Debut, noun: entry into society; first appearance in public of an actor, actress, or other performer .... from French débuter, to make the first stroke in billiards, etc; to lead off.
So far, every issue of F&F has brought back memories for me -- this time of the Norwich (VT) News, which Alan Perkins and I created when we were in fifth grade. It was nowhere near the literary caliber of the Academy Press, but did come out every week for several years, in distinctive Ditto-machine-induced faded purple.
Stories ranged from informative (a lumber truck went into a ditch, but everyone was OK) to celebratory (Jillian F. learned to use the J-Bar at Oak Hill on Saturday!), to thoughtful (arguments pro and con the establishment of a high school in Norwich). Also, national and international -- racial discrimination on Alabama juries was discussed at one point, as was the Eichmann trial (right next to Dicky M.'s eighth birthday).
And occasionally fraudulent, as in October 1960 when we reported on a midnight ceremony marking the completion of the Mechanic Street Bridge. Our report was 100% fictitious, it having been an even slower news week than usual. But we were stunned, a few days later, when the Hanover (NH) Gazette – an actual newspaper -- reprinted our article in its “News from Norwich” column. Their editors had apparently not paused to wonder whether our quiet town would have actually held a midnight extravaganza for the purpose of celebrating an infrastructure repair. And they certainly failed to take a journalistic eye to our companion piece, which described refreshments at the Norwich Inn, all-night dancing, and the expectation that "this magnificent drawbridge will enable larger steamers to traverse Bloody Brook than ever before." (Actual depth of Bloody Brook: one foot.) I recall mixed feelings on our part, including glee at having tricked the professionals and indignation at not having received credit for what, as sixth-graders, we saw as a comedic masterpiece.
Two newspapers produced by middle schoolers, two somewhat different approaches. But still, I'm glad that after all these years, we've discovered yet another convergence in our histories!
Did any of you have early adventures in publishing? Inspired by a comment received this morning in my email from a subscriber, I am thinking of a possible follow-up to this morning's post -- that would feature excerpts from my one existing issue of The Academic Press, PLUS contributions from any of you willing to share memories of childhood ventures into print. Send them along! Or simply share them here in the comments section.
I published a weekliy newspaper for my neighborhood and school in fourth grade, complete with news, cartoons, and classified ads (occasionally). My teacher kindly mimeographed the paper on Fridays and I delivered on Saturdays!
4th grade seems to be a universal time for awakening to the lure of self-publishing, from what I'm hearing. Let me know if you want to elaborate a bit and have your experience included in a future post on this topic -- possibly with examples if you have any!
Another person is already going to put their newspaper debut into the 'Comments' section (ie here!) and at this point I think that's the best route for both you and I. Feel free to create a narrative of any length, and include images if you like. I will do the same before too long! Mine probably will just be an excerpt from the one issue I have since I've already written the 'story'
I was not published in a "real" publication until later, but in 4th grade I wrote, illustrated, and made into a handmade book, a piece about colonial punishments. I was very proud of that book. Still am!
Hilarious! I remember that you had said you were published in a nudist magazine but had never heard the full story. And what a tribute in Literary Marketplace -- you nudist!
I'd like to read the story.
I also enjoyed the etymology of the word debut. Who knew that it was about billiards originally?!
HAHAHHAHHA !!!!!! I can't believe I've never heard this story before !!
Little did you know.... and many more where that came from!
I laughed out loud at this one, Clyde. Thank you!
One couldn't make this up if they tried!! I burst out laughing over my coffee this morning.
So far, every issue of F&F has brought back memories for me -- this time of the Norwich (VT) News, which Alan Perkins and I created when we were in fifth grade. It was nowhere near the literary caliber of the Academy Press, but did come out every week for several years, in distinctive Ditto-machine-induced faded purple.
Stories ranged from informative (a lumber truck went into a ditch, but everyone was OK) to celebratory (Jillian F. learned to use the J-Bar at Oak Hill on Saturday!), to thoughtful (arguments pro and con the establishment of a high school in Norwich). Also, national and international -- racial discrimination on Alabama juries was discussed at one point, as was the Eichmann trial (right next to Dicky M.'s eighth birthday).
And occasionally fraudulent, as in October 1960 when we reported on a midnight ceremony marking the completion of the Mechanic Street Bridge. Our report was 100% fictitious, it having been an even slower news week than usual. But we were stunned, a few days later, when the Hanover (NH) Gazette – an actual newspaper -- reprinted our article in its “News from Norwich” column. Their editors had apparently not paused to wonder whether our quiet town would have actually held a midnight extravaganza for the purpose of celebrating an infrastructure repair. And they certainly failed to take a journalistic eye to our companion piece, which described refreshments at the Norwich Inn, all-night dancing, and the expectation that "this magnificent drawbridge will enable larger steamers to traverse Bloody Brook than ever before." (Actual depth of Bloody Brook: one foot.) I recall mixed feelings on our part, including glee at having tricked the professionals and indignation at not having received credit for what, as sixth-graders, we saw as a comedic masterpiece.
Two newspapers produced by middle schoolers, two somewhat different approaches. But still, I'm glad that after all these years, we've discovered yet another convergence in our histories!
Clyde the nudist!!!!! 😅
ha ha that's me -- at least when I step into the shower!
Love this story— and you tell it so well!
The Dingmans have always been at their best in natural state!
Hah!! Spoken by one who knows!
Skinny dipping in the ocean is really fun!
Ha ha - great!
You have been famous for all these years? So humble, you are, that I never even knew!
I hadn't learned (and maybe still haven't??) to blow my own horn!
Hilarious!!
Wow! Never knew you started so early. Fabulous piece.
OMG!!! Had no idea your illustrious started out this way!
Did any of you have early adventures in publishing? Inspired by a comment received this morning in my email from a subscriber, I am thinking of a possible follow-up to this morning's post -- that would feature excerpts from my one existing issue of The Academic Press, PLUS contributions from any of you willing to share memories of childhood ventures into print. Send them along! Or simply share them here in the comments section.
I published a weekliy newspaper for my neighborhood and school in fourth grade, complete with news, cartoons, and classified ads (occasionally). My teacher kindly mimeographed the paper on Fridays and I delivered on Saturdays!
4th grade seems to be a universal time for awakening to the lure of self-publishing, from what I'm hearing. Let me know if you want to elaborate a bit and have your experience included in a future post on this topic -- possibly with examples if you have any!
I'd love that. Let me know what you have in mind. And yes, I think I have a copy or two in a crate.
Another person is already going to put their newspaper debut into the 'Comments' section (ie here!) and at this point I think that's the best route for both you and I. Feel free to create a narrative of any length, and include images if you like. I will do the same before too long! Mine probably will just be an excerpt from the one issue I have since I've already written the 'story'
I was not published in a "real" publication until later, but in 4th grade I wrote, illustrated, and made into a handmade book, a piece about colonial punishments. I was very proud of that book. Still am!
Clyde this is hilarious
Hilarious! I remember that you had said you were published in a nudist magazine but had never heard the full story. And what a tribute in Literary Marketplace -- you nudist!
I'd like to read the story.
I also enjoyed the etymology of the word debut. Who knew that it was about billiards originally?!
Gee, Clyde! This lays bare the debut of your darker side too! Simply shocking and hysterical!