“When I started graduate school we did this publishing class where we learned about submitting and read interviews with editors from different magazines. A lot of them said they got so many submissions that unless the first page stuck out or the first paragraph or even the first sentence they'll probably send it back. So part of my idea was that if I have a really good first sentence maybe they'll read on a bit further. At least half, maybe more of the stories in Knockemstiff started with the first sentence; I got it down then went from there.” IfsFirstsSaidIdeasDifferentStoriesSchoolBitsHalfClassPagesSentencesStuckMagazinesInterviewsEditorsGraduatesPublishingSubmissionParagraphGraduate School Author:Donald Ray Pollock
“The humor I came up with is, for the most part, a bit crude or guttural, and many people aren't going to get it or enjoy it, but some do, and that means a lot to me - to know that I made someone laugh.” PeopleKnowsMeanMadeBitsEnjoyLaughingCrude Author:Donald Ray Pollock
“I think some people at Doubleday worried about that a bit when Knockemstiff came out, but, with the exception of one or two people who complained that I didn't do justice to the many good people who lived in the holler, most of the local objections have been aimed at the violence and foul language.” PeopleThinkingHas BeensTwoLanguageBitsJusticeViolenceLocalsWorriedExceptionGood PeopleFoulObjectionsFoul Language Author:Donald Ray Pollock
“I've always been a bit of a pessimist in regard to mankind.” BitsMankindRegardPessimist Author:Donald Ray Pollock
