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Elaine Koster Obituary
Koster died Tuesday at age 69 at St. Luke's Hospital in New York, according to Hosseini's publisher, Penguin Group (USA). The cause of death was not immediately available.
As publisher of the New American Library in the 1970s, Koster paid a then-enormous $400,000 for the paperback rights to King's "Carrie," which had sold poorly in hardcover, and was later credited with helping to make a blockbuster out of Erica Jong's "Fear of Flying."
In 1998, she started the Elaine Koster Literary Agency, where clients have included Monique Truong, Kimberla Lawson Roby and Julie Buxbaum. Her most notable find was Hosseini, whose manuscript for "The Kite Runner" had been turned down by numerous other agents. According to Hosseini, she was so enthusiastic she left a message on his voicemail telling him his book would be a hit. Thanks to word of mouth, millions of copies have been sold.
"I am deeply saddened by Elaine's passing. Elaine was a wonderful agent, and I owe my career to her," Hosseini said in a statement. "She opened her door to me when no one else would. She was a loyal and dear friend, and I will miss greatly her warmth, her encouragement, and her unfailing belief in me."
Born Elaine Landis in 1940, she grew up in Manhattan and graduated from Barnard College in 1962. Besides working at New American Library, she was president and publisher Dutton and worked with literary and commercial authors, including Joyce Carol Oates, Toni Morrison, Eric Jerome Dickey and Peter Straub.
"Her ability to recognize well-written commercial fiction ... as well as important literary fiction, was unparalleled," King, who had been working part-time as teacher when "Carrie" was first published, said in a statement. "She may have been the key figure in the ascendance of the paperback in the marketplace during the 1970s and 1980s."
She is survived by her husband, Bill Koster, and daughter Elizabeth.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press
16 Entries
david akbar
April 12, 2020
Now that I know who she was, I wish I had met her, somehow, somewhere....Rest in peace !
Nancy Stark
August 3, 2014
I was reading today's New York Times piece in the Styles section by Elizabeth Koster on the death of her mother and realized immediately that her mother was Elaine Landis Koster, with whom I worked back in the day at both New American Library and the Literary Guild. I've been out of publishing for decades, don't regularly read obituaries, and therefore didn't know that Elaine had died so prematurely. While I was never all that close to Elaine, I always felt our lives had many parallels: she was 2 years ahead of me at Barnard; was already at NAL when I arrived in 1964; and our paths crossed again at the Literary Guild, though I can't now remember if she was there when I arrived (1967) or I was there when she arrived. I knows that I admired her professionalism, her drive and her success, and I am shocked to learn -- 4 years after the fact -- that she died so young. I doubt anyone will read this at this late date, but I do offer my condolences to her family...and to the daughter of whom I'm sure she's be very proud.
Wanda Henry
August 14, 2010
I am so sorry to hear of Elaine Koster passing. My prayers are for her family & friends at this sad time. May you have the peace and comfort you needed from our Lord Jehovah, at this sad time. Through your prayer.
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SUE HAMNER
August 14, 2010
To Mr Bill Koster,I do not know you and did not know your wife but would like to say I'm sorry for your lost.
Would like to be in contact with you about your family...........I am a Koster and live in Alabama here is my e-mail if you would like to contact [email protected], thanks hope to hear from you soon and again I'm sorry for your lost.
Sue Koster Hamner
Victoria Christopher Murray
August 13, 2010
To the Koster Family and friends: May God bless you and keep you during this time of grief. Elaine was my agent, the only agent I've had in my twelve year career. I was blessed to have her in my life and may the blessing you had of her, hold you through these days.
Michael Mendershausen
August 13, 2010
For Elaine Koster who has been gathered to her people. Have mercy on her, pardon all hers transgressions, for there is no one so righteous on earth as to have done only good and never sinned. Remember the righteousness that she did, and let her reward be with her, her recompense before her. O shelter her soul in the shadow of Your wings. Make known to her the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand bliss for evermore. Bestow upon her the goodness that is stored up for the righteous. Amen.
Jim Landis
August 13, 2010
Elaine was one of my first editors. As publishing colleagues, we had many lunches over many years at The Italian Pavilion. She never told me that we'd both been born Landises (one more example of her vast intelligence).
SCOTT CHAMBERLAND
August 13, 2010
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
August 13, 2010
Family of Ms. Koster pleae know that
by means of the ransom sacrifice
she will live again. May this
promise bring you a measure of
comfort.
R Golay
August 13, 2010
To the the family of Elaine Koster - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that Elaine will be missed by many.
Dezerae&Bo jorgensen
August 12, 2010
my thoughts and prayers
for the Koster family..
M. Gooche
August 12, 2010
To the family and friends of Ms. Elaine Koster
I know that this is a very sad time for you but faith and memories do help. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
m. Gooche
August 12, 2010
To the family and friends of Ms. Elaine Koster
I know that this is a very sad time for you but faith and memories do help. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
M.Victoria~ VZj
August 12, 2010
sentiments to the
Koster family..
May you all find Comfort
sorry to hear of the Death of
'ELAINE'
Such a Brillant amazing person RIP~
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