Zen in the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity.

BRADBURY, Ray [William Safire].

Item Number: 116768

Santa Barbara, CA: Capra Press/ Joshua Odell Editions, 1989.

First edition of this classic work by the author of Fahrenheit 451. Octavo, original illustrated wrappers as issued. Association copy, inscribed by the author to fellow writer, journalist, and presidential speechwriter William Safire on the title page, “For Bill! Who understands the language that I use. Fondly, Ray Bradbury. 2/9/90.” Together with a one-page autographed letter signed from Bradbury to Safire, also dated 2/9/90, written on Bradbury’s stationary, which reads, “Dear Bill: Thanks for your new book! Here’s mine! Will you do, or have you done and I missed it, an article on the confusion of liberal/conservative, left/right terms this winter in Europe? Krauthammer had one this week, one of the rare attempts to define terms, parties, beliefs. I await yours. We need you. I’ll be in Washington mid-April, lecturing at Johns Hopkins. Hope to call & see you. With admiration! Ray. 2/9/90.” A distinguished copy of Bradbury’s highly-regarded book on writing, substantially expanded from his similarly-titled Capra Press chapbook, here collecting nine essays on writing and the creative process. Inscribed to his friend and long-time correspondent William Safire; during their decades-long friendship and correspondence, Safire reviewed Bradbury’s Zen and the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity for his New York Times column “On Language,” and frequently cited Bradbury’s work when discussing rules for good writing. A fine association, connecting two masters of the English language.

"Zen and the Art of Writing is purely and simply Bradbury's love song to his craft" (Los Angeles Times).