Lawrence Block ’60 on Mentors and Campus Tramps
Update (June 8, 2010): For the first time in half a century, the entire original text of Campus Tramp, complete with classic cover art, is available for a limited time exclusively through http://creepinghemlock.com/ctclassic.html. This dashing retro trade paperback "Classic Edition" features a new afterword by Block and is available for paid preorder until August 1st, 2010. The Classic Edition will be a limited run printed to order, so no extras will be available after the order period has ended. However, a second, non-exclusive, open-run retail edition with a modern cover and a lower price will become available through creepinghemlock.com in late August and may be found or ordered in bookstores nationwide in November.
Interview by Christian Feuerstein ’94
Lawrence Block ’60 is an acclaimed and best-selling
mystery author, best known for his fictional characters: private investigator
Matthew Scudder and burglar-cum-bookstore owner Bernie Rhodenbarr. In 1993, the
Mystery Writers of America named Block a Grand Master. Antiochians, however,
know Block best for his 1959 pulp novel Campus Tramp, which was published under the nom
de plume Andrew Shaw. A perennial favorite at Antioch College auctions, the
novel follows first-year student Linda Shepard at "Clifton College." Names,
locations and working conditions at the Record are all
classically Antiochian, and the novel was the basis for the movie The
Antioch Adventure.
Publisher Creeping Hemlock
will soon issue a new retro paperback edition of Campus Tramp, and there will
be information in future issues of The Independent on how to pre-order a
copy.
What brought you to Antioch College? What was your major? Friends of my
parents suggested it. I did visit the campus but don't know that that made
much difference. I majored in English but probably took as many history
courses as English. I couldn't quite see the point of studying
literature. Now, all those years later, I'm not sure I see the point of
studying history, either.
What's your favorite memory of being at Antioch? The three months
I spent editing the Record was a satisfying time in many respects. Hard to
pick a favorite memory.
Was there a professor that made a huge impact on your life? Nolan
Miller. I only had one class with him, his writing workshop, and it was most
useful because of the time it gave one to write. You were supposed to
bring something in every week. I was at Antioch two years and took his
workshop my second year. Then I was off for a year, working at a literary
agency; then I came back for a third year, and Nolan was my advisor, I guess,
although I wasn't very good at dealing with advice. I liked him and would
see him when I came back to the campus over the years. I wonder what the
hell he wrote. He published a batch of stories and several novels in the
40s and 50s, then nothing, although he wrote every day - every day - with no particular
thought of publication. I still don't know what to make of that.
Any stirring words of wisdom about the independence of Antioch College? High time! The idiot who created America's
first college in metastasis really screwed things up, didn't he?
Why do you donate to Antioch College? I have, in a small way,
occasionally. Why does anyone donate to anything? Guilt, I suspect, wedded
to the delusion that one can make a difference, and that the difference one
makes is worthwhile.
