Jess Walter Speech

Going into an industry that is dying can be scary to some, but if writing is your passion then the market will be there and the pay will come, said Jess Walter Thursday evening in CADD Room 21.

“It never occurred to me that a newspaper could die” read Walter from his newest novel The Financial Lives of the Poets.
“It felt like I was dying,” he read.

Jess Walter, a former journalist and finalist for the 2006 National Book Award, spoke to about 75 WSU creative writing and journalism students and staff members about pursuing a career in the dying writing industry.

Walter told students that phases come and go, so students should keep their head up during this low economy and continue to pursue what they desire. Walter is the author of five novels and one non-fiction book.

“As an English major, that is the best thing you can hear,” said Jillian Clark, a junior creative writing student at WSU.
“It is reassuring to hear, when everyone else tells you you’re crazy for wanting to pursue this career.”