Cameron Hawley
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Cameron Hawley (September 19, 1905 – February 9, 1969), was an American writer of fiction from Howard, South Dakota. Much of Hawley's output concerned the pressures of modern life, particularly in a business setting. He published numerous novels and short stories.
Hawley's novel Executive Suite was the first title published by Ballantine Books in 1952. Ian Ballantine announced that he would "offer trade publishers a plan for simultaneous publishing of original titles in two editions, a hardcover 'regular' edition for bookstore sale, and a paper-cover, 'newsstand' size, low-priced edition for mass market sale." The publishing industry sat up and took notice, because the simultaneous hardcover and paperback editions of Executive Suite were obvious successes. Houghton Mifflin published the $3.00 hardcover at the same time Ballantine distributed its 35¢ paperback. By February 1953 Ballantine had sold 375,000 copies and was preparing to print 100,000 more. Houghton Mifflin sold 20,500 hardback copies. Instead of hurting hardback sales, the paperback edition gave the book more publicity. Movie rights were sold to MGM, and Robert Wise directed the 1954 film, featuring William Holden, June Allyson, Barbara Stanwyck, Fredric March, Walter Pidgeon, Shelley Winters and Nina Foch. It was nominated for four Academy Awards.
Hawley's novel Cash McCall was made into a film in 1960 starring James Garner and Natalie Wood.
Selected bibliography (short stories and novels)
- Executive Suite (1952)
- Cash McCall (1955)
- The Lincoln Lords (1960)
- The Hurricane Years (1968)
