Don't Quit Your Day Job: Acclaimed Authors and the Day Jobs They Quit

by Sonny Brewer (Editor), Howard Bahr, Winston Groom

The authors in Don't Quit Your Day Job have tried their hands at some of the same jobs as their readers. They’ve worked on the railroad, busted rocks with a sledgehammer, fought fires, wiped tables, soldiered and carpentered and spied, delivered pizzas, lacquered boat paddles, counted heads for the church, sold underwear, delivered mail, and driven garbage trucks. And like William Faulkner before them, they have quit those day jobs. These authors tell good tales — this is the book for those who wonder what work preceded the literary efforts of their favorite authors. This collection allows writers to build a bridge between themselves and their readers, connecting with those who love to read and those who dream about writing while on the job during the day.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Essays, Southern, American, Anthologies

272 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2010

About the author

Sonny Brewer is the author of four novels, including The Poet of Tolstory Park and The Widow and the Tree. He edited the anthology series Stories from the Blue Moon Café and most recently, Don't Quit Your Day Job - Acclaimed Authors and the Day Jobs they Quit published by MP Publishing in 2010.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not love this book more. With essays by some of my favorite writers, as well as work by many other authors I now want to read, every single one was a treasure. The essays were funny, touching, sweet, poignant, and beautiful, and each one was filled with such wonderful voice and lyrical language. I'm reading it aloud to my husband, and I see myself reading the individual essays again and again. If you love any of these writers, or you just love well-told stories, get this collection as quickly as you can.

[Scotchneat · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of stories/confessions from "Southern" writers about the moment they "quit their day job", though some haven't quite yet.

The different ways they tackled the challenge are probably a good reflection of writing style. Some gave humorous accounts, some purple prose, and some more or less engaging.

I haven't read many of these authors. Most famous contributor is probably John Grisham. But I got a sense of how or why they feel compelled to write.

[Denny · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring and enlightening collection of stories about the jobs that established modern Southern authors endured before they broke through. I liked it enough to purchase a copy for my bookshelf. If, like me, you hope someday to be a published, moderately successful author but are still mired in the workaday world, you'll treasure Don't Quit Your Day Job.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an unexpectedly delightful read. I received this book a few years ago as a Christmas gift and while I was interested in the topic, just never picked up the book until now. So very sorry that I didn't read this sooner. Great stories from a variety of Southern authors regarding some of their non-writing jobs. I had only heard of a couple of these authors before (John Grisham, Pat Conroy, Winston Groom), but now I intend to read something by all the other authors.

[Ian Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great collection of stories by writers at the peak of their powers. The fact that Grisham holds a record for the number of rejections for a novel, tells you a lot about the perspiration and commitment needed for success. It certainly inspired me to finish my book 'Burger Bar Dad' which is coming out as an ebook at the end of May.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A diverse collection of short stories from acclaimed Southern authors exploring the themes of first jobs, crappy jobs, and how these jobs have enhanced their work as writers.

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't believe I've read a book as enjoyable in a long time. Each of the contributors has told the story of their route to publication well and some, like Winston Groom, made me laugh out loud, such is their skill as writers.

Brewer's book is a wonderful way to spend time with some admirable people. Their short pen portraits give readers a great appreciation of the sacrifices necessary to make it big.

[Jim Krotzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't Quit Your Day Job, edited by Sonny Brewer, narrated by selected authors, explains the first jobs they had and the effects those jobs had on their writing careers. It is an entertaining book that gives hope to the would-be-writer.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing in this book is outstanding. So many good authors with interesting stories of their beginnings. The stories are good but the writing is excellent.

[Andy Plonka · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is interesting to see what "day jobs " motivated writers to become writers.The reasons varied widely.

[Kim Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories, some very funny. What a great read!

[Rafael · Rating 1 out of 5]

decepción es solo sureño todos dicen lo de escribe sobre lo que conoces todos eran leñadores o mierdas así

[Irma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not every story was a 5 star. But so many were that I gave it 5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the introduction.

[Lisa Roney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book--a compendium of memoirs by southern writers about various ways in which they've made a living (or worked for free). I especially loved the pieces by Connie May Fowler ("Connie May Is Going to Win the Lottery This Week"), Tom Franklin ("Delivering"), and Silas House ("Why I Worked at the P.O"). There is some unevenness in the collection, but overall I found it hilarious and insightful into what it takes to be a writer. Leave it to southerners to be unashamed about their shit jobs. We all should be, and, as Silas House notes, "It was pure hell, but it was also the best thing I ever did for my writing."

[Tom Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I taught at Behrend College, the faculty had a book club where we shared the children's books that had most influenced who we were becoming. It was fascinating. In this book, several authors share what they did before they "quit their day job" and how that has impacted their lives as writers. Grisham's entry seemed to be a bit of a throw away but most of the stories were compelling and provided a unique insight into each author's psyche.

[Mark Hainds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read this book at a critical juncture in my life, it may be argued that that this book exercised an undue influence upon my judgment and life’s direction. Was it causative? Or simply correlative? Either way, Don’t Quit Your Day Job deploys some fantastic stories, especially with the opening narratives. I believe my next book will utilize content from this book for more than one epigraph.

[Virginia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the chapters are better than others. It seems too long to me: too much repetition, really. I guess this is a story that just is what it is: writers write, and they work at other jobs until their writing supports them. The details . . . eh. Mostly not that fascinating to me. I am also a writer, so perhaps this is why it seems ordinary to me?

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent book about authors lives before they became full time (paid) writers. It was funny, sad, poingent and stupid, but overall writers are like everyone else. There are good days and bad days and then you have to do something to make money.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is perfect if you need a fix of Southern writing, especially since there doesn't seem to be an edition of New Stories From the South coming out this year. My favorites were the essays by Pat Conroy and Joshilyn Jackson.

[Joanne Hofmeister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed almost all of these stories, written by writers...many of them fiction writers. I loved seeing what came of each one: Give a writer an assignment (write about your day jobs) and see what they do with it.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyed this so much. have only read a handful of the authors, but found some i want to read. so interesting to hear they are regular people. some so funny, some melancholy, 1 incomprehensible.

[Debbie Riddel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It opened me up to a whole new group of writers.

[Lynn Shurden · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read about jobs of writers! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and now I have some new authors to consider reading.

[Mimi Stamper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Easy to see why these guys were able to quit their day jobs and be paid for writing.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best anthology I've ever read, at least that I can think of off-hand. Full review to come.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first one was the hardest to get through, so I'm not sure putting it first was a good idea. Got some interesting nuggets from most of them. Book Club book.