnsons The Vantage Point, ultimately published in 1971, was dismissed by critics as bland and uninformative. PA., in 1907, the only daughter of Raymond Sterling Lord and Carrie Little Paul. Lord was married four times, and had one child, Rebecca. Sterling Lord, the uniquely enduring literary agent who worked for years to find a publisher for Jack Kerouacs On the Road and arranged deals for everyone from true crime writer Joe McGinniss to the creators of the Berenstain Bears, has died. Lord believed that Kerouac had a fresh, distinctive voice worth hearing. But the industry was not in the mood. In the early 1960s, Viking asked Lorde to obtain publicity from Kerouac for One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, Keseys first and best-known novel. Mr. Lord gradually yielded day-to-day management and eventually sold his stock. Sterling Lord, the literary agent who worked for years to find a publisher for Jack Kerouacs On the Road and over the following decades arranged deals for a roster of clients that ranged from true-crime writer Joe McGinniss to the creators of the Berenstain Bears, died Sept. 3 at a nursing home in Ocala, Fla., on his 102nd birthday. Dining with him, Mr. Greenfield recalled in another 2013 email, you felt as if you were in a different time as if Maxwell Perkins might show up for coffee.. In 1987, Mr. Lord joined the agent Peter Matson to form Sterling Lord Literistic. Sterling Lord, uniquely enduring literary agent, dead at 102 Lord instead found a deal for Quotations from Chairman LBJ, a bestselling parody. Even younger editors who may have related to Kerouacs jazzy celebration of youth and personal freedom turned him down. Sterling Lord was born in Burlington, Iowa, on Sept. 3, 1920. Sterling Lord Dead: Agent For Jack Kerouac's 'On The Road' Was 102 Carolyn was born on November 26, 1947 in Freeport Read More, Lucy Anderson in Rock Falls, IL in Sterling, IL Lucy Anderson, 94 of Sterling died Monday February 20, 2023 at Rock River Hospice and Home. He didnt bother to attend a special screening, citing mixed early reviews, and didnt show up for a private party for the film. His full list of clients produced works about sports, politics, murder and the suffering of illustrated animals. Frankly, I didnt want to deal with the situation at home, he told the Des Moines Register in 2015. Lord oversaw Kerouacs numerous posthumous releases even as he battled the authors family for control of the estate. Lord died Saturday, Sept 3, 2022 in a Skilled Nursing home in Ocala, Florida, according to his daughter, Rebecca Lord. Sterling Lord, uniquely enduring literary agent, dies at 102 Anyone can read what you share. Lord would also speak proudly of a project he declined: Lyndon Johnsons memoir. NEW YORK (AP) Sterling Lord, the uniquely enduring literary agent who worked for years to find a publisher for Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" and over the following decades arranged deals for everyone from true crime writer Joe McGinniss to the creators of the Berenstain Bears, has died. But it is not a well-made novel, not a marketable one, or even, I think, a good one.. By 1955, Kerouac was ready to give up but Lord was not. But he was alert to new trends and an early ambassador for a revolutionary cultural movement: the Beats. He found a publisher for Nicholas Pileggis short story Wiseguy and helped arrange a deal for his famous adaptation of Goodfellas.. Barbara Ehrenreich, the author, journalist and political activist who penned the groundbreaking book on minimum wage Nickel and Dimed, died Thursday. Lord had met many agents during his magazine years and believed they failed to understand that the American public was becoming more urban and sophisticated. NEW YORK (AP) Sterling Lord, the uniquely enduring literary agent who worked for years to find a publisher for Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" and over the following decades arranged deals for everyone from true crime writer Joe McGinniss to the creators of the Berenstain Bears, has died. He also prided himself on his sympathy for writers who lived far more wildly than he did. Lord had quick success by selling film rights to two popular sports books, Rocky Grazianos Somebody Up There Likes Me and Jimmy Piersalls Fear Strikes Out. But Lords On the Road quest would prove bumpier. But into his 90s he remained the highest-earning agent in the office. His first marriage, he would acknowledge, helped inspire him to go into business for himself. The uniquely enduring literary agent who worked for years to find a publisher for Jack Kerouacs On the Road and over the following decades arranged deals for everyone from true crime writer Joe McGinniss to the creators of the Berenstain Bears, has died. After serving in the Army Air Force during World War II, Lord co-owned the Germany-based magazine Weekend, which soon folded. He had a good death and died peacefully of old age, she told the Associated Press. FILE - In this Jan. 8 2013 file photo, literary agent Sterling Lord speaks during an interview in his New York office. Sterling Lord, the uniquely enduring literary agent who worked for years to find a publisher for Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" and over the . NEW YORK (AP) Sterling Lord, the uniquely enduring literary agent who worked for years to find a publisher for Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" and over the following decades arranged deals for. Sterling Lord, literary agent who shepherded On the Road, dies at 102, Kyle Kuzma, Wizards start fast and dont look back in win over Raptors, Nationals relievers see benefit in tinkering with new pitches, Roger Goodell, Muriel Bowser discussed future of RFK site in December call. Sterling Lord, premier literary agent, is dead at 102 Kerouac declined, but Mr. Lord was so impressed by the book that he ended up representing Kesey for his next work, Sometimes a Great Notion.. Sterling Lord, who opened his own agency in 1952 and later merged with rival Literistic to form Sterling Lord Literistic Inc., was a failed magazine publisher who became almost certainly the longest-running agent in the book business. Sterling Lawrence. With rare persistence, he endured the initial unwillingness of publishers to take on Kerouacs unorthodox narrative, and he later was the longtime agent for poet and playwright Amiri Baraka, novelist Ken Kesey, and poet and City Lights bookstore owner Lawrence Ferlinghetti. It took Mr. Lord four years to sell the book, for a measly $1,000. Books and tennis were lifelong passions for Lord, born in Burlington, Iowa, in 1920. Thanks to his friendship with Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, Lord helped launch Stan and Jan Berenstains multimillion-selling books about an anthropomorphic bear family. The agent eventually sold excerpts to The Paris Review and the periodical New World Writing. Then there was his perfect moniker. What was your name before you changed it? a friend once asked Sterling Lord. With rare persistence, he endured the initial unwillingness of publishers to take on Kerouacs unorthodox narrative and was later the longtime agent for poet and playwright Amiri Baraka, novelist Ken Kesey and poet and City Lights bookstore owner Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Local obituaries for Sterling, Illinois 407 Results Saturday, February 25, 2023 Add Photos 6 Memories Anne Atilano Anne Atilano Born: July 26, 1927 in Gary, IN Died: February 20, 2023 in. When Kerouac died in October 1969, Mr. Lord was at his funeral, both incongruous natty as ever in his blue shirt with the white collar and a dark necktie, as the Beat writer and historian John Clellon Holmes later wrote and at home amid the aging Beats, youthful acolytes and assorted locals gathered at a Roman Catholic church in Lowell, Mass. A native of Miami, FL. First, Im interested in good writing. Second, I am interested in new and good ideas. Read the obituary of Elijah W. Sterling (1933 - 2019) from Centreville, MD. But Kerouac was a shy and fragile man, Lord wrote. Lord studied English at Grinnell College, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1942. In his 2013 memoir, Lord of Publishing, Mr. Lord remembered meeting Kerouac in 1952. Local obituaries for Sterling, Colorado 342 Results Thursday, March 2, 2023 Add Photos Add a Memory Leo Stieb Leo Jerome Stieb Sr., "Shorty", age 84, was a long-time resident of Iliff,. Obituary Note: Sterling Lord | Shelf Awareness Second, I am interested in new and good ideas. All rights reserved. Rarely, he boasted, did he scour for clients, let alone steal them as others were increasingly wont to do. After an influential career in publishing books for young readers,. Lord turned them down, much to their surprise and anger. Kerouac declined, but Lord was so impressed by the book that he ended up representing Kesey for his next work, Sometimes a Great Notion.. He was born on November 20, 1939 in Freeport, IL the son of Edwin and Ruth (Lynch) Read More, Alan "Al" Wildman Born: November 28, 1942 Died: January 19, 2023 in Sterling, IL Alan D. "Al" Wildman, 80, of Sterling died January 19, 2023 at CGH Medical Center in Sterling. Thanks to his friendship with Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, Lord helped launch Stan and Jan Berenstains multimillion-selling books about an anthropomorphic bear family. He had a good death and died peacefully of old age, she told The Associated Press. But Kerouac was a shy and fragile man, Lord wrote. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. Sterling Lord, uniquely enduring literary agent, dies at 102 But his success began with an unknown named Jack Kerouac and his hard-to-sell novel On the Road.. But this is not a well-made novel, nor a saleable one nor even, I think, a good one.. Hes OK., Mr. Lords clients appreciated his gentility, which appeared in ever-sharper relief as the book business became increasingly commercial and cutthroat. His clients included Jack Kerouac, Ken Kesey, Howard Fast, Jimmy Breslin, and Doris Kearns Goodwin . Sterling Lord, literary agent who shepherded 'On the Road,' dies at 102 His vast roster of clients included Jack Kerouac, true-crime writer Joe McGinniss, novelist Ken Kesey and journalist. Lord was married four times and had one child, Rebecca. Lord would also speak proudly of a project he declined: Lyndon Johnsons memoir. (He was married four times in all and had one child, Rebecca.). She was born on February 4, 1936 in Benton, IL the daughter of Claud and Myrtle (Smith) Read More, Barbara G. Mammosser Born: August 6, 1945 in Sterling, IL Died: February 25, 2023 in Sterling, IL Barbara G. Mammosser, age 77, of Rock Falls, died Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Rock River Hospice and Home in Sterling. Gordon was born January 26, 1940, the son of Eugene and Mary Ellen Mool of El Paso, Illinois. Beulah was born on May 3rd, 1934 in Sterling Illinois, Read More, Loren W. Ekquist Born: September 16, 1933 in Drakesville, IA Died: January 26, 2023 in Sterling, IL Loren W. Ekquist, 89 of Sterling, died Thursday, January 26, 2023 at Rock River Hospice and Home in Sterling. He had one daughter. Leave your condolences and send flowers to the family to show you care. Rita "Ma Brauer" was born April 23, 1940 in Rock Island, the daughter of Forest and Priscilla (Campos) Read More, Beatrice Anne Boone Born: August 31, 1945 in Guyana Died: February 2, 2023 in Camanche, IA Beatrice Anne Boone, age 77, passed peacefully at home in Camanche, IA on February 2, 2023. Loren was born on September 16, 1933 in Drakesville, Iowa, the son Read More, Arvilla M. Siddens Born: November 1, 1926 in Sterling, IL Died: January 21, 2023 in Sterling, IL Arvilla M. Siddens, 96, of Sterling (formerly of Polo) passed away Saturday, January 21, 2023 with family by her side. His full roster of clients produced works about sports, politics, murder and the travails of illustrated animals. Lord died Saturday in a nursing home in Ocala, Florida, according to his daughter, Rebecca Lord. Sterling Lord, literary agent for Kerouac's 'On the Road,' dies A third author on hand that day, the writer Nicholas Pileggi, had been a client for at least 50 years. Kerouac declined, but Lorde was so impressed with the book that he ended up pitching Kesey for his next work, Sometimes a Big Idea. Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, Americans are spending money on beauty despite a pullback elsewhere | Ways of life, Police: 2 dead, 5 injured in Norfolk, Virginia. The agent eventually sold excerpts to The Paris Review and the periodical New World Writing. Sterling Lord obituary | Register | The Times . With rare persistence, he endured the initial unwillingness of publishers to take on Kerouacs unorthodox narrative and was later the longtime agent for poet and playwright Amiri Baraka, novelist Ken Kesey and poet and City Lights bookstore owner Lawrence Ferlinghetti. And they prized his equilibrium, which reassured them when things seemed to be flying apart. He represented former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara and Judge John J. Sirica of Watergate fame and worked often with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis during her time as an editor with Doubleday and Viking. Back in the United States, he served as an editor at True and Cosmopolitan, from which he was fired, before founding the Sterling Lord Literary Agency. He had just turned 102. Dodgers announcer Vin Scully, Queen Elizabeth II, NBA great Bill Russell and country icon Loretta Lynn are among the notable deaths of 2022. He died on Saturday in Ocala, Florida. He negotiated terms between McGinniss and accused killer Jeffrey MacDonald, later convicted, for the true crime classic Fatal Vision. He found a publisher for Nicholas Pileggis mob story Wiseguy and helped arrange the deal for its celebrated film adaptation, Goodfellas., In the early 1960s, Viking had asked Lord to get a blurb from Kerouac for One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, Keseys first and most famous novel. Joe McGinniss, for whom Mr. Lord handled the celebrated 1969 study of the marketing of Richard M. Nixon, The Selling of the President 1968, said in an interview for this obituary in 2013, a year before he himself died: Sterlings career encapsulated the rise and fall of literary nonfiction in post-World War II America. Mr. Lord turned them down, much to their surprise and anger. The Plain Dealer. Judy was born on May 13, 1948 in Dixon, the daughter of Wilbur and LaVon (Maxwell) Mackey Read More, Lorraine Kunde Born: February 26, 1935 in Milledgeville, IL Died: January 29, 2023 in Crystal City, MO Lorraine Kunde, 87, formerly of Sterling, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 29, 2023, with family by her side, at Crystal Oaks Skilled Care in Crystal City, MO. Sterling Lord was born in Burlington, Iowa, on Sept. 3, 1920, the son of Sterling and Ruth Towne Whiting Lord. Even younger editors who could relate to Kerouacs jazzy celebration of youth and personal freedom turned him down. Lord was married four times, and had one child, Rebecca. Sterling Obituaries | Local Obits for Sterling, IL - Legacy.com In 1957, the book was published, The New York Times was delighted, and On the Road soon entered the American canon. When a book he had handled came out in Portuguese, an unwitting translator rendered the grateful authors dedication as to the Supreme God.. After serving in the Air Force during World War II, Lord became part owner of the German magazine Weekend, which soon went out of business. [3] He died in Ocala, Florida, on September 3, 2022, his 102nd birthday. NEW YORK Sterling Lord, the uniquely enduring literary agent who worked for years to find a publisher for Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" and over the following decades arranged deals for. He had just turned 102. Their antennae on Sterling was You could trust him. Elijah W. Sterling of Dover, DE, went home to be with the Lord on November 21, 2019. His clients included Jack Kerouac, Ken Kesey, Howard Fast, Jimmy Breslin, and Doris Kearns Goodwin. Mr. Lords tennis skills he had played since he was 5 years old, was nationally ranked as a teenager and in 1949 took the French national champion Marcel Bernard to five sets proved a great asset, bestowing on a small-town Iowan a confidence that he might otherwise have lacked. And thirdly, I managed to get acquainted with unusually interesting people.. Born in Crisfield, MD, on February 18, 1933, he was the son of the late Charles and Laura Mae Sterling. Frankly, I didn't want to deal with the situation at home, he told the Des Moines Register in 2015. His upbringing, he later wrote, was the kind of pleasant, orderly world the Beats were trampling on in the fifties and sixties.. It began when his mother would read to him after dinner; he went on to edit his high school newspaper and work as a sports stringer around the same time for the Des Moines Register. Sterling Lord, uniquely enduring literary agent, dies at 102 "The Selling of the President 1968," said in an interview for this obituary in 2013, a year before he himself died: "Sterling's career encapsulated the rise and fall of literary . [3], Last edited on 5 September 2022, at 21:13, "The Agent from Iowa Who Found Greatness", "Legendary Literary Agent Sterling Lord on How Jack Kerouac Got His Start", "Sterling Lord, Premier Literary Agent, Is Dead at 102", "Sterling Lord '42, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters", "A Memoir by Kerouac's Agent, Sterling Lord", "Lawrence Ferlinghetti Celebrates His 100th Birthday With a Novel", "Little Boy by Lawrence Ferlinghetti review unleashing the word-hoard", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sterling_Lord&oldid=1108705940, This page was last edited on 5 September 2022, at 21:13. Kerouac had already finished the regular novel The Town and the City , but had no agent and certainly needed one for his next book: On the Road was printed, Lord was one of the first to learn, on a 120-foot roll of architectural tracing paper . Lord instead found a deal for Quotations from Chairman LBJ, a bestselling parody. Lord attended the author's funeral alongside fellow Beat Poet, Allen Ginsberg. Mr. Lord didnt keep his original manuscript of Kerouacs On the Road, nor did he ever procure a signed copy for himself. Published Sept. 5, 2022 6:11 a.m. PDT. Iowa native and agent to Kerouac, Kesey, McNamara: Sterling Lord dies