The "Pre-req" Edition
Greetings on a day-after-Holiday Tuesday—
As promised/threatened, this is a non-Sunday LZSundayPaper email. It’s to tell you that I am delighted that TODAY my first book is hitting the bookstores, from the mighty Amazon to your local haunt.
Made public for the first time ever, this book of letters, culled from the Brown University archives spanning 1764 to just last year, reflects how the college experience reflects the social and political transformation of our country as well as bearing witness to searing stories of personal identity. Today, when freedom of expression and the value of higher ed itself is under siege, it's timely. As long time supporters, friends, colleagues, and subscribers, I’m asking you to order a copy today!
If you are saying “I really like LZ and want to support her but this book is not for me," Graydon Carter happens to disagree. In the Editor’s Pick, Airmail says "If a collection of these letters does not sound compelling, you would be wrong." And Kirkus reviews calls it “a goldmine…” and goes on to highlight the book’s most powerful attributes.
Day 1 sales are very important to the overall success of the book and directly contribute to its impact (yes, the "algorithm"). It would be incredible if you could help me -- order the book now on Amazon. If you can order two or more, it also helps dramatically with rankings – surely there is someone in your life who will appreciate this coffee-table-worthy gift.
Think about it this way— so many of you have offered to support my Substack as a paid subscriber. Thank you for that. For 10 years, it’s been free. Not to sound like NPR Pledge Week, but if you were to subscribe for just one year, the price of the book would cost you 80 cents per week!
Curating and editing Letters… has been one of the most difficult and rewarding accomplishments of my life—and I’ve had a few! I'm honored to have so many wonderful people I can call friends who might benefit in some small way. Together we can share a reminder that we cannot truly know each other’s stories until we take the time to listen.
Check out our website to learn more about the book at LaurenZalaznick.com
Oh and …just “One Last Thing Before I Go…”
If you don't believe me, here are what other folks are saying:
“It’s moving to see all these civic-minded people...joining together in common cause. What a powerful experience they all seemed to have had!”
— Ira Glass Host and Executive Producer of This American Life
"An absolute gem...so many 'firsts,': women, trustees of color, first-generation graduates... it’s a journey through time, an exploration of identity. A must read.”
— Xochitl Gonzalez New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming and Anita de Monte Laughs Last
“An essential read for anyone passionate about the future of higher education and the value of the people who influence it.”
— Darren Walker President of the Ford Foundation
“It's rare for such intimate and candid letters to be made public... which blend historical significance with heartfelt, profound narratives.”
— Liz Lange Fashion designer and entrepreneur
Apologies if you are on more than one email list and a sincere THANK YOU to all LZ
And if you’d like to subscribe to get the news of the week in review every Sunday morning, everything by, for, and about women, click here to Subscribe:
If you have a story you think I may have missed, email me at LZSundayPaper@gmail.com.
And if you’d like to tell a friend about the Paper or my book! please do:
Back to our regularly scheduled programming on Sunday, and in the meantime
The Pic(k) of The Day:
The Letters (excerpted):
To the extent I thought of this body at all, it was as an exclusive, predominantly white and male institution that would never find its way to incorporate someone like me, an African American woman, into in its ranks.
Robin A. Lenhardt
English, 1989
Trustee, 2000 – 2006//Fellow, 2008 – 2019
When I was asked to join the Board of Trustees, I wasn’t sure they really wanted me if they knew I was one of those kids outside picketing the Corporation…
Steven R. Jordan
Engineering, 1982//Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, 2021 Trustee, 1993 – 1997
Fellow, 1998 – 2009
I am privileged to have served dutifully in this role for three years, but I also recognize that Brown was equally privileged to have had me.
Mya L. Roberson
Public Health, 2016//Trustee, 2016 – 2019, 2022 – 2028
It’s about a kid from South Central Los Angeles who didn’t send an application fee with his application because he didn’t have it. It’s about a kid who sent in a money order to matriculate to the University because his parents didn’t have a checking account.
Dorsey M. James
Engineering, 1983//Trustee, 2009 – 2015
I knew no one; I was intimidated by all the NY private school kids . . . I had been on one airplane in my life and was the furthest thing from “worldly;” I was on significant financial aid, with maximum loans and work requirements . . . I could not have imagined how four years would transform me, open my mind to the world . . .
—TODD A. FISHER
Biology, 1987//Trustee, 2013 – 2019
Although it’s strange to admit now, I came to Brown without any career aspirations, figuring that I’d get an excellent education and be a housewife, just like my mom and all the other women I knew. We all have dreams as to where life will take us; I didn’t know how to dream that big. But Brown opened my eyes to opportunities I never imagined were possible and allowed me to pursue a life I could not even have contemplated.
Andrea Terzi Baum
Computer Science, 1983//Trustee, 2010 – 2016
And What’s Not To Love About…
“. . . being located in the center of New England, and with One of the most liberal Charters that has ever been granted to warrant and secure a Fair and generous equality to be extended to every Religious Sect. . .”
John Brown
Petitioner of The College//Honorary Master of Arts, 1773 Treasurer, 1775 – 1796 Trustee, 1775 – 1803
