If youve read the front page of this weeks edition, you know that we have released my first book, On the Porch, a collection of the best columns that have appeared in this space over the years. If youre worried about another toilet paper shortage, do we have a deal for you!
Contributing writer Steve Reece of Smarr played a big part in making the book happen. I had narrowed the 1,800 columns I had written over the past 20 years down to about 200. But I sometimes have a hard time making those tough final cuts. Steve had no such qualms. He eliminated mediocre columns like a machete man, and got it down to a manageable number that wouldnt require my publisher, Amazon, to cut down the Amazon forest to print the thing. During the publishing process, Steve had some questions about the book. I thought I might share them and my answers.
Q. Youve written a weekly column for like 20 years. Why did you wait until now to publish a book?
A. Are you calling me lazy Steve? Youre fired. No seriously, I have wanted to publish a book of my columns for some time. I finally got the ball rolling last summer when our intern, Bailey Storey, began taking them off the newspaper pages in our computer server and copying them into a folder. That meant the editing process could begin. But of course it didnt. Then you (Steve) started working for us in March and helped select the best columns. Then COVID-19 struck. We never missed a day of work during the shutdown, but we did have some down time. That allowed me to work on it. Former Macon Telegraph columnist Ed Grisamore and Macon author Rick Maier, both veterans of the book publishing process, were indispensable in giving advice. My dear mother, as only mothers do, had saved a few of her favorite columns from previous newspaper stints where I had served. Further, unlike you, it takes me 20 years to come up with enough good material to publish a book. Im sure itll only take you about 19 years.
Q. Whats your favorite column that youve written?
A. Well I always enjoy taking local politicians to task. When I was publisher of the Sylvania Telephone, the county commissioners threatened to pull all the legal ads out of the newspaper if I didnt toe the line and make them look better. I was 25 years old and a little rattled. But my first newspaper boss, Dink NeSmith, backed me all the way. He encouraged me to write a front-page column in response. So I did. I wrote that if we had to choose between our integrity and the revenue from their handful of legal ads, we would select our integrity every time. The response from our readers was incredible. We were overrun with letters to the editor slamming commissioners for trying to bully the press.
Alas, my wife, wisely, notes that people enjoy humorous columns more than political ones. So I have tried to steer away from politics in recent years. One of my columns that got the biggest response recently told a story many can relate to: Getting my Corona haircut from my father in law. He butchered me with delight. I got a lot of response, and thats what makes it fun, when people enjoy a column and can relate to it. I wrote one three years ago about when goats took over our office that people still ask me about. And yes, all of these are in the book.
Q. How do you go about writing a column?
A. Desperately and with great panic. Newspaper people are terrific procrastinators and I am one of the best. So I usually put it off until were going to press at 5 p.m. on Tuesdays. Its the last white space we fill in the Reporter every week. Now some weeks, if I am being a good boy, Ill write it on Monday night. I always enjoy life more when I do that. But of course thats rare.
Finally, Steve, I want to say how overwhelmed I am by the readers of the Reporter. Due to their support, the Reporters newspaper subscriptions are up 20 percent this year. Theres probably not a newspaper in America that can say that. Theres a special bond between this newspaper and our readers. I treasure it, and this book is an outgrowth of that. Whether you enjoy reading or are struggling with insomnia, I hope many of you will get a copy of On the Porch.
Read more here:
ON THE PORCH: Doing it by the book - Monroe County Reporter
- Porch pirate caught on video wears trash bag to steal package - The Washington Post - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Thief Disguises As A Garbage Bag To Steal Packages From Porches - iHeart - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Des Moines couple says car crashed into their backyard porch, leaving it in shambles - KCCI Des Moines - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Porch pirate disguised as trash bag caught on video stealing packages from home - New York Post - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- WATCH: Porch Pirate Tries To Sneak Away In Garbage Bag - iHeart - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Sneaky Porch Pirate Disguised As a Trash Bag Steals Homeowner's Package in Sacramento - Laughing Squid - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- DMPD investigating hit-and-run after vehicle crashes into porch - WHO TV 13 Des Moines News & Weather - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Back porch catches fire, spreading to attic in Henrico County - WRIC ABC 8News - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- I'm Holding A Freaking Hawk Woman Grabs Hawk Trapped In Screened-In Porch & The Bird Could Not Have Been ... - Whiskey Riff - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- 'Something has to happen:' Mother speaks out after 11-year-old son shot standing on porch in Tampa - FOX 13 Tampa - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- 11-year-old shot while standing on front porch of Tampa apartment: Police - ABC Action News Tampa Bay - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Hes shot: 11-year-old Tampa boy shot while standing on porch, TPD says - WFLA - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Tampa police seek information after 11-year-old boy is shot on front porch - Tampa Bay Times - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Dutch Boy Paints Enhances Porch and Floor Paint Collection - PR Newswire - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Philadelphia stabbing: Next-door neighbor charged with stabbing 83-year-old Dolores Robinson to death on porch - WPVI-TV - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- 11-year-old boy shot on front porch in Tampa - NBC2 News - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- 83-year-old fatally stabbed on front porch in North Philly - KYW - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Philadelphia stabbing: 83-year-old woman stabbed to death on Philadelphia porch after altercation on North 27th Street - WPVI-TV - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Governor DeSantis targets retail and porch thefts with new bill - FOX 13 Tampa - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- South Bend man arrested after leading police on chase, crashing into porch - WNDU - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Neighbor charged with murder after woman, 83, stabbed on porch in North Philadelphia - Yahoo News - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Ohio, It's Time To Start Using All Green Porch Lights - wkfr.com - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- This 42-foot Cabin on Wheels Dazzles With a Huge Porch and Roomy Interior - autoevolution - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- It's Time to Start Using All Green Porch Lights in Massachusetts - Live 95.9 - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Why All Missouri Porch Lights Should Turn Green & Stay That Way - KHMO News-Talk-Sports - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- 13-year-old girl dies days after being shot in head while standing on porch in Alton - KSDK.com - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- It's Time To Start Using All Green Porch Lights Iowa - K92.3 - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Neighbor arrested in fatal stabbing of woman, 83, on front porch of her Philadelphia home - The Cairns Post - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- 19 Ways to Make Your Front Porch More Inviting in Winter - Bob Vila - January 13th, 2024 [January 13th, 2024]
- Victims of porch pirates warned not to post videos in Canada because of privacy laws - KABC-TV - January 13th, 2024 [January 13th, 2024]
- What's The Meaning Behind Green Porch Lights In Texas? - News Talk 96.5 KPEL - January 13th, 2024 [January 13th, 2024]
- Video: DPW Worker Knocks Fleeing Porch Pirate To Ground In Yonkers, Police Say - Daily Voice - January 13th, 2024 [January 13th, 2024]
- Canadian police warn that posting videos of alleged package thieves could be violation' of their privacy - Fox News - January 13th, 2024 [January 13th, 2024]
- Police warn posting porch pirate videos online can violate alleged thieves' privacy - KIMA CBS 29 - January 13th, 2024 [January 13th, 2024]
- The spirit of the Grinch is still alive: Video captures good Samaritan body check would-be porch pirate days after Christmas - Law & Crime - January 13th, 2024 [January 13th, 2024]
- Canadian authorities warn porch-pirate victims not to post videos of suspects in the act - The Citizen - January 13th, 2024 [January 13th, 2024]
- City Worker Clotheslines Suspected Porch Pirate Running From Cop - iHeart - January 13th, 2024 [January 13th, 2024]
- Ward 6 Porch Winner in Annual Petal Porch Competition - Hill Rag - April 29th, 2023 [April 29th, 2023]
- Front Porch Musical Theatre Puts On 'Fiddler On The Roof Jr.' - ccxmedia.org - April 29th, 2023 [April 29th, 2023]
- Architectural styles: turn of the century - Claremont Courier - April 29th, 2023 [April 29th, 2023]
- Trumbull Home Offers Screened-In Heated Porch, Fenced-In Yard - Patch - April 29th, 2023 [April 29th, 2023]
- Celebrate the Month of May with an Indy 500 Porch Party - WISH TV Indianapolis, IN - April 29th, 2023 [April 29th, 2023]
- Clifton neighbours saw porch 'crumble' after car crashed into house - Nottinghamshire Live - April 29th, 2023 [April 29th, 2023]
- Kaeja d'Dance Presents 12th Annual 'Porch View Dances' in August - Broadway World - April 29th, 2023 [April 29th, 2023]
- Firefighters respond to porch fire near Fifth and Lind - Herald-Whig - April 29th, 2023 [April 29th, 2023]
- DA: Father charged for 'accidentally' shooting 5-year-old son on porch in Olney - FOX 29 Philadelphia - April 29th, 2023 [April 29th, 2023]
- Alleged Mass. military leaker was on moms porch reading Bible when FBI agents came to arrest him - MassLive.com - April 29th, 2023 [April 29th, 2023]
- Potted plants stolen from front porch in Lowestoft - East Anglian Daily Times - April 29th, 2023 [April 29th, 2023]
- Mothers in construction: A pathway to family-sustaining careers ... - New England Real Estate Journal Online - April 29th, 2023 [April 29th, 2023]
- The Home Front: Now's the time for a front porch refresh - Vancouver Sun - April 29th, 2023 [April 29th, 2023]
- Our masked bandit: Raccoon steals Amazon package from Portage County porch - WJW FOX 8 News Cleveland - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- How I Met Your Mother's Porch Test Has A Surprisingly Sweet ... - Screen Rant - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- Terrifying Moment Huge Bear Breaks Into Family Home's Porch Caught on CCTV - Newsweek - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- Bethesda Home With Wrap-Around Porch, Arched Entryway Listed For $2.8M - Patch - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- Chelsea police ask for help identifying suspect in string of pride flag thefts - MLive.com - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- Someone targeting homes with fireworks and bottle rockets, according to Pebble Creek neighborhood residents - WYFF4 Greenville - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- Photos: Echo Street West project's BeltLine porch is starting to exist - Urbanize LA - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- Chihuahua returned after being stolen from front porch of home in Bayside, Queens - WABC-TV - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- Muscadine Bloodline Share Inspirational Video About Journey Of ... - Whiskey Riff - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- Bear steals the show on Susan's porch critter cam - Wisconsin State Farmer - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- Teen charged in car theft, leaving infant on porch has motion to transfer case denied - fox42kptm.com - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- Watch This Angry Alligator Invade a Family's Porch and Refuse to ... - AZ Animals - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- What Does It Mean When You See a Red Porch Light? - 97X - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- Spotlight: Folk music animates Northlight's 'Porch on Windy Hill' - Daily Herald - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- Yankee Stadium's short porch beckons Shohei Ohtani, not that he needs it - Newsday - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- Colorful backyards 11 color schemes for porches and patio - LivingEtc - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- Feature-Filled Decks + Stunning Locations, Views: VA Dream Homes - Leesburg, VA Patch - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- McCoy, Ost named top SSHS Graduates in 2023 - frontporchnewstexas.com - April 21st, 2023 [April 21st, 2023]
- 75 Porch Ideas You'll Love - April, 2023 | Houzz - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- 11 Types of Porches (With Photos) Upgraded Home - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- Front porch awning ideas 9 beautiful looks with canvas, metal, and more - Homes & Gardens - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Front Porch: A mother's and grandmother's heart always has more room - The Spokesman Review - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Fire that displaced dozens started on back porch - WCVB Boston - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- 2022 Porchfests are a lot more than "porches and bands" - Buffalo Rising - April 19th, 2022 [April 19th, 2022]
- East Garfield Park building where porch collapsed to be demolished: city - Chicago Sun-Times - April 19th, 2022 [April 19th, 2022]
- Wet Leg Play Isle Of Wight Homecoming Show On A Porch: Watch - Stereogum - April 19th, 2022 [April 19th, 2022]
- Woman accused of pushing mother-in-law off porch - The Herald-News - April 19th, 2022 [April 19th, 2022]
- Music on the Porch brings the old sound to town - The Sylva Herald - April 19th, 2022 [April 19th, 2022]
- Reese's is bringing back its popular peanut butter lovers cups for a limited time - Southern Thing - April 19th, 2022 [April 19th, 2022]
- Suspect in West Memphis bank robbery leads police on chase into Memphis, caught sitting on porch - WATN - Local 24 - April 19th, 2022 [April 19th, 2022]