J.D. O’Brien

Gary Fisketjon is dead, and we invite you to mourn with us. He was the greatest editor of American fiction of the past half-century, his fierce editorial eye, remarkable ear and unshakable commitment to the calibration of his own internal instruments helping to shape the work and careers of Raymond Carver, Richard Ford, Don DeLillo, Cormac McCarthy, Denis Johnson, Annie Dillard, Patricia Highsmith, Jay McInerney, Bret Easton Ellis, Donna Tartt and dozens of other household names. Gary would hate for us to tell you that beneath the exterior of an irascible literary lion lived a shy, deeply compassionate man who was as gentle in his nature as he was absolute in his judgement of whether a sentence or a story worked the way it should. He listened to everyone in the room, and always responded on the basis of his own impeccable good taste, and never according to position or reputation. He took special care and joy in encouraging our younger writers and editors, and cherished their growth and independence. He loved telling them stories about peeking into the windows of a church with Denis Johnson after a long night or of Barry Hannah’s misadventures with a shotgun. We mourn the loss of our teacher and friend, and favorite road-trip companion, even though Gary would be the first to say that he did exactly what he wanted to in his life and that he had greatly enjoyed his many adventures. Moreover, that he was proud of having helped out good writers, and never bad writers, and that he had loved and been loved, so fuck it. But we know how excited he was to edit the stack of manuscripts on his desk. We’re heartbroken that you are gone, Gary. We want to thank you again for all the good times, and all the great books. Our condolences to Diana and to all who considered themselves to be your family.

Our latest, an extended 24-page springtime issue, features a quest to the core of The Golden Pineapple by David Samuels, an excerpt from @meaghan_garvey's forthcoming ‘Midwestern Death Trip,’ @Gitchos reporting on Telluride’s ski patrol wars, a heart-wrenching short-story by Donald Ray Pollock, @FarahnMorgan getting real with 49 Winchester, plus an ode to the great @bobweir by Josh Kaufman. There’s a whole lot more within the fold, of course, for which you’ll just have to subscribe. Otherwise, find a copy at your nearest bookstore, record shop, or feed and grain. countyhighway.com/subscribe