That's a terrific compliment, thank you. In Substack publications like this one, I imagine lots of longform pieces start out voicier and more info-packed than they finally appear. The credit goes to the editors here, for allowing it to breathe.
Such a thrilling piece, very long but so engaging that I couldn’t stop reading even though I’ve never read anything by Vollman and think I would find him indigestible.
When people ask me about the world of “Publishing” I feel like such a dilettante giving any answer— writers like Vollman are so prolific. He’s so wildly skilled at his craft, and yet the publisher/writer relationship is such a consequential piece of the puzzle. So many things have to go right at the same time for things to work.
This is a beautiful presentation of Vollmann, his work, and that of those with whom he has worked. Thank you.
I'm slowly reading the full Rising Up and Rising Down now, and reviewing each volume for an upcoming literary journal, and am consistently mesmerized by someone who takes the task of the writer—and the seeker; the person willing to think and feel—so seriously.
This profile makes me sad that William has experienced the losses he has, but thrilled by the fact that there are still patient readers and fans willing to attend to his books.
I had never heard of Vollman before reading this piece, but now I am infinitely curious about this man and his (too many?) words. Thank you, Alexander, for the introduction.
Impressive piece on so many levels. Long, but doesn't read that way. A detail that left me gobsmacked: how modern publishing took the liberty of "editing Roald Dahl’s books for children so that they’re better-aligned with modern progressive attitudes (the young protagonist of Matilda, as Dahl created her, was an avid reader of Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling; editors at Penguin Random House changed that to Jane Austen and John Steinbeck)." The word "toxic" is thrown around too much, but such decisions are toxic to creativity and free expression.
I don’t know Vollman’s work (should I be embarrassed?) but now I know yours. Magnificent! I’ve had my own “adventures” in publishing, some wonderful and some winding and torturous and some infuriating and some very sad (involving dearest editor-firing and later suicide) and I’ve never read anything that captured just how complicated and full of strangeness publishing books, especially during the past ten years, can be. Not that my adventures are anywhere near as fascinating as the Vollman saga! But still, it’s a pleasure to have such a significant part of an author’s life presented with such respect for detail. But the life of the man is there, too, in this piece, reminding the reader that we are not just our books—but also that our books are among the most important relationships in our lives. And what a struggle it is to bring them into the world the way we want. I also loved having to slow down to read this….I’m a speed reader, and since I do so much research, have developed some bad skimming habits—handy when doing research but not the experience of savoring when reading that I had as a kid. This was impossible to skim—and who would want to?
Staggering. This delicately and relentlessly reported piece just stunned me.
One of the best longform magazine style pieces I've yet seen published on Substack.
That's a terrific compliment, thank you. In Substack publications like this one, I imagine lots of longform pieces start out voicier and more info-packed than they finally appear. The credit goes to the editors here, for allowing it to breathe.
Such a thrilling piece, very long but so engaging that I couldn’t stop reading even though I’ve never read anything by Vollman and think I would find him indigestible.
Another brilliant read.
What a life. 😳
When people ask me about the world of “Publishing” I feel like such a dilettante giving any answer— writers like Vollman are so prolific. He’s so wildly skilled at his craft, and yet the publisher/writer relationship is such a consequential piece of the puzzle. So many things have to go right at the same time for things to work.
This is a beautiful presentation of Vollmann, his work, and that of those with whom he has worked. Thank you.
I'm slowly reading the full Rising Up and Rising Down now, and reviewing each volume for an upcoming literary journal, and am consistently mesmerized by someone who takes the task of the writer—and the seeker; the person willing to think and feel—so seriously.
This profile makes me sad that William has experienced the losses he has, but thrilled by the fact that there are still patient readers and fans willing to attend to his books.
I love the idea of reading/reviewing each volume, and I'd love to follow along. Is there a page I should follow or bookmark?
Oh sick—I'd love that! I will post a link in this thread when the site goes live on April 7th.
I was curious enough to set a reminder to myself, and I think Ken must mean his review in the new Zona Motel. Please correct me if I'm wrong. https://zonamotel.substack.com/p/review-rising-up-and-rising-down
Jacob: yes! Thank you!
Alexander: there it is. Hope y'all dig it and the (slow) series to come!
Wonderful! I feel like I personally met Vollmann. Makes me want to take You Bright and Risen Angels off the shelf. Great job on the article!
Wow. Outstanding job. Captures the man, with all his difficulties, with sympathy.
Excellent column again from you all.
This is the kind of literary reportage, I so crave, and sadly, see so little of. Bravo.
I had never heard of Vollman before reading this piece, but now I am infinitely curious about this man and his (too many?) words. Thank you, Alexander, for the introduction.
Impressive piece on so many levels. Long, but doesn't read that way. A detail that left me gobsmacked: how modern publishing took the liberty of "editing Roald Dahl’s books for children so that they’re better-aligned with modern progressive attitudes (the young protagonist of Matilda, as Dahl created her, was an avid reader of Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling; editors at Penguin Random House changed that to Jane Austen and John Steinbeck)." The word "toxic" is thrown around too much, but such decisions are toxic to creativity and free expression.
Agreed--and if you're interested, there are a number of outlets online that have compared the original passages with the revised ones.
Thanks, man. When I'm in the mood for good jolt of rage, I'll search them up.
👍👍
Incredible piece. Nice work all around
Amazing piece. Perhaps one of the best pieces I've read on Vollmann.
Bravo Alexander and bravo TMR ✨✨
I don’t know Vollman’s work (should I be embarrassed?) but now I know yours. Magnificent! I’ve had my own “adventures” in publishing, some wonderful and some winding and torturous and some infuriating and some very sad (involving dearest editor-firing and later suicide) and I’ve never read anything that captured just how complicated and full of strangeness publishing books, especially during the past ten years, can be. Not that my adventures are anywhere near as fascinating as the Vollman saga! But still, it’s a pleasure to have such a significant part of an author’s life presented with such respect for detail. But the life of the man is there, too, in this piece, reminding the reader that we are not just our books—but also that our books are among the most important relationships in our lives. And what a struggle it is to bring them into the world the way we want. I also loved having to slow down to read this….I’m a speed reader, and since I do so much research, have developed some bad skimming habits—handy when doing research but not the experience of savoring when reading that I had as a kid. This was impossible to skim—and who would want to?
Didn't know much about Vollmann, but this article is a great primer. Thank you!