1989 Non-Fiction / Letters Del Rey Books

Grumbles from the Grave

Essential biographical letters

Narrative Synopsis

Edited by Virginia Heinlein after Robert's death, this candid collection of personal letters to his literary agent Lurton Blassingame and editor John W. Campbell provides an unfiltered, witty, and pugnacious look into Heinlein's writing methods, financial struggles, editorial battles, and artistic principles.

I write to pay the mortgage and buy groceries. Everything else is commentary.
Notable Passage

Historical & Editorial Context

Includes Heinlein's famous "Five Rules for Writing": 1. You must write. 2. You must finish what you write. 3. You must refrain from rewriting, except to editorial order. 4. You must put it on the market. 5. You must keep it on the market until it has sold.