Mark French

October 10, 2025

Hi Daniel,

A long time ago, I contacted you to ask about how to become an author.  I’m a professor, so I have to write something.  I was thinking about math books for little kids.  You probably don’t remember the exchange, but talking with you helped me find my way.  I’ve been happily cranking out books on musical instruments.  You’re still the only real author I’ve ever talked to.  I’m not sure what I expect you to do with this information. But having discovered your website, I feel the need to let you know that I’m still grateful.

Chicago Days, Hoboken Nights and Fishwhistle are among the small collection of books I happy re-read.  The Hoboken you describe is just captivating.  I wonder if a place like that exists anymore.  Maybe it was as much a time as a place.

Finally, I’d like to add my voice to what I hope is a group of people asking if you are working on a memoir or autobiography.  

I hope you are well and happy,

Mark

daniel pinkwater
Wed, Oct 8, 5:40¯PM (2 days ago)
to me

Thanks for your kind words, and mistaken belief that talking with me did you any good, and that I am a real author. I'm glad to learn that you've been cranking out books, assuming that is something you wanted to do. I think those books of mine you mention Fish Whistle, and the other one, are memoir enough. My secret of authoring is that I only ever write stuff I might like to read. It's a simple principle, if I like it a certain number of other people might like it too. Writing about my life, as in an autobiography, wouldn't be something I'd like to read, because I would already know the content. Of course, I could do what other memoirists do and just make the whole thing up, but isn't that what I do already?