100 Years of Reading & Writing
A very special issue, plus TONS of writing resources!
*For writing news and links, scroll down*
Note: This is a unique issue of my newsletter. I don’t usually write about family members, but this issue is an early birthday present to a very special subscriber: my grandpa.
Let me introduce you to my grandpa:
Peter Joseph Reynolds was born on July 11, 1924. This summer he will turn 100. He’s slowed down a bit as he reaches the century mark (as one does), but he still loves to read and have intellectual conversations.
Ten years ago, Peter wrote a memoir* and distributed it to friends and family. For the first time, he wrote extensively about his time in World War II. This was something he had rarely talked about (too emotionally painful), though people always asked him about it.
What fascinates me, however, much more than his WWII stories, are two things: one, how he met my grandma and married her less than a year later, and, two, his childhood interest in reading, which transitioned into a career in journalism.
*Many of the quotes below are taken from Peter’s memoir, though a few are taken from a recent phone conversation I had with him.
What my grandpa read as a child:
My grandpa was an asthmatic child in New Jersey and had to stay home from school a lot. Exertion would bring on an asthma attack, so:
“I spent a lot of time sitting quietly, usually reading books. The first were called “Little Big Books,” and were picture books sometimes based on the comics, such as Dick Tracey, Buck Rogers, and Smilin’ Jack (a hot-dog aviator). Then I moved to pulp magazines of western stories, science fiction, and horror.”
During a hospital visit, his Uncle Henry Densel gave him a copy of Luck and Pluck by Horatio Alger, which he found to be a thrilling “rags to riches” story.
“After that, it was my Unlce Vince who brought me to the Sewaren Free Public library (at the time there were also commercial rental libraries), and introudeced me to Edgar Rice Burroughs and his Tarzan books, and Zane Gray and Max Brand, and I was off.”
My grandpa’s career as a journalist:
At eighteen Peter entered the U.S. Army to fight in World War II. Though only a high school graduate, he was given the nickname “the college boy” because he was so well-read.
In February 1945, while seeing battle in Germany, he was hit in the chest by flying shrapnel and ended up at a hospital in Luxembourg City. That’s where another soldier gave him the idea of becoming a journalist because, he said, a reporter would never have trouble finding a job.
“As a child of the depression I early learned to fear unempoloyment. Now, at age 20, with a bad arm that would prevent me from going into the trades, ‘always being able to get a job’ had great appeal.”
“When I talked it over with my father, telling him the Government would send me to college if I wanted, he said something to the effect of: “You have gone much farther in school than I did.” (Fourth grade.) “Do whatever you think best. I’ll back you.”
So Peter did two years at Union Junior College then entered Rutgers as a Junior and graduated in 1949.
He became a “stringer” for the Plainfield Courier-News. The pay was 15 cents a column inch. He also took assignments from four other papers. After a year he became the sports writer for the Courier, but:
“I didn’t like writing sports. It spoils the games, having to track them so closely so as to write about them.”
My grandpa tried writing a novel once:
One summer, while working at the newspaper, Peter started writing a novel set at the Jersey shore: “a milieu I knew well, and had plenty of excitement in it.”
At a friend’s encouragement, he sent the first few chapters to Gold Medal Press:
“They accepted it, with the admonition that I must keep it exciting. However, by that time, summer was ending, and, also, I was having trouble keeping track of my characters. I put the work aside and never returned to it.”
So, yes, my grandpa’s unfinished novel was ACCEPTED FOR PUBLICATION on the basis of a few chapters. And he never finished it! Oh, Gramps.
Yet he says he doesn’t care for fiction…
As an adult, my grandpa always says he’s not a fan of fiction. He always wants to know why I write novels. “What’s the point in it?” he asks. We’ve had some rousing discussions as I try to convince him of the merits of reading and writing fiction. He says:
“Writing pure fiction is dull work for me. It’s not like reporting. That can be stimulating. In it, I am aided by some other traits. Curiosity for one. I want to know how things work, where they come from, what is their purpose, on and on. That helped me become a good interviewer.”
I would argue, Grandpa, that curiosity about the world and human nature is a trait of fiction writers, too, but we shall agree to disagree.
My grandparents met while working at a famous magazine:
In 1954 my grandpa got a job offer from the editor of Better Homes & Gardens who was looking for a writer/editor on garden subjects. (“I had noted in a resume being circulated that my hobby was my ‘wildflower garden,’” my grandpa says.)
So Peter moved from New Jersey to Des Moines, Iowa, where he met a “really pretty girl in the Book Promotion Department, Phyllis Johnson.” Their first date was to a production of MacBeth. Four months later they were engaged, and ten months after that, they were married.
They moved back to New Jersey where Peter had a series of jobs in NYC, had four children (my mom was the oldest), and, as my grandpa says, “it worked beautifully for me.” Peter and Phyllis were married for over fifty years, until my grandma passed away in 2008.
My grandpa’s favorite recent book:
One that I gave him, obviously.
But seriously, about ten years ago I gave him the (nonfiction, of course) book Triumphs of Experience: The Men of the Harvard Grant Study by George E. Vaillant, which draws upon a longitudinal study of human development that began in 1938 and charted the lives of 200+ college men as they grew older.
The book has all kinds of interesting things to say about (male) life and aging, including findings about relationships, religion, health, emotional well-being, and what makes for a successful life.
I only skimmed the book, but my grandpa read it cover to cover, and he says it provided him dinner party conversation fodder for years. He still mentions it to me sometimes: “Remember that book you got me, Eva? About the Harvard study?”
It sure feels good when you give someone a book you think they might like, and they end up talking about it with everyone they know for the next decade.
My grandpa’s love of poetry:
When my grandmother found out she had cancer, my grandparents moved into a senior living complex in Virginia, where my grandpa stayed for many years after her death. It was here that he started a poetry club. Not to write poetry, but to read and enjoy poetry with other residents.
The group met regularly and brought their favorite poems to share, or, sometimes, recited them from memory. My grandpa can recite many poems from memory and has been known to so at family gatherings, especially after a gin and tonic.
I asked my grandpa what it is that he likes about poetry. He said:
“It can’t be explained. I think sometimes you see beyond or inside a poem to something really beautiful, and it’s just a joy to know that other people – like the poet – see that, too.”
The most important thing in life, according to Peter J. Reynolds:
Resilience.
He says that in writing his memoir and looking back over his life, certain themes emerged, and for him one of those was resilience. All the jobs he had, all the hardships he overcame. He thinks everyone should take the time to organize and write down the stories of their life.
Writing News & Resources:
For All Writers:
Free online Writing Irresistible First Pages workshop from
happening June 20.The Writers Center website is a GREAT resource for finding grants, fellowships, residencies & retreats, publishers (who publish non-agented authors), and literary journal opportunities.
Your self-published or hybrid-published book can win up to $10,000 plus expert marketing services with the North Street Book Prize. Deadline July 1.
Ready Chapter 1 is a community-powered platform connecting book publishers with undiscovered writers. Find peer critiques and more.
Check out all the many upcoming online craft workshops from Savvy Authors!
Writing Workshops also offers lots of online classes in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, picture books, and the business of writing.
Check out the meet-up group called Shut Up & Write. There are in-person chapters all over the country, as well online events.
Cheshire Novel Prize hosts a FREE group on their private app called Writers Space where you can talk about writing, ask for BETA readers, and connect with other writers.
Ready to submit a story? Check out this list of 40 Free Writing Contests! And of course, check out NewPages for submission calls from literary magazines and journals.
Check out my list of writing and publishing resources — my very favorite books, websites, and podcasts on writing, publishing, and the creative life.
For KidLit Writers:
Have a great idea for a kid’s book (PB through YA)? Introducing WriteMentor’s brand new competition for ideas right from the early concept stage. Enter by July 14.
A list of places that publish stories for children from The Write Life.
Erin Entrada Kelly is teaching a Middle Grade Writers Workshop this summer. Applications close June 7.
Literary Rambles has information on kidlit agents and agent interviews.
Submit your children’s book to these publishers: no agent required!
Here’s an incredible list of upcoming events for KidLit writers!
Check out SCBWI (The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) fir events, conferences, critique partners and more. (Picture book through YA.)
For Querying Writers:
Live in the DC area? I will be teaching a 3-day workshop class at The Writer’s Center: Find the Right Agent for You, A Submission Package Workshop. Learn how to research agents, write a stand-out query, and polish your first pages. We will workshop the queries and first pages of all participants. Begins July 13.
A list of small publishers, most of which do not require agents.
A query letter template from agent Samantha Wekstein and lots of querying advice from agent Eric Smith.
Andrea Bartz has a list of successful query letters.
Pitch contests on Twitter(“X”) seem to be coming back (for now). These events can feel like a bunch of authors screaming into the void, but it doesn’t hurt to try. After all, I found my agent through a Twitter pitch party. So read my article:13 Things to Know About Twitter Pitch Events then mark your calendar for these upcoming pitch parties:
#JoyPit on June 7 for lighthearted, feel-good books
#PBPit on June 20 for picture books
#QueerPit on July 1 for authors who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+
I occasionally choose a subscriber for a FREE submission package critique. Send me your query and first two pages, and, if I chose your submission, I will send you in-depth feedback on both. Fill out the form here.
Writing Conferences & Events:
The OG (and free) WriteHive Online Writing Conference will be held June 7 - 9.
If you live in the DC area, check out the Local Author Bazaar at People's Book in Takoma Park on June 8!
Live in the mid-Atlantic region and looking for a writing retreat get-away?
2024 Writing Retreats at ZigBone Farm (Just one hour from DC/Baltimore area in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains). MD residents can apply for a grant to help cover costs!
July 28 - Aug 2: Summer Novel Writing with award-winning author Tammy Greenwood. For writers at all stages of the journey.
September 22-27: Fall-on-the-Farm Women's Poetry Writing Retreat with Award-Winning Poet and Writing Instructor Ann Quinn
The Writer’s Retreat at Good Contrivance Farm. Open year-round, the only requirement for this peaceful retreat north of Baltimore is that you use the time to work on your writing. Spaces normally book about two months in advance.
Thinking about going to a conference or applying for a residency? Check out the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
The Writing Day Workshop “How to Get Published” Conferences are affordable and helpful. Plus, sign up for pitch sessions with agents for $29 a piece. Check out the upcoming conferences:
Milwaukee Writing Workshop: June 21, 2024 (in-person)
Writing Workshop of Chicago: June 22, 2024 (in-person)
Writers Digest offers loads of virtual conferences on a variety of publishing and writing craft topics.
For more writing conferences, check out this list or the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
I have a more general comment: a big thank you for introducing me to Matt Bell’s “Refuse To Be Done”. It’s given me a lot of inspiration to play with my first draft. I plan to take his advice on the second draft too. Quite the marathon!
I love stories like this! Thank you for sharing.