Archer's Goon

JONES, Diana Wynne. Archer’s Goon. NY: Greenwillow [1984]. 12mo, [x] 269pp. Gray paper wrappers printed in black. Bottom edge of sheets minutely soiled, else a fine copy. Inscribed by the author, Diana Wynne Jones, to Books of Wonder Founder Peter Glassman.

Uncorrected advance proofs with hand-numbered pages with hand-written note to “Peter [Glassman]” from the publisher’s sales manager saying this was the only copy of the proofs he could find. The trouble started when Howard Sykes came home from school and found the "goon" sitting in the kitchen. He said he'd been sent by Archer. But who was Archer? It had to do with the 2,000 words that Howard's author father had failed to deliver. It soon became clear not only that Archer wanted those words, but that his wizard siblings, Hathaway, Dillian, Shine, Torquil, Erskine, and Venturus, would also go to any lengths to get them. Seven megalomaniac wizards is lot to deal with – but it looks like Howard has no other options!