To Julian Bond from R. Baird Shuman, 6 June 1968, with Bond's draft response

June 6, 1968

Mr. Julian Bond

The Georgia House of Representatives

The State Office Building

Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Mr. Bond:

I am presently compiling an anthology of verse written by relatively unknown and, for the most part, unpublished Negro poets. I wish to have selections from not more than fifteen such poets; however, I wish to have a fairly extensive representation from each poet included in the volume. I am asking that anyone interested in submitting work send me no fewer than twenty poems. Of course, if some of the poems are very long, the number submitted could be reduced. Essentially, I wish to devote about twenty pages to each poet included in the anthology. Since poetry is seldom a financially successful venture, my publisher cannot offer any royalties. However, I am sure that considerable satisfcation will be felt by those who are included in this work.

If you can think of any promising young poets who might be interested, I would be pleased to have their names. I very much hope that you will be able to submit work of your own for me to consider for inclusion in the volume.

You have been very strongly recommended to me by Mr. Sam Bradley of Saint Augustine's College in Raleigh, North Carolina. I very much respect his judgment and will be most eager to see any work which you might choose to submit.

Sincerely yours,

[signed] R. Baird Shuman

R. Baird Shuman

Professor of Education

RBS:per

[The following is the marginal content of the letterhead.]

Duke University

DURHAM NORTH CAROLINA 27708

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Dear Mr. Shuman:

I am flattered that you consider my work for publication. However, I haven't written any poetry for nearly eight years, and most of that has been b^published elsewhere already.

I might suggest, however, that you write:

Dr. Vincent Harding

Spelman College

Atlanta, Georgia

Donald Stone

SNCC

360 Nelson Street, SW

Atlanta, Georgia

Dr. Harding in^s in touch with some young poets, and Stone is a poet himself, and knows others.

You might also try:

A, B. Spelman

c/.o Harding

Spelman College

Atlanta, Ga.

Spelman is wek^ll known as a poet, and is, I believe, in contact with many more.

Sincerely,