I first became aware of Mirrlees when I read the American paperback edition published by Lin Carter. This prompted me to purchase a copy of “A Fly in Amber.” Since that book was in print, and Carter had written that he was unable to trace Mirrlees, sometime in the early 1970s I wrote a letter to the publisher of “Amber,” asking if there was any way to contact Mirrlees. In response, Mirrlees either contacted me directly, or did so after the publisher gave her address to me. She was unaware of the paperback edition. I believe I wrote to Carter, but in any event the two of them established contact and presumably a payment was made to Mirrlees. I think Carter wrote a brief note to me to this effect.

Subsequently I received a few letters from Mirrlees. I do not have any exact memory of their content, but think they were more autobiographical in nature rather than concerned with her literary efforts. She also sent a copy of one of her poetry collections to me. I do not recall the title.

These letters, including the note from Carter, should still be in my possession. I thought they were in a collection of letters I have received from various authors, but that is not the case. Therefore they must be kept in the envelope that the volume of poetry was sent in. All of this material should be in one of the many boxes of books in my basement, which were put into storage four years ago when I moved. I will try to find them, but this will take a few months, as I am preparing to leave the country for a trip abroad this month.

Good luck with your thesis!

Sincerely,

Richard Mills

HW