“I wish I could have had a conversation with Hunter S. Thompson and whatever he was drinking – a scary thought!”
– Michael Hurd
A member of the Writers’ League for four years, Michael lives outside of Houston, Texas.
Scribe: In what genre(s) do you write?
Michael Hurd: Nonfiction, primarily about Black history and sports. But I had a long career in newspapers as a sportswriter before I began researching and writing about black history.
Scribe: What author would you most like to have a drink with, and what’s the first question you would ask them?
MH: I wish I could have had a conversation with Hunter S. Thompson and whatever he was drinking – a scary thought! His book, Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72, about the Nixon-McGovern 1972 presidential campaign was brilliant, irreverent, and funny as only HST could be. So, right away, I’d love to get his thoughts about the rise of Trump.
Scribe: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what book would you want to have with you to keep you sane?
MH: I’d want something lighthearted. For several consecutive springs during the 1970s, to get in the spirit for the upcoming baseball season, I read Ball Four by former big league pitcher Jim Bouton. It’s an insightful, but laugh out loud hilarious diary of his 1969 season in the Major Leagues.
Scribe: What have you learned from your association with the Writers’ League?
MH: Just the number of supportive resources that are available for writers, and the enthusiasm and love for writing we see when we interact with aspiring and even veteran writers through our programs.
Scribe: Where do you see your writing taking you (or you taking it) in the future?
MH: I love historical fiction, so I’m going take a serious first run at that and write about an event that happened during World War I. I’ve been researching the subject for more years than I care to admit, I have a good sense of the story and I’m at the point where I just need to sit and write. Actually, I’ve been at that point for a while, so no more procrastination.
Scribe: Here at the Writers’ League, we love sharing book recommendations. What’s one Texas-related book that has come out within the past year that you couldn’t put down?
MH: I’m so behind in my reading, because I was immersed in researching, writing, and finishing my own book last year. I’m just starting to try and get caught up, and there are plenty of new “Texas” books that I want to read. But, unfortunately, I don’t have anything to share here, for now.
Scribe: Is there anything else about you that you would like to share with the world? An opportunity for blatant self-promotion!
MH: My third book, Thursday Night Lights, was released by UT Press last fall. The book is about football programs at the all-black high schools that played in the Prairie View Interscholastic League in Texas before integration, covering 50 years – 1920 to 1970. Quite a few great athletes, coaches, and teams came out of the league but they didn’t get a lot of media attention and certainly no in-depth coverage. Around the state, those schools played their games on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
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Thanks, Michael!
If you’re a Writers’ League member and you’d be interested in being interviewed for our Meet the Members feature, email us at member@writersleague.org for more information. It’s a great way for other members to get to know you and for you to share a bit about what you’re working on!
