Consensus in Memphis: The 45th anniversary of the 3rd World Literature Conference

January 31 – February 8, 1981.  Four and a half months after the conclusion of the 2^nd World Literature Conference (WLC), addicts gathered in Memphis, TN with two explicit goals:

1. “Complete final draft of the Narcotics Anonymous Big Book.
2. Submit literature to the World Service Conference in Sun Valley, Calif. two months prior to May first.”¹

The 3^rd WLC would produce the review form for the book Narcotics Anonymous (Basic Text).  The review form was a culmination of the first two World Literature Conferences, contributions from local literature committees, and a determined work ethic by participants in Memphis.  The 3^rd WLC would more clearly signify NA’s emerging separation from AA.  It would further cement the grassroots culture of the literature movement. And it would result in a great stride forward in the effort to create a book length publication on recovery in Narcotics Anonymous.

Separating from AA

Prior to the publication of the Basic Text, NA literature was limited to:

• 1954 – 1961 – “The Little Brown Book” (also known as the “Buff Book”)
• 1961 – present – “The Little White Book”
• 1976 – Six Informational Pamphlets Who, What, How, and Why; The Group; Another Look; Recovery and Relapse; We Made A Decision; and So You Love an Addict (was also published under the title For Those We Love and Others).^{2 3}

In the absence of book-length material about recovery in Narcotics Anonymous, members often relied on Alcoholics Anonymous literature.⁴  The hope was that this new literature would help addicts who are unable to identify with alcoholics or the A.A. program..

This separation was also expressed through evolving language. On day two of the 3^rd WLC, Jim M. articulated the issue:

 “If we are clean, we are sober. If we are addicts, we are alcoholics. Therefore, let us keep our identities and our book simple and understandable. To say we are addicts, and are clean is all we need to say. It is redundant and confusing to say we are clean and sober, addicts, and alcoholics.”⁵ This input and discussion during the conference resulted in a “Style Sheet,” which began to unify the unique language of Narcotics Anonymous.  

A Grassroots Driven Book

The creation of a book was a massive grassroots effort.  Every effort was made to include NA members everywhere.  Input was actively solicited and highly valued from all members.  Local literature committees were organized, supported by members of the World Service Conference Literature Committee and The Handbook for NA Literature.

But perhaps the greatest example of the grassroots organizing was around the funds that were raised by the WSC Literature Committee, members attending the World Literature Conference (WLC), and members of local fellowships.

The minutes to the 3^rd WLC reflect these efforts:

In the final analysis, $9,808.23 was raised to pay for the conference, printing, binding, and shipping of the review form. ⁶

‘WE ARE WATCHING A MIRACLE IN PROGRESS’

In the March 1981 issue of the Mid‐America Newsletter, “A Grateful Member” wrote “Slowly, surely and steadily the chapters were typed, revised and retyped until they were finally approved during the last hours of the Conference. One of our sayings, ‘WE ARE WATCHING A MIRACLE IN PROGRESS.’”⁷

After the conclusion of the 3^rd WLC, members turned their attention to the final steps: printing, reviewing, correcting/pasting up, packaging, and shipping the Review Form.  At the conclusion of this, Jim’s reflections on what this represented were recorded in the April 1981 issue of the Rainbow Connection:

“…That once hopeless dope fiends have gotten together and written a book is an impossibility. That the review copy is out in time for fellowshipwide (sic) review is more impossible. That our manuscript, with some editing is a publishable whole is highly impossible if not inconceivable‐‐at least to many‐‐BUT IT IS TRUE, REAL AND ALIVE! Thank you, God.” ⁸

High Hopes

The first page of the Review Form included a letter signed “World Literature Conference III, World Service Conference Literature Committee.”  Included in the letter were instructions to those who received a copy of the Review Form and hope for what the outcome would be.

The letter concludes “Hardback in June!”⁹

The hope, and urgency, for publication of the book is best reflected in a letter from Bo S. to the fellowship. 

“If it seems like we are in a hurry, we are. Far too many addicts have died never knowing recovery was possible. In words telegraphed to Memphis, ‘The full fruit of a labor of love lies in the harvest, and that always comes in its right season.’· We are praying for a season of growth and new life for addicts seeking recovery, not another season· of death by ignorance.”¹⁰

Despite the Herculean efforts of the Literature Committee, the book would not come to fruition in June 1981.  It would require further review, input, and revisions over three more World Literature Conferences (a 4^th would be required for personal stories).  But the service that produced the Memphis Review Form was significant for this giant leap forward towards NA having its first book length publication.

For More Information

To commemorate the 45^th anniversary of this pivotal WLC, Boyd, Francis, Lucy, and I have recorded a more in-depth presentation examining the Consensus in Memphis.  The presentation can be viewed here, on the Preserving The Message YouTube channel.  

As with previous topics, The Living Clean Podcast has recorded a very special episode to complement this presentation.  We hope that you will check them both out.

1. World Service Conference Literature Conference (1981). Minutes from Day 1 of the 3^rd World Literature Conference, January 31, 1981. ↩︎
2. The last two pamphlets were later withdrawn by the World Service Conference. ↩︎
3. NAWS (2003). Commemorative Literature Timeline from WCNA‐30. ↩︎
4. There are many sources of information for this, including: Stone, B. (1997). My years with Narcotics Anonymous. Joplin, Missouri: Hulon Pendleton Publishing; Narcotics Anonymous Audio Archive Sampler; Jimmy K. sharing in an NA meeting in 1962; Budnick, C. & Francis C. (2021). Interview with Pete B., January 19, 2021; Budnick, C. & Francis C. (2021). Interview with Charles K., February 11, 2021; Budnick, C. & Francis C. (2021). Interview with Donnie R., March 6, 2021. ↩︎
5. World Service Conference Literature Conference (1981). Minutes from Day 2 of the 3^rd World Literature Conference, February 1, 1981. ↩︎
6.  World Service Conference Sub-Committee for Literature (1981). Report to the Memphis Literature Conference. August 1981. ↩︎
7. Mid‐America Regional Service Committee (1981). What’s Happening and A Letter Submitted for Printing. Mid‐America Newsletter. ↩︎
8. The Atlanta Area Service Committees (1981). The Rainbow Connection, April, Volume 3, Number 4. ↩︎
9. World Service Conference Literature Committee (1981). Narcotics Anonymous Unpublished Literary Work For Review Only. ↩︎
10. Bo S. (1981). Letter to fellow members regarding Memphis Literature Conference, April 1981. ↩︎