Stratemeyer Syndicate
Garis introduced Svenson to Stratemeyer Syndicate partner Harriet Adams in 1947. Svenson began at the Syndicate as a ghostwriter in 1948. By his death in 1975, he had become a full partner in the Syndicate, and had shaped the course of multiple children’s book series during three challenging decades.
Svenson began by writing Hardy Boys volumes #’s 28, 29, and 30, based on outlines by Harriet Adams. His first Hardy Boys book was “The Sign of the Crooked Arrow," published in 1949. He quickly advanced to work on other series, and on all aspects of production — providing plot outlines, writing complete manuscripts, editing, and rewriting works produced by other Syndicate authors. By 1961, Svenson had become such a key component to the ongoing success of the Syndicate, that he was made a full partner.
In addition to The Hardy Boys, Svenson also contributed to The Bobbsey Twins, Mel Martin Baseball Series, Honey Bunch, Honey Bunch and Norman, and Tom Swift Junior. He also created his own series, including The Happy Hollisters (a mystery series based on his own children), Brett King (a “modern cowboy” series), The Tollivers (created in 1967, about a middle class African American family who solve mysteries), and The Wynn and Lonny Racing Series (about adventurous brothers from North Carolina who race cars and solve mysteries.)
Read more about this topic: Andrew E. Svenson