2024 book received Book of the Year praise from The Economist
October 2024 – Drew University’s Writers@Drew series welcomed alum Richard King C’92, a writer, illustrator, and teacher.
King discussed his career and most recent book, Sailing Alone: A Surprising History of Isolation and Survival at Sea, which has been named a best culture/ideas book of the year by The Economist.
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After reading from an earlier work, Ahab’s Rolling Sea: A Natural History of Moby-Dick—which won a North American Society of Oceanic History award and was a New Statesman book of the year—King touched on being a psychology major at Drew and how his career unfolded, imparting lessons and answering questions along the way.
King’s post-Drew life started with an advertising internship which showed King what he did not want to do—”Which was great, that’s what internships are for,” he said. He then explored English teaching options and pursued an MA (and eventually a PhD). He was offered the unpopular opportunity to lead high school semesters at sea where he taught literature of the sea and found a niche. From there, King enjoyed more teaching roles (on land and sea) and trying out different mediums of writing and drawing.
King passed along several key learnings from his career to a full Founders Room in Mead Hall.
First, instead of asking yourself “Am I a good writer?” ask “Do I have to do this? Is it what I love to do?”
“If you do, then keep doing that thing,” King said.
King preached patience, exploration, and exposure: “Many writers dabble in a range of genres before settling into what they’re best at,” said King, who noted his own experiences trying out poetry, children’s books, and a novel before finding his place in creative nonfiction.
He also reinforced the old saying that great writers are readers, noting, “You’ve got to be reading the really good people to improve your craft.”
King also stressed that community, networking, and finding the right motivations in writing were more impactful and meaningful than advanced degrees: “It’s not about the degree, it’s about what you make.”
King left the audience with a final lesson—to write for any outlet that will have you and not wait for the big dream opportunity.
“Write for whoever. Write all the time. Don’t save your ideas for this special thing that you’re holding on to. Produce, keep writing, and it will build on itself.”
The free Writers@Drew event was co-sponsored by The Casement Fund and the Drew University English Department.
