richard pike bissell (june 27, 1913 in dubuque, iowa – may 4, 1977) was an american author of short stories and novels. his third book, and second novel, "7½ cents", was adapted into the broadway musical "the pajama game". this won him (along with co-author george abbott) the 1955 tony award for best musical. he wrote a book about the experience called "say, darling", which chronicled the ins and outs of a broadway musical production and featured characters based on those (such as harold prince) he worked with; this book was "also" turned into a musical, also called "say, darling", in 1958.