Morton L. Janklow
Morton L. "Mort" Janklow | |
---|---|
Born | Morton Lloyd Janklow May 30, 1930 New York City, U.S. |
Died | May 25, 2022 Water Mill, New York, U.S. | (aged 91)
Education | Syracuse University Columbia Law School |
Occupation | Literary agent |
Spouses | Marjorie Perrin
(m. 1953; div. 1959)Linda LeRoy (m. 1960) |
Children | 2 |
Relatives | Mervyn LeRoy (father-in-law) Harry Warner (grandfather-in-law) |
Morton Lloyd Janklow (May 30, 1930 – May 25, 2022) was an American literary agent, the primary partner in Janklow & Nesbit Associates, a New York–based
Early life
Janklow was born in
Career
After practicing law in the
Janklow became a literary agent in 1972, when his friend and client, William Safire, asked him to handle a book he was writing about Richard Nixon.[2] Janklow successfully negotiated a $250,000 deal with publisher William Morrow and Company for Before the Fall (1975). He also ushered in a new era in authors' rights when he successfully sued William Morrow for violating their contract when it tried to abandon the book.[5] According to him, "they said, 'You can't force a publisher to print a book; that's never been done' ... we took the publisher out of the captain's seat and put the author in it. The publisher is replaceable; the author is not."[7] Another version of this story emphasized Janklow's role in changing the standard publishing agreement to be more fair for authors. Janklow is quoted as saying "I'm not trying to force the publisher to publish the book. I'm just trying to force the publisher to pay for it."[8] He ultimately recouped about one-third of his advance, a ground-breaking amount at a time when writers normally had to return all the money.[5]
Janklow formed Morton L. Janklow Associates in 1977, distinct from his law firm.
In 1982, Janklow founded the Morton L. Janklow Program for Advocacy in the Arts at Columbia University and later established the Morton L. Janklow Professorship of Literary and Artistic Property Law; Janklow also taught in the program.[6]
Notable clients
- Barbara Taylor Bradford[2]
- Thomas Harris[10]
- Judith Krantz[7]
- Michael Moore[11]
- Pope John Paul II[7]
- Nancy Reagan[12]
- Ronald Reagan[12][13]
- Anne Rice[14]
- William Safire[7]
- Sidney Sheldon[7]
- Danielle Steel[2]
- Barbara Walters[2]
Personal life
Janklow married his first wife, Marjorie Perrin, in 1953. They divorced in 1959.[2] One year later, he married Linda LeRoy, the daughter of Mervyn LeRoy and granddaughter of Harry Warner.[3][2] They had two children: Angela and Luke.[2]
Janklow died on the morning of May 25, 2022, at his home in Water Mill, New York, five days before his 92nd birthday. He had heart failure prior to his death.[2][15]
References
- ^ Marquis 1991, p. 521
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o McFadden, Robert D. (May 25, 2022). "Morton L. Janklow, Agent for Best-Selling Authors, Dies at 91". The New York Times. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ a b Morrisroe 1987
- ^ Salzberg, Charles (2012). "Friendship Forged in Orange" (PDF). Syracuse University Magazine.
Janklow wanted to go into the foreign service, but a professor warned him not to. "You're Jewish and there's a ceiling you won't be able to break through," he recalls being told.
- ^ a b c d e f Italie, Hillel (May 26, 2022). "Literary 'superagent' Mort Janklow dies at 91". Associated Press. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "In Memoriam: Morton L. Janklow '53, Preeminent Literary Agent". Columbia Law School. May 26, 2022. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Columbia Law School Publishing". Retrieved April 20, 2010.
- ^ Gladwell 2010
- ^ Ferrari-Adler 2008
- ^ Colford, Paul D. (June 2, 1999). "Delacorte Expects Huge Appetite for 'Lambs' Sequel". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ My Protector | Ep. 243 Rumble with Michael Moore podcast, retrieved June 7, 2022
- ^ ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
- ISBN 978-0-679-45659-9.
- ^ "Fall 2018" (PDF). Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ Cader, Michael (May 25, 2022). "Literary Agent Mort Janklow Dies at 91". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
Bibliography
- Ferrari-Adler, Jofie (January 2008), "Agents & Editors: A Q&A With Agent Lynn Nesbit", Poets & Writers
- Gladwell, Malcolm (October 11, 2010), "Talent Grab", The New Yorker, pp. 88–89
- Janklow, Morton (September 27, 2009), "Remembering Bill Safire", The Daily Beast
- Marquis (1991). ISBN 0-8379-1110-9.
- Morrisroe, Patricia (February 2, 1987). Mega Mort. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
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