Famous writer Joseph Epstein is often quoted for saying: “81% of Americans feel that they have a book in them — and should write it.” And true enough, as of May 2021, there are over 50,000 writers in the country (Source: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes273043.htm) . While this does not completely represent Epstein's 81%, it is a number that is increasing yearly. This demonstrates how the writing profession (Source:https://online.maryville.edu/blog/careers-in-writing/) continues to be a highly sought after career by many in the U.S., whether it is fiction, journalism, or technical writing. And one of the best ways for a writer to learn their craft is through studying other writers. For aspiring scribes in Atlantic City there have been several great writers to emulate. Here are four worth taking inspiration from.
Raymond Tyler
Aside from being a local writer (Source: https://atlanticcityartsfoundation.org/48bac2020-content-library/Atlantic%20City%20with%20Raymond%20Tyler), Raymond Tyler is also a DJ, visual artist, and producer. He was inspired by poet Paul Laurence Dunbar and writer James Weldon Johnson. His parents introduced him to these writers, igniting a spark in him. Tyler's goal was to create something that would last for generations and continue to inspire people.
Today, he does exactly that through his works that have appeared in The Philadelphia Weekly, NY Press, and The Source Magazines. He also hosts monthly networking events to help people, especially creatives, from all backgrounds achieve success by helping each other.
Martin Agronsky
Credit: Unknown author licensed under Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Martin Agronsky was a journalist and political analyst. He became an NBC correspondent during World War II and worked across three continents. Despite the dangers he faced as a journalist, he persisted to deliver information and the truth.
In 1952, he won a Peabody Award for courageously covering the controversies surrounding Senator Joseph McCarthy. He won the Alfred I. duPont Award in 1961 for his work in covering Adolf Eichmann’s trial, a major perpetrator of the Holocaust. Agronsky is also known for having worked in all three major broadcasting networks: CBS, NBC, and ABC. This further proves his adaptability as a writer and his willingness to share his skills and services for the benefit of the news industry.
Susan Subtle
Credit: Mrgarden 2342 licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
In a world where specialists are praised, Susan Subtle embraced her interdisciplinary skills. With her work ranging from topics like entertainment to recycling, Subtle is a talented columnist (Source: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Susan-Subtle-former-Chronicle-columnist-who-saw-15276660.php) that has written for different publications. These columns include The Subtle Shopper in the San Francisco Chronicle and Best Bets in New West Magazine. She also made contributions to the LA Times, Esquire, and Elle Decor.
Subtle was not afraid to explore her niche interests, such as folk art and odd objects, which led her to success as many publications were drawn to her quirky articles. She serves as an inspiration for writers who are too afraid to pursue a unique path.
Barry Beckham
Credit: Kenneth C. Zirkel licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
A novelist and playwright, Barry Beckham started writing his first novel, My Main Mother (1969) at 25 years old prior to finishing college. In fact, he was one of the three black graduates of Brown University in 1966. Despite the struggles happening at that time during the civil rights movement, Beckham persevered as a Black writer. His second novel, Runner Mack (1972), was nominated for a National Book Award in 1973.
In the 1980s, Beckham started a publishing company after his own name: Beckham House. The company is devoted to books on black subjects and they published their first book, The Black Student Guide to Colleges, in 1984. Beckham was a talented novelist who was ahead of his time and helped lift black fiction into the mainstream.
Many people want to become writers because of the creativity they can explore and the stories they can tell. Hopefully, aspiring writers can take inspiration from Atlantic City’s best writers to pursue their careers and achieve success.
Written exclusively for atlanticcityartsfoundation.org
By Monique Andrei