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We are pleased to inform the public that Marijane Meaker’s works will be taken care of by the University of Minnesota. She had received an appreciative and thoughtful letter from them during her life about where she might consider donating her work. We are confident this is the best place for her legacy.
Works of Marijane Meaker donated to University of Minnesota
Kerlan acquires new materials from the estate of award-winning author Marijane Meaker
The Kerlan Collection of Children’s Literature has recently acquired materials from the estate of award-winning author Marijane Meaker (1927-2022).
Meaker, who also wrote under the pseudonyms Vin Packer, Ann Aldrich, Laura Winston, M.E. Kerr, and Mary James, published books in genres ranging from mystery to nonfiction to young adult and children’s literature. In 1993, she was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award, administered by the American Library Association in recognition of a significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature.
Meaker is also credited with, as her New York Times obituary states, “jump-starting the lesbian pulp fiction genre” for her 1952 novel “Spring Fire.”
Book cover for “Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack” a novel by M.E. Kerr Book cover for Gentlehands by M.E. Kerr featuring a young man on the cover looking out into the distance while in the background layered over him is a man in military uniform Book cover for “Take a Lesbian to Lunch” by Ann Aldrich Book cover for “Shoebag,” a children’s lit book by Mary James, pseudonym of Marijane Meaker
Prior to this acquisition, the Kerlan Collection already held several boxes of production materials — including typescripts, proofs, and correspondence — related to over 20 of Meaker’s young adult books, written under the name M.E. Kerr. These new materials, donated by Meaker’s estate, include papers and manuscripts associated with Meaker’s other pseudonyms; photos; and years’ worth of artwork and correspondence from the author Patricia Highsmith, with whom Meaker was in a relationship in the late 1950s.
“Although there were other nationally renowned collections whose scope would have been suitable for the Meaker papers, the estate selected the Kerlan as its repository for our reputation of presenting the whole person of the writer and providing open access to anyone who is interested in the author’s works,” says Lisa Von Drasek, Miranker Family Curatorial Chair of the Kerlan Collection. “Meaker wrote for children, young adults and adults. We are honored and excited to share these manuscripts, correspondence, and rare materials with teachers, researchers, and students.”
Read full article here.
Vin Packer mention in New York Times 12/4/24
Nice mention of Vin Packer, a.k.a., Marijane Meaker and her seminal book Spring Fire in the New York Times 12/4/24. She is quoted talking about being directed to make an unhappy ending to the relationship in order to adhere to postal service regulations at the time of publication in 1952.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/04/t-magazine/lesbian-pulp-fiction.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Over the years many of M. E. Kerr’s books were banned or challenged. Here is a post in honor of free access to books, including all of Marijane Meaker’s works.
First, here is a podcast with Stacy Abrams and LeVar Burton entitled The Right to Read and Fighting Book Bans.
https://crooked.com/podcast-series/assemblyrequired/
Second, here is a link to Margaret Atwood’s Unburnable Book video. In case you missed it, she contributed to the cause with an unburnable copy of The Handmaid’s Tale. It was auctioned off at Sotheyby’s for $130k and
ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpsMsAMY4eM
Here is the more information about Margaret Atwood’s Unburnable Book.
ttps://global.penguinrandomhouse.com/announcements/margaret-atwood-prh-fight-censorship-with-an-unburnable-edition-of-the-handmaids-tale/
I got a chance to commemorate Marijane Meaker’s birthday today with friends at Oakland Cemetery. We chitchatted like we used to on Marijane’s deck. I miss her but her legacy lives on!
Sharing a reader’s comment and link below.
Just found this site, thank you. Gave Marijane a shout-out on my blog today — I review kids’ books.
https://wackymommy.org/blog/archive/2024/03/17/drawing_deena_a_bite_above_the_rest_and_my_me_kerr/
-NR
Remembering my dear friend and talented author, M. E. Kerr today. I knew her first as M. E. Kerr or Ms. Kerr, as she affectionately called her alter ego. Then I got to know her as Marijane Meaker. This picture is actually from my annual birthday celebration. It was the last one she put on for me because we had to cancel the one in 2020 due to the pandemic. We didn’t see each other in person for some time and only had video calls. Marijane enjoyed hosting small gatherings and we, as her guests, had our stories we liked to hear. I wish I did a better job of writing them down and wish I had a better memory. I will try to share here and there. She was a good cook and made a good pot roast and cabbage and corn beef, among many meals. In her later years she was fine with us cooking, ordering in or some combination. With her, it was the company and conversation that always made it fun and memorable. So cheers to Marijane!
If you would like to honor Marijane Meaker’s memory, of course we welcome your comments here always! We also wanted to let you know one option is to give in her memory to ARF, one of her favorite causes, a place where she always adopted dogs and cats from throughout her life.
https://arfhamptons.org
Added 12/17/22: Thank you NPR for your tribute where we can hear Marijane read her own words and and share part of her incredible life with listeners.
https://www.wkar.org/2022-12-14/remembering-marijane-meaker-a-pioneer-of-lesbian-pulp-fiction
Added 12/13/2022: Thank you Washington Post for capturing her vibrant personality and personas in this obituary.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2022/12/13/marijane-meaker-dead-lesbian-fiction/
Added 12/12/2022: Thank you New York Times for the well-written obituary.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/11/books/marijane-meaker-dead.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Added 12/10/2022: Thank you The Guardian for a beautiful and thoughtful obituary.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/dec/09/marijane-meaker
Announcement 11/22/2022
Our dear M. E. Kerr, born Marijane Meaker, died yesterday, November 21, 2022 peacefully at home at the age of 95. I saw her in person on her 95th birthday and it was a wonderful visit. I had plans to see her over the Thanksgiving weekend but instead, I will be at her home with friends and we will have a remembrance. She had a long, full, memorable life. I will write more later. She loved her fans and always wanted to support aspiring writers.
Edit: 11/24/22
I wanted to add that Marijane was a great raconteur able to weave facts into intrigue captivating her audience whether it be at a school, bookstore event or dinner table. One of these tales that she told and wrote about was the distinct possibility that Marijane was the inspiration to her dear friend and fellow YA author, Louise Fitzhugh as she had shared with Louise her days being Marijane the Spy when she was younger, following her mother’s lead as the one in the neighborhood who could be relied on to spill the tea to her neighbors about her neighbors. Lastly, for now, I will impart two pieces of advice she gave me and to those who asked for it, especially writers and aspiring writers: “Read!” and “You’ll never do it any younger.”
Love to you all,
Michelle
More timely this year although celebrating banned books is a yearlong endeavor!
Happy Belated Banned Books Week! M. E. Kerr has joined the ranks of authors who have works banned or challenged for various reasons. I will follow the tradition of sharing previously gathered information below:
Reprinted by permission of the American Library Association
As it is Banned Books Week, it seems like the right time to note books by M. E. Kerr that have been banned or challenged over the years. I will list what I have gathered over the years.
Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack -Banned or challenged for “references to religion, drug use and potential use of heroin.”
Gentlehands – Banned or challenged for “showing one Nazi in a positive light.”
Hello I Lied – Banned or challenged for “homosexual content.”
I’ll Love You When You’re More Like Me – Banned or challenged because “a character has a gay friend.”
Night Kites – Banned or challenged for “discussing AIDS and homosexuality.”
I believe the following titles were “challenged” which means questioned but not banned:
Deliver Us from Evie
Fell
Slap Your Sides
What Became of Her
Related links:
https://www.pps.net/cms/lib/OR01913224/Centricity/Domain/747//library/Title_List_Alpha.pdf
http://bannedbooksweek.org/
http://www.washoecounty.us/repository/files/8/bb%20list.pdf
http://wiu.libguides.com/content.php?pid=217701&sid=1816633
Common Core Standards and Banned Books Week: A Thematic Guide to Introducing Banned and Challenged Books in the Classroom
Greetings M.E. Kerr/Marijane! I’m a 25-year-old lesbian who began reading Marijane’s work in 2020 with Spring Fire. I’ve also read the non-fiction works by Ann Aldrich (We Walk Alone & Carol in a Thousand Cities) and I am now steadily making my way through all the Vin Packer books. But I was especially captivated by her memoir Highsmith. It’s a text that’s been a continuous source of fascination for me. Marijane’s work has totally enriched my life and I am so grateful for it. Also look forward to seeing Marijane in the upcoming documentary “Loving Highsmith” once it’s finally released in the states. She’s very funny in the trailer! Best Wishes.
Samantha-
Thank you for your lovely message. I will pass it along to Marijane! She has seen Loving Highsmith and enjoyed seeing the old pictures! Please let us know if you see it!
Samantha-
I was able to see Loving Highsmith and loved seeing and hearing Marijane Meaker in it. The movie is well-made and makes excuse of Marijane and her stories.
I had a delightful visit with M. E. Kerr over the weekend. She is as sociable and curious as ever. We took various pictures and this is the one she approved below.
May 27th is M. E. Kerr’s birthday!
I am visiting her this weekend and I was so excited about it, I was late in posting my usual Happy Birthday wishes. We have not seen each other in person since February 2020. Now the circumstances are right for a face to face visit.
Join me in wishing our dear Marijane Meaker, a.k.a. M.E. Kerr, a happy, happy birthday!
Here is a noir-ish picture I think she would appreciate as a mystery writer (Vin Packer) and author of the Fell series.
I had a brief chat with Marijane Meaker today. She was cheery and about to have a nice meal of mac and cheese as well as belated Valentine goodies with our friends. She and I haven’t seen each other in person in two years. February 2020 was my last visit to see her. Like many, over the past couple of years, I’ve been thinking about everything I’ve done in my life and developing a new appreciation for making time to do it all, especially taking Marijane up on all of her invites over the years!! Looking forward to a visit soon. It seems like things are settling down and it will be safe to mingle again!
I was please to find this site today as well as an NPR interview. I read all the ME Kerr books as a teenager and was surprised to learn it was a pen name. I had a pleasant time hunting around the internet and finding so much new info I didn’t know.
Thanks for writing such wonderful books that were a big part of my voracious reading habit!
Amy
Amy-
Thanks for your comment! I will be sure to pass it along to M. E. Kerr (Marijane Meaker). She loves names and pen names. I don’t know if you read about how she was her own agent at some point under various names! I know Marijane will be pleased to hear of your enjoyment of Ms. Kerr’s books!
I thought the Art Spiegelman response to having Maus censored was worth sharing here. I realized recently that I forgot to remind everyone about Banned Books Week which occurred September 26 – October 2 last year.
Let’s celebrate now. Happy Belated Banned Books Week! M. E. Kerr has joined the ranks of authors who have works banned or challenged for various reasons. I will follow the tradition of sharing previously gathered information below:
Reprinted by permission of the American Library Association
As it is Banned Books Week, it seems like the right time to note books by M. E. Kerr that have been banned or challenged over the years. I will list what I have gathered over the years.
Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack -Banned or challenged for “references to religion, drug use and potential use of heroin.”
Gentlehands – Banned or challenged for “showing one Nazi in a positive light.”
Hello I Lied – Banned or challenged for “homosexual content.”
I’ll Love You When You’re More Like Me – Banned or challenged because “a character has a gay friend.”
Night Kites – Banned or challenged for “discussing AIDS and homosexuality.”
I believe the following titles were “challenged” which means questioned but not banned:
Deliver Us from Evie
Fell
Slap Your Sides
What Became of Her
Related links:
https://www.pps.net/cms/lib/OR01913224/Centricity/Domain/747//library/Title_List_Alpha.pdf
http://bannedbooksweek.org/
http://www.washoecounty.us/repository/files/8/bb%20list.pdf
http://wiu.libguides.com/content.php?pid=217701&sid=1816633
Common Core Standards and Banned Books Week: A Thematic Guide to Introducing Banned and Challenged Books in the Classroom
I was delighted to have a brief Zoom with Marijane Meaker today. She looked and sounded great. She was getting ready to have some pie after a small Christmas gathering.
Hello! I’m once again visiting this forum to express my gratitude. I finally got my hands on a copy of Sudden Endings (a prized possession for sure) and have Spring Fire coming in the mail soon. I hope everything is well
How exciting! I recently got a copy of Hometown. Thanks for sharing your news! I know Marijane will be happy to hear it.
I’ve been curious about the TV version of Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack and earlier this year I found it on YouTube. Just search for it and it should come up. It’s a bit on the nose and distilled from the original source as After School Specials seem to be. But it was interesting and fun to see a different version of it.
I was delighted to have a video call with Marijane Meaker, a.k.a., M.E. Kerr, today. This time I remembered to take a screenshot. We enjoyed seeing each other and chatting.
It is time again to wish my favorite author and dear friend, Marijane Meaker, a very happy birthday!
I had a Zoom with her a couple of weeks ago and it was great to say hello and see her face. I did not take a picture though. So I am using this picture from 2019 because I really like it. I went through my pictures to make a different card this year but kept coming back to this one so here it is!
Thanks to everyone who continues to stop by the site and send messages to her via Comments or Contact Us. She receives them and enjoys hearing from her fans as always!
When I have Zoom calls I try to find fun pictures for my virtual background so I am often looking through old pictures. I came across this nice one of M. E. Kerr from 5/28/18 the day after her birthday. She is sitting on her deck where we have had many relaxing and lively times. I like how Amber and Buddy are posed with her.
While I wanted to be in person for Christmas Eve dinner with Marijane Meaker and friends, I am just not there yet in terms of comfort level for traveling even somewhat locally. Instead we had a video call like many others. I was so delighted to see her and just say hello. Here is a screen grab- she was worried about her hair, which looks absolutely fine, and I certainly have no vanity as I just look how I look, fly away hair and all:
I have been embracing the title of “Webmistress” because M. E. Kerr prefers it to “Webmaster.” I like both as an evolving traditionalist.
Thanks to Elaine Viets for sharing her finished article,Practitioners of the Telltale Art about accomplished mystery writers who graduated from University of Missouri School which includes a great section about Marijane Meaker.
“Thanks so much for a terrific interview. Here’s a copy of the story on the university’s main news page. It’s also the cover story in Mizzou magazine.
https://showme.missouri.edu/2020/practitioners-of-the-telltale-art/
Best,
Elaine“
Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week ALA
We are celebrating Banned Books Week September 27- October 3 this year. Happy Banned Books Week! M. E. Kerr has joined the ranks of authors who have works banned or challenged for various reasons. I will follow the tradition of sharing previously gathered information below:
Reprinted by permission of the American Library Association
As it is Banned Books Week, it seems like the right time to note books by M. E. Kerr that have been banned or challenged over the years. I will list what I have gathered over the years.
Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack -Banned or challenged for “references to religion, drug use and potential use of heroin.”
Gentlehands – Banned or challenged for “showing one Nazi in a positive light.”
Hello I Lied – Banned or challenged for “homosexual content.”
I’ll Love You When You’re More Like Me – Banned or challenged because “a character has a gay friend.”
Night Kites – Banned or challenged for “discussing AIDS and homosexuality.”
I believe the following titles were “challenged” which means questioned but not banned:
Deliver Us from Evie
Fell
Slap Your Sides
What Became of Her
Related links:
https://www.pps.net/cms/lib/OR01913224/Centricity/Domain/747//library/Title_List_Alpha.pdf
http://bannedbooksweek.org/
http://www.washoecounty.us/repository/files/8/bb%20list.pdf
http://wiu.libguides.com/content.php?pid=217701&sid=1816633
Common Core Standards and Banned Books Week: A Thematic Guide to Introducing Banned and Challenged Books in the Classroom
‘Fresh Air’ Marks Pride Month With Novelist Marijane Meaker
Marijane Meaker on NPR
If you haven’t heard NPR’s Terry Gross interviewing Marijane Meaker in 2003 or want to hear it again, here’s your chance!
Happy birthday wishes to my favorite YA author and friend, Marijane Meaker.
I saw her in February and had a lovely visit with her as always but we didn’t take many pictures so I am posting a picture from last year that I really like.
Happy New Year from Mekerr.com!
For past few years I have been spending Thanksgiving with M.E. Kerr / Marijane Meaker. We both appreciate the Portrait mode setting. Here’s one of from 11/28/19:
Banned Books Week
We are celebrating Banned Books Week September 22-28 this year. Happy Banned Books Week! M. E. Kerr has joined the ranks of authors who have works banned or challenged for various reasons. I will follow the tradition of sharing previously gathered information below:
Reprinted by permission of the American Library Association
As it is Banned Books Week, it seems like the right time to note books by M. E. Kerr that have been banned or challenged over the years. I will list what I know and I hope M. E. Kerr will chime in and make additions or correct me.
Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack -Banned or challenged for “references to religion, drug use and potential use of heroin.”
Gentlehands – Banned or challenged for “showing one Nazi in a positive light.”
Hello I Lied – Banned or challenged for “homosexual content.”
I’ll Love You When You’re More Like Me – Banned or challenged because “a character has a gay friend.”
Night Kites – Banned or challenged for “discussing AIDS and homosexuality.”
I believe the following titles were “challenged” which means questioned but not banned:
Deliver Us from Evie
Fell
Slap Your Sides
What Became of Her
Related links:
https://www.pps.net/cms/lib/OR01913224/Centricity/Domain/747//library/Title_List_Alpha.pdf
http://bannedbooksweek.org/
http://www.washoecounty.us/repository/files/8/bb%20list.pdf
http://wiu.libguides.com/content.php?pid=217701&sid=1816633
Common Core Standards and Banned Books Week: A Thematic Guide to Introducing Banned and Challenged Books in the Classroom
I had a nice visit with M.E. Kerr/Marijane Meaker last weekend and wanted to post a picture of us. From July 13, 2019 on her deck:
Today is the birthday of Marijane Meaker, a.k.a. M.E. Kerr! Happy Birthday to her!
Latest forum post here.
I am an avid patron of the New York Public Library and greatly rely on and appreciate the ease of borrowing and reading ebooks.
Currently many books by M.E. Kerr and Mary James are available as ebooks at the NYPL. They are pictured below as a reminder of this wonderful resource.
We celebrated Banned Books Week September 23-29 this year. I am a bit late wishing everyone Happy Banned Books Week! M. E. Kerr has joined the ranks of authors who have works banned for various reasons. I will follow the tradition of sharing previously gathered information below:
Reprinted by permission of the American Library Association
As it is Banned Books Week, it seems like the right time to note books by M. E. Kerr that have been banned or challenged over the years. I will list what I know and I hope M. E. Kerr will chime in and make additions or correct me.
Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack -Banned or challenged for “references to religion, drug use and potential use of heroin.”
Gentlehands – Banned or challenged for “showing one Nazi in a positive light.”
Hello I Lied – Banned or challenged for “homosexual content.”
I’ll Love You When You’re More Like Me – Banned or challenged because “a character has a gay friend.”
Night Kites – Banned or challenged for “discussing AIDS and homosexuality.”
I believe the following titles were “challenged” which means questioned but not banned:
Deliver Us from Evie
Fell
Slap Your Sides
What Became of Her
Related links:
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek
http://bannedbooksweek.org/
http://www.washoecounty.us/repository/files/8/bb%20list.pdf
http://wiu.libguides.com/content.php?pid=217701&sid=1816633
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/ideasandresources/free_downloads
Please enjoy the most recent addition to the site a page celebrating the fan art and friend given objects inspired by the works of M. E. Kerr, Mary Hames and Marijane Meaker.
M. E. Kerr Fan Art, Etc.
I was busy celebrating Marijane’s birthday with her, a.k.a. M. E. Kerr, and forgot to post well-wishes on the site! Here is Marijane Meaker on her deck with her two dogs on her birthday weekend!
Marijane. Meaker a.k.a., M. E. Kerr, is an avid animal lover and lifelong supporter of A.R.F. – Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons . In honor of Lunar New Year 2018 being the Year of the Dog here are M. E. Kerr’s dogs:
They have quite a story. I will just say that it was requested they be adopted together.
This shed is in M.E. Kerr’s backyard. She told me a story about how one of her many rescued cats over the years, Mr. something, I can’t remember, used to hide inside the shed. A young neighbor asked her what he was doing in there. She told him that he was writing a book entitled, “I hate…” and it was a book about all of the things he hated.
I would love to read that book!
Nice to see this on M. E. Kerr’s birthday! From Booklist’s 50 Best YA Books of All Time, by Daniel Kraus | Booklist Online
FEATURE. First published May 26, 2017 (Booklist Online).
Booklist Online 50 Best YA Books
Thanks to John S. for the head’s up on this!
It’s that time of year to celebrate Marijane Meaker’s birthday!
Here is M. E. Kerr holding court on her living room last month (April 2017).
M.E. Kerr has several home offices. Here is a short video tour of one of them.
I took this picture of the first sunrise of the year today at the beach. – Michelle
I found this old but nice picture of me with M.E. Kerr on her deck. Thought I’d share it.
Happy Banned Books Week! M. E. Kerr has joined the ranks of authors who have works banned for various reasons. I will re-post previously gathered information below:
Reprinted by permission of the American Library Association
As it is Banned Books Week, it seems like the right time to note books by M. E. Kerr that have been banned or challenged over the years. I will list what I know and I hope M. E. Kerr will chime in and make additions or correct me.
Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack -Banned or challenged for “references to religion, drug use and potential use of heroin.”
Gentlehands – Banned or challenged for “showing one Nazi in a positive light.”
Hello I Lied – Banned or challenged for “homosexual content.”
I’ll Love You When You’re More Like Me – Banned or challenged because “a character has a gay friend.”
Night Kites – Banned or challenged for “discussing AIDS and homosexuality.”
I believe the following titles were “challenged” which means questioned but not banned:
Deliver Us from Evie
Fell
Slap Your Sides
What Became of Her
Related links:
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek
http://bannedbooksweek.org/
http://www.washoecounty.us/repository/files/8/bb%20list.pdf
http://wiu.libguides.com/content.php?pid=217701&sid=1816633
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/ideasandresources/free_downloads
Here’s a recent picture of us from 2016 in her living room (her books are nicely displayed all throughout):
Happy Birthday M.E. Kerr!!!
Nice article in The Advocate about our Marijane Meaker.
Click here to read the full article.
“Marijane Meaker isn’t a household name, but she should be.”
Nice book cover collage in this article:
Thanks to our friend Nola Thacker for sending the link.
i just read about you in LC. mar ap 2016
and am thanking you for your years and writings
and want you to know i award a no money, no statue,
just for applause and kicks. rainbow rave reviews
usually published in LC or coe, or maize.
what would you recommend for my starter course?
as i am broke, a freeby would be nice, not necessary.
rainbow in st augustine.
Welcome to Comments, continued! Follow the link to read previous Comments.
Happy New Year! Things to do in 2016 include checking out M. E. Kerr’s recently released collection of short stories Edge, and with the spotlight on the movie Carol, attention has been put on her other work including Marijane Meaker’s memoir Highsmith.
Click here for more information about Edge.