The Devil comes to a writer and says, “I will make you the best writer of your generation. Never mind generation—of the century. No—this millennium! Not only the best, but the most famous, and also the richest; in addition to that, you will be very influential and your glory will endure forever. All you have to do is sell me your grandmother, your mother, your wife, your kids, your dog and your soul.”
“Sure,” says the writer. “Absolutely—give me the pen, where do I sign?” Then he hesitates. “Just a minute,” he says. “What’s the catch?”
—Margaret Atwood, On Writers and Writing (pp. 90-91), aka, Negotiating With The Dead: A Writer on Writing
Joseph Hutchison, Colorado Poet Laureate 2014-2019, has published 20 collections of poems and edited or co-edited three poetry anthologies. He currently directs two master’s-level programs for University College at the University of Denver: Professional Creative Writing and Arts & Culture Management. Joe lives with his wife, Melody Madonna, in the mountains southwest of Denver, Colorado, the city where he was born. 
She never misses, does she?
I have seen Margaret Atwood twice in person, once at the University of Washington in Seattle (1977) and at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland VA (2010). Glad she is still alive and kicking!
Need that book now! Thanks, Joe
Thanks, Joe. Gonna get it. I love Atwood’s writing and this sounds like fun.
Thanks, Joe, she has long been one of my favorite writers. I once glimpsed her in person many years ago, but her depth and breadth amazed me. Still does.
Got a huge kick out of this!