New York: Doubleday, 1991. First edition. Warmly inscribed by John Grisham to Gary Sullivan, the partner of his literary agent Jay Garon: "To Gary Sullivan, With great thanks for a wonderful dinner..." With the ink stamp of the Jay Garon-Brooke Associates literary agency to title-page. A Near Fine copy in like dust jacket. Edges of boards a bit rubbed and faded, and some wear to corners of jacket.

Jay Garon (1924 - 1995) was a literary agent best known for his professional partnership with the author John Grisham, which saw the publication of Grisham's first six novels and brought massive commercial success to both men. Their partnership began when Grisham sent unsolicited chapters of his first novel, A Time to Kill, to nearly thirty agents; only Garon saw the potential in the work and called him back. Though the novel did not immediately gain traction – after fifteen publishers rejected the title, Garon finally placed it with the fairly obscure Wynwood Press – Garon continued to champion Grisham's work.

Grisham's big break came two years later, when Garon secured publication with Doubleday for Grisham's second novel, The Firm (1991), which became a massive bestseller. The Firm began a run of dozens of bestselling novels and numerous film adaptations, including The Pelican Brief (1993), The Client (1994), and A Time to Kill (1996). Garon's advocacy in the early years of Grisham's career was essential, and it was through their partnership that Grisham reached the heights of literary fame that he has seen over the past three and a half decades.

Inspired by Grisham's years of experience as an attorney, The Firm follows an up-and-coming lawyer as he reveals the murderous agenda and mafia connections within a Memphis law practice.

Provenance from the estate of Gary Sullivan, Jay Garon's longtime partner, through Sullivan's acquaintance and fellow Fire Island resident.

"Jay S. Garon; Literary Agent for John Grisham." Los Angeles Times (August 28, 1995).
"J. S. Garon, 71, Literary Agent Who Saw Talent Others Didn't." New York Times (August 25, 1995). Near Fine in Near Fine dust jacket. (Item #8193)