Category Archives: Quaker History

How I Became a Successful Writer & An Independent Publisher (The short version) – Part 2 of 3

Part 2 Part 1 is here My writing niche was a doubly-disadvantaged one: first, it was religous. I was raised old-time Catholic. There are lots of Catholic readers, and a fair number of writers. But I left all that, then wound up as an enthusiastic Quaker. And ex-Catholic authors who are “fallen away” — souls … Continue reading How I Became a Successful Writer & An Independent Publisher (The short version) – Part 2 of 3 →

How I became a successful Writer & an Independent Publisher (The short version) Part 1 of 3 Parts

In mid-1974, my third trade book [“trade” means produced by a traditional publisher], Selma 1965, came out from Charles Scribner’s Sons. Scribner’s had published Hemingway, Edith Wharton, Fitzgerald, Vonnegut, Stephen King, and lots more bigtime writers – and now, me.

Exploring Why & How More Americans Are Losing Their Religion

[NOTE: The data is, I think, irrefutable: measured by the “Three Bs” of religion — Belief, Behavior & Belonging — the USA is steadily “losing” its religion(s), and becoming a more secular, nonreligious place. I’m a good example of this, yet also a bad one. Good, in that I “lost” the religion I was raised … Continue reading Exploring Why & How More Americans Are Losing Their Religion →

The Island of Two Stories: A Four-Part Mini-Saga

Part ONE Once long ago, in late 1976, I set out to write the great American Quaker novel. Or at least, a page-turning historical potboiler. It was to be be about Quakers on the island of Nantucket, during the American Revolution. Two of them in particular: the gruff but pious William Rotch, — who was … Continue reading The Island of Two Stories: A Four-Part Mini-Saga →

Gwynne Dyer: The Northern Irish “Troubles” Are Over. Will they Stay Over?

[NOTE: I once seriously considered retiring in Ireland. It was 2010 and, closing in on 70, I wondered if there were any peaceable options to the ongoing mess and mass shootings in the USA. Initially, Ireland seemed to be several positives: ancestral ties (O’Brien was my mother’s maiden name); a similar language; a reported friendliness … Continue reading Gwynne Dyer: The Northern Irish “Troubles” Are Over. Will they Stay Over? →