The Most Famous Author of All Time from Washington State?

DSomething amazing just happened. In Business Insider’s “The Most Famous Author from Every State” article, I was their pick for Washington State.

Our state has produced some great and serious authors (most notably Sherman Alexie and Richard Brautigan), and some very popular, mass-market writers (including romance novelist Debbie Macomber, Dune author Frank Herbert, and rabble rouser Glenn Beck). But they chose a guy who writes guidebooks. I suppose if it was based on titles in print (67) or ongoing sales (about a million a year), it might make sense to pick me…but certainly not for “literature.” Still, I will willingly join the ranks of other states’ most famous writers, from Herman Melville (New York) to Mark Twain (Missouri).

In my defense, I believe that, out of the 51 writers named, I’m the only one who’s designed a series of phrase books, assessed the flamenco options in Sevilla, laid out a pub crawl in Venice, collected a listing of coffeshops where older travelers might enjoy a joint in Amsterdam, discussed the morality of stealing lunch from your guesthouse’s breakfast buffet, or explained how to enjoy the Vienna Boys Choir without buying a ticket.

Take a look at Business Insider’s list, and see if you agree with the writer who made the cut for your state. (And, to whoever at Business Insider chose me: Thanks, and happy travels!)

 

Comments

4 Replies to “The Most Famous Author of All Time from Washington State?”

  1. I have to say that your guide books are the only ones that I have read that are entertaining like a novel.

  2. Please, please, please never put your name in the same posting as Glenn Beck. Whatever, that man is inflicted with, you do not want to take a chance of catching it.

  3. Rick, travel is close to your heart. In your blog you underline two other famous writers who made the list. Mark Twain wrote two great non-fiction works on travel (“The Innocents Abroad” and “A Tramp Abroad”) and Herman Melville wrote “Moby-Dick,” a tale about adventure on the high seas.

  4. Rick,

    What a busy year you had!

    Congratulations on receiving recognition for your writing skills which millions of us love.

    der doppelganger

Comments are closed.