Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Just got my last check

I was surprised - make that gobsmacked - to see an article of mine see print back in October. I had submitted it at least three years ago and thought it was far too dated to make ink. But there it was. Today (yes, seven months later) I received the check for it.

Unless another of the pieces I have "on deposit" with several magazines gets the same revival, this will be my last writing payment ever. It was a wonderful 25 years or so, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing every single one of my contributions in print. No regrets.

We will miss articles from you like the one on plated bullets.

Have fun and good luck in the future.

You are too young and have too much good information left; you can't retire until I do.

We'll miss your help and writing. May your your retirement be as good as you wish for.

Ken O

It was supposed to be fun, Rocky.

Thanks.

Always enjoyed your writing, Rocky. Enjoy retirement.

Retiring was the best career move I ever made. I've been out of the workforce for almost five years and except for some domestic drama, it's been great.

When people ask me what I do, I reply, "I wait for direct deposit).

Enjoy.

I actually stopped writing several years ago. Schlepping an SUV load of gear to a shadeless gun range all the time got to be too much like work. Magazines were accepting fewer and fewer freelance articles - and printing even fewer of the ones they accepted. Checks got smaller and smaller as well as later and later. I finally said, "To hell with it."

That's why I was so stunned when a piece I'd written in 2012 showed up in print in October. Seven months later (and only after asking about it) I got the check. The small check.

But it is reason for this post, and for a martini. Heartfelt thanks to all of you who managed to find and read my stuff. Here's to a happy ending.

Thank you, Rocky, for your insight and information that has added to my learning curve! May your future be blessed, even as you've blessed the lives of others.

It is unfortunate that gun writers have become much less distinguished over the course of my lifetime. It must have been extremely difficult to have tried to make a living in this field in the changing times. I respect men and women who follow their passions, and I respect you, and many gunwriters, who have persevered for so long among the politics, and who have furthered our collective understanding and enjoyment.

I'm deeply honored by your words, good sir. I echo them with regard to the true full-timers like JB. I was a mere hobby writer myself, neither proficient nor prolific enough to make even a fraction of a living at it.

Rocky - I am truly sad to see you go off into the sunset. I enjoyed your research and articles.

Denis

Thanks for your work Mr. Raab. I especially found your .41 Special writings to be helpful, and I had one built up on a Ruger .357 3 screw when I came back from Afghanistan with a years worth of combat pay burning a hole in my pocket. Best wishes in your retirement, Bob aka Golfswithwolves