MLK estate reaches publishing agreement with HarperCollins
The estate of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. has reached an agreement with HarperCollins Publishers for rights to his archive
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The estate of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. has reached an international agreement with HarperCollins Publishers, which released his first book more than 60 years ago, for rights to his archive.
“The King Estate is pleased to return the publishing rights to Dr. King’s literary archive to his original publisher," the manager of King's estate, Eric Tidwell, said in a statement Tuesday. "Dr. King’s prophetic message of peace, hope, love and equality continue to impact the world today. That message is needed now more than ever. We look forward to utilizing HarperCollins’ global footprint to continue the perpetuation of Dr. King’s wonderful legacy through new creative literary projects.”
The King estate had been publishing since 2009 with Beacon Press, including the late civil rights leader's first work, “Stride Toward Freedom.” That account of the 1955-'56 Montgomery Alabama bus boycott helped bring him national prominence. “Stride Toward Freedom” was first released in 1958 by what was then Harper & Brothers. Beacon also released editions of King's speeches and sermons, among other books.
Literary agent Amy Berkower, who represented the King estate, said sales had been disappointing in recent years.
“We felt the books had to be packaged in a much more contemporary way,” she said.
Judith Curr, president and publisher of HarperCollins' HarperOne Group division, will oversee the global reissue of King's books and the release of works based on his life and writing, ranging from children's stories to graphic novels. She also plans an annual reissue of his “I Have a Dream" speech from the 1963 March on Washington with a new introduction each year from a contemporary writer, and a journal featuring the words of Dr. King that also leaves space for readers to add their thoughts.
At HarperOne, Curr has published several works by the late Zora Neale Hurston including such posthumous bestsellers as the nonfiction “Barracoon” and the story collection “Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick.”
“Our goal was to make Zora Neale Hurston a household name with younger readers,” Curr said. “And right now, nothing seems more relevant to the current moment than the words of Martin Luther King.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.