RIP, smart writer Pete.
When Pete Hamill left our world earlier this month, I bowed my head for the loss of a writer whose words meant so much to New Yorkers and smart folks beyond state and, yes, national lines.
Hamill’s ink ran out of his veins onto newsprint and the pages of novels.
Well, I recalled, did not my beat at the big daily include a fascinating phone interview with Hamill when my beat included the Friends of Central LibrAry Gifford Lecture series?
Indeed. Back in the winter of 2009, Hamill gave me more phone time than most for my preview piece. The long Q and A still resides on the big daily site.
I read it again, and feel smarter for it.
If you are chase ideas and words, Pete Hamill’s mind still intrigues. Discover his light at the link above.
Mark Bialczak 
Wow. He’ll be greatly missed!
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Yes, I am fortunate to have spoken to him, Omowunmi.
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I loved your interview! It made me nostalgic for real newspaper days. He seems like a nice guy to visit with. Felt like listening in on a great conversation at a coffee shop between two friends. Thank you for posting this Mark!
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It made me nostalgic as well, Sandra. Thank you for getting it.
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Cool interview, Mark. I remember reading Pete Hamill’s stuff riding the subways in NYC heading to school (CCNY). If it was written by Pete Hamill, I was there, maybe because I liked his politics. I find the best place for great writers (especially nowadays) is Esquire Magazine, where you would occasionally find a piece by Pete Hamill.
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New York papers carried writers that interested me all life long, Mike. And Esquire carries a tradition, too. Hope you are well. Sad Mets news last night.
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Mark, ever’ onct in a while, you write some poignant shit. You keep on keeping on My Good Friend.
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Thanks, Lance. Yup, I have my blue moons.
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Great interview, Mark! Snow in August is one of my favorite books ever.
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Yes! Fine book. Thank you so much for your kind words, Kim.
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How did it manage to do it all? Amazing guy, warts and all.
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Good observation, Jnana.
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after his recent passing, i heard a series of interviews with him on npr, and he was truly a classic one of a kind. he will be so missed by so many.
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He lived through the classic newspaper period, Beth, so I treasured his words rereading them now.
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