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When Mr. John P. Gavit, managing editor of the New York Evening Post, wrote to Mr. Melville E. Stone, general manager of the Associated Press, that I had a reputation 'as an insatiable hunter of personal publicity,' what Mr. Gavit meant was that I was accustomed to demand and obtain more space in newspapers than the amount of my worldly possessions entitled me to.

Upton Sinclair#25

MediaNewsPublicityReputationVoice

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author humorously redefines a reputation for seeking publicity as simply demanding more newspaper space than his status would typically justify.
In plain terms
Calling me a publicity hound just means I ask for more space in newspapers than I usually get.
What can you take from it?
Reputation often depends on how you frame your actions.

Where it applies

  • media relations
  • self-promotion
  • public speaking

Putting it to work

  • demand attention for causes
  • reframe criticism

Questions to consider

  • What counts as publicity?
  • Who controls newspaper space?

Another view

This view might justify excessive self-promotion.

More from Upton Sinclair

  1. In the course of my twenty years career as an assailant of special privilege, I have attacked pretty nearly every important interest in America. The statements…

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  2. Now and then it occurs to one to reflect upon what slender threads of accident depend the most important circumstances of his life; to look back and shudder, r…

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  3. The reader will understand that I despise these 'yellows'; they are utterly without honor, they are vulgar and cruel; and yet, in spite of all their vices, I c…

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