Summary

NOTE: For the purposes of clarity in this study guide, each letter in Dear Committee Members has been assigned a number. The letters are not numbered in the text of the book.

Letter 1 is addressed to the committee members of the Bentham Literary Residency Program. In it, Jason Fitger, a creative writing professor, recommends Darren Browles, whom he believes to have a great deal of literary talent. In the letter, Jason also offers his condolences on Mike’s death. Mike was the director of the program. Jason has submitted a selection of Darren’s novel to his own literary agent, Ken Doyle.

Letter 2 is addressed to Ted Boti, the chair of the English Department. The letter is in regards to recommendations for director of graduate studies. Jason discusses the state of the department. While the department is sizeable, the pool of eligible people...