The Executive Board of The Norman Mailer Society (‘NMS”) met in Provincetown, Massachusetts, on October 4, 2015, with President J. Michael Lennon presiding. Also in attendance were Board members David Light, Treasurer, Marc Triplett, Secretary, Barbara Wasserman, Bonnie Culver, John Buffalo Mailer, Ezra Cappell, Justin Bozung, Robert Begiebing, Larry Schiller, Nicole DePolo, Carol Holmes, Christopher Busa, and Susan Mailer. NMS member Victor Peppard was present. Agenda items were The Mailer Review, implementation of the Barry Leeds travel grants, the NMS logo, the 2016 conference panels, membership and The Mailer Center.
President Mike Lennon reported that finances of The Mailer Review have turned around as the result of donations received since last year’s NMS conference. Nearly all members of the Board have made contributions. In recent past years, the Review has had expenses outstripping current income by approximately $6,000. Now it is in good shape with the donations received for the current year. The Mailer Review is assured of being in print form for the 2016 edition. The Society will continue to look at ways to digitize the Review while maintaining a printed version produced in sufficient quantity and cost that assure its continued viability. Larry Schiller volunteered to take the editions of the preceding nine years and investigate digitization in a way that produces income for the Society, working with someone like Alexander Street Press, and perhaps student volunteers. This project could get The Mailer Review into schools and libraries. As to establishment of a digital version of the Review that makes money for the NMS in the future, Larry Schiller will present a proposal to the Board. Print-on-demand and other print options were discussed, and Bob Begiebing discussed his familiarity with entities providing both options. His sense now is that using a traditional yet cost-effective printer/publisher with a limited press run might be the best option for the printed edition. President Mike Lennon appointed a committee to report on the issues of printing and digitization of the Review. The committee members will be Phil Sipiora, Bob Begiebing, Carol Holmes, Jerry Lucas, and Larry Schiller.
The Barry Leeds travel grant fund is being established with a $5,000 initial donation from Barry’s daughter Ashley Leeds. Additional donations of $1,200 have also been made for this purpose. An application process will be created for grants to the NMS annual conferences and it is anticipated that there will we one grant per year for research at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas, home to the Mailer papers. Bonnie Culver and Bob Begiebing have volunteered to set up a process for selection of recipients for these grants.
A new logo for the NMS has been created but was not available for review by the Board at the time of this meeting. Mike Lennon will send the logo to Board members for their review, comments and approval. The NMS also is in need of new stationery. David Light and Marc Triplett will work on this.
The 2016 conference will be held at Monmouth University in Long Branch, New Jersey. Barbara Wasserman will be the keynote speaker. Monmouth will have food service available as well as shuttle service to the hotel. Potential panels were discussed. Larry Schiller indicated that he may be able to run one on photographing Mailer. Susan Mailer suggested a “Mailer and Music” panel. Bonnie Culver is at work on a one-woman play based on Norris Church Mailer’s memoir, and this may be presented at the 2016 conference. Larry Schiller suggested that presentations at forums such as “Ted Talks” might help in getting Mailer media a wider audience and a profitable outlet. Each Board member is asked to consider running a panel for the 2016 conference and to set up a panel as early as possible.
David Light reported that the NMS how has 65 life members and 85 other memberships. He emphasized the importance of the Review to members and potential new members. As further incentives to membership, Larry Schiller volunteered to look into providing copies of the Moonfire to new members and copies of Superman Comes to the Supermarket for new life members. Also discussed was the possibility of giving copies of Superman for existing life members who donate an additional $100.
Larry Schiller updated the Board on the status of The Norman Mailer Center. The Center is now on a hiatus while it reorganizes and establishes a location. There are plans to establish The Mailer Center in a building of The Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. Pratt will likely host the next major Center event. In addition to the exciting news of the permanent location of The Norman Mailer Center, there are plans to have the next summer program for the writer’s retreat at the Carey Institute in upstate New York.
The most recent writing award was made by The Norman Mailer Center after receipt of submission of over 6,000 entries from high school students. Mike Lennon served as a judge of the five finalists and commented on the high quality of the submissions.
The Mailer Center’s Board is being reorganized as part of the activity during the hiatus, and Larry Schiller described how the Board will be organized for the financial strength of the Center. Tina Brown remains a member of the Board.
The location of future conferences was discussed. Pratt becomes a possibility after its establishment as the headquarters for The Mailer Center. Marc Triplett reported on the interest of Jerry Lucas and Jason Mosser in organizing a conference in the Atlanta area. Mike Lennon will be in contact with them regarding that potential location.
There being no other business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Marc S. Triplett
Marc S. Triplett, Secretary