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All About the AuthorsSam & Beryl Epstein |
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Bruce Campbell is a pseudonym (pen name) of Samuel Epstein. Sam and Beryl Williams Epstein, individually and jointly wrote over 120 books for children. Sam is individually credited with writing the "KEN HOLT SERIES": however, discussions with Sam and Beryl, and a review of their G&D correspondence (references 1 & 2) indicated that Beryl also played an important role in this series by editing, and helping to maintain the series, and the characters consistency. Many series book collectors and researchers consider the "Ken Holt Series" to be one of the best-written series ever. As a youth, I read and enjoyed this series, and it was and still is my favorite. Recently retired, my wife Charlotte and I have had the great pleasure of meeting and then becoming friends with the Epstein's. This website is dedicated to the Epstein's and all their works. As time and energy permit, information on the Epstein's and their writings and memorabilia will be added. In the meantime, I strongly recommend the following reference material: "Something about the Author Autobiography Series, Volume 17, pages 57-101. The following brief biography appeared on the Dust Jacket of their book "Pioneer Oceanographer - Alexander Agassiz" (updated by web editor) BERYL WILLIAMS and SAMUEL EPSTEIN are a husband and wife writing team. Together they have written more than one hundred twenty books, some fiction, and the majority non-fiction in various fields, especially biography. They write for young people, but occasionally do adult magazine pieces. They are known under many pseudonyms: Charles Strong, Martin Colt, Adam Allen, and Douglas Coe. Asked about their formula for collaboration, they say, "We both do research, argue over the general plan and then divide up the actual work. Each of us usually writes about one-half of the chapters of any given book. Our individual writing styles are dissimilar, but we edit each other's chapters and try to smooth out the differences. A year or so after a book has been published, we're usually unable to remember which of us wrote any particular chapter, although there are always special sections that we remember with strong personal affection or horror. We welcome assignments that involve research in the field." Beryl Williams was born in Columbus, Ohio; attended schools in Columbus and Passaic, New Jersey; graduated from Douglass College. She was reporter and editor of the Daily Home News and Sunday Times of New Brunswick, NJ, assistant editor of American Scholar. Since 1941 she has been a freelance writer and editor. Samuel Epstein was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He attended schools in New York City, New Brunswick, New Jersey, West Palm Beach, Florida; graduated from Rutgers University. He did publicity work for an engineering firm; taught at the New York State Training School for Boys; was science editor at the New Jersey Agricultural' Experiment Station and a technical writer for the Signal Corps of the U. S. Army. The Epsteins have been married since 1938 and live in an old farmhouse in Southold, Long Island. Reference #1 -- Epstein memorabilia --Beryl 's involvement (Ken Holt Series) Background: On book number three "The Black Thumb Mystery" --The Expensive Dust Jacket artwork showed a scene not consistent with plot, to save investment in Dust jacket tooling. A new scene had to be written into book. Hugh Juergens, the G&D editor, did the initial redo. This attempt was rejected by Sam Epstein and a humorous apology letter from Hugh to Sam was written on 10/18/49. On 10/20/49 Sam mailed his corrections, a brief excerpt(s) from his letter follows: So Beryl and I did it. Enclosed you will find new pages: 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 95a, 95b, 95c, 96; pages 99, 100; page 198 Reference #2 -- Epstein Memorabilia-- Beryl 's involvement (Ken Holt Series) Background: The original plot and title "The Mystery of the Tell-Tale Fingerprints" was briefly outlined in letter of 9/12/57. The original conceived plot and title never appeared. A letter of July 2, 1958 to Anne Hagan, of G&D is excerpted as follows: Dear Anne: At long last the Stinker is finished! And were it not for Beryl picking up the bits and pieces, it never would have gotten completed. The original idea simply didn't work so we went along working out a new one bit by bit. ... Future Memorabilia With time and permission more of the fascinating Epstein's "Ken Holt " files (which I was let borrow) may be included. SPECIAL REQUEST and TRADE OFFER As a result of getting to know the Ken Holt authors, Sam and Beryl Epstein (Bruce Campbell), I created this homepage dedicated to them and their works. I would like to collect all their works, and have included my special want list of Epstein titles after my series book want list. I will trade $10 of book credit for each missing Epstein title. In general the books that I am missing are not rare or expensive titles. They are somewhat hard to identify because of the various binding sizes and pen names. They are the type books usually found at library sales or the misc. children's section of books stores. If found they seldom cost more than $3. PLEASE HELP!
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Last Revision: September 23, 2006 03:16 PM
