- William Makepeace Thackeray was born on 7/18/1811. “A good laugh is sunshine in the house.”
- Jane Austen died on 7/18/1817. “A person who can write a long letter with ease, cannot write ill.”
- Clifford Odets was born on 7/18/1906. “Life shouldn’t be printed on dollar bills.”
- Hunter S. Thompson was born on 7/18/1937. “Buy the ticket, take the ride.”
- Hart Crane was born on 7/21/1899. “Love: a burnt match skating in the urinal.”
- Ernest Hemingway was born on 7/21/1899. “As you get older it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary.”
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A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea. 
Love me some Hart Crane.
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Me, too. Austen, also, of course. Plus, Clifford Odets is one of my fave 20th century playwrights!
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The two H’s appeal. Gutter boy that I be.
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There’s nothing wrong with that.
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I don’t mind having one foot in the gutter. It’s easier to say what’s on your mind. And I’ve just had an extract of my novel accepted for publication by a cool magazine, so I’m pretty happy where I am.
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Congrats! That is wonderful, and well-deserved. I believe that every success, no matter how large or small, is only enhanced when it is a direct result of being true to yourself.
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Thanks. It’s satisfying in one way, in the quick fix way, expect I did write it ten years ago. That it’s taken me so long just to get an extract published is a bit worrying…I wonder how many writers who’ve been true to themselves have gone to the grave unknown. I don’t mean to be a naysayer or ungracious, I told you because you’re in the game, have the turn of phrase and I’m happy for myself.
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I think that the compulsion to write-the fear of not getting all of the words, thoughts and ideas we are capable of onto paper-beats the fear of not being published. For me, anyway. I also think that, collectively speaking, each time a nontraditional/non-mainstream voice is published anywhere that it is a victory for us all. So, again, congrats!
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Fears I have, but I’m not driven by them, not obviously. I’m driven by the desire to create something of value, in my own terms of value, which are in flux to a degree, but where the shores were once of the sea, they are now the nearer shores of the lake.
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Beautifully and articulately stated.
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