Bill Carter is a man of many hats: a photographer, a
filmmaker, a journalist and an author, he also worked as a firefighter, a
bartender and a fisherman. He’s traveled to more than 45 countries, but he
lives
narrative exploration about the necessities of copper and the brutal truth of
the mining process. The story delves into the issues surrounding the Pebble
Mine. It is also a tale of how one man tries to protect his family, delves into
communities far from his hometown, and holds conversations with natives and
big-shot businessmen alike.
Your book, Boom, Bust, Boom, centers around the need (and
greed) concerning copper, did you really just stumble upon the subject after
you got sick from your home-grown garden?
greed) concerning copper, did you really just stumble upon the subject after
you got sick from your home-grown garden?
There are three points of origin for this book. One, I lived
inBisbee , Arizona
which has a rich history of copper mining. Just living there conjures up the Wild
West and copper barons. When talk began of Freeport McMoRan reopening the mine
that planted a seed in my mind. Second, the level of arsenic in the yard
worried me and astonished me, especially since the mine had been closed for 35
years and the smelters,which would have been mostly responsible for the
pollutants,had been shut down since 1908. Third, since I had spent four seasons
working as a commercial fisherman inBristol Bay I was
aware of the Pebble mine issue which I wrote about in my book Red Summer. All
these combined made me begin to realize that one, I don’t actually know where I
live, and two, I am not sure I want to keep living there, and three, Pebble
mine, if it ever got up and running would absolutely destroy the Bristol Bay
salmon run.
in
which has a rich history of copper mining. Just living there conjures up the Wild
West and copper barons. When talk began of Freeport McMoRan reopening the mine
that planted a seed in my mind. Second, the level of arsenic in the yard
worried me and astonished me, especially since the mine had been closed for 35
years and the smelters,which would have been mostly responsible for the
pollutants,had been shut down since 1908. Third, since I had spent four seasons
working as a commercial fisherman in
aware of the Pebble mine issue which I wrote about in my book Red Summer. All
these combined made me begin to realize that one, I don’t actually know where I
live, and two, I am not sure I want to keep living there, and three, Pebble
mine, if it ever got up and running would absolutely destroy the Bristol Bay
salmon run.
The thing I enjoyed most when reading your book was the
first-hand conversations you had with so many people. What was it like talking
to all of them?
first-hand conversations you had with so many people. What was it like talking
to all of them?
All my books are deeply woven into first hand conversations
with people. I enjoy listening to people. I like to hear them out on their
terms. I may not agree with them at all, but I still enjoy hearing them out. I
think the trick to being able to speak to total strangers is them trusting me.
I don’t trick anyone. I am curious creature and they recognize that and the
conversation begins.
with people. I enjoy listening to people. I like to hear them out on their
terms. I may not agree with them at all, but I still enjoy hearing them out. I
think the trick to being able to speak to total strangers is them trusting me.
I don’t trick anyone. I am curious creature and they recognize that and the
conversation begins.
After doing so much research and writing a book about the necessity
of copper, do you think Pebble Mine will open?
of copper, do you think Pebble Mine will open?
This is a complex issue and needs a complex answer, but in
order to keep it short, I will say this: Due to the way the mining laws are set
up in the U.S. and in Alaska, I think the only real hope is an executive order
declaring Bristol Bay a national treasure; a valuable watershed that must be
protected from large scale contamination. The 1872 mining law and Alaskan
laws regarding mining make it almost impossible to say “no” to a mine. This
needs to be corrected and is something I am deeply trying to make aware to
people. As a society there is no doubt we need copper. However there should be
a way by science and law that we, as a society, have the ability to recognize
when a mine is a clear and present danger to an already existing resource. One
that cannot be replaced. There should be a place in our mining laws for the
will of the people to stand up and say no. That is going to take an act of
Congress to change the 1872 mining law and in today’s partisan politicians I
don’t see that happening anytime soon. Thus short of an executive order
declaring Bristol Bay a natural resource that must be protected, forever,I fear
the mining companies will wait until political winds in Washington favor them
and then begin the process again.
order to keep it short, I will say this: Due to the way the mining laws are set
up in the U.S. and in Alaska, I think the only real hope is an executive order
declaring Bristol Bay a national treasure; a valuable watershed that must be
protected from large scale contamination. The 1872 mining law and Alaskan
laws regarding mining make it almost impossible to say “no” to a mine. This
needs to be corrected and is something I am deeply trying to make aware to
people. As a society there is no doubt we need copper. However there should be
a way by science and law that we, as a society, have the ability to recognize
when a mine is a clear and present danger to an already existing resource. One
that cannot be replaced. There should be a place in our mining laws for the
will of the people to stand up and say no. That is going to take an act of
Congress to change the 1872 mining law and in today’s partisan politicians I
don’t see that happening anytime soon. Thus short of an executive order
declaring Bristol Bay a natural resource that must be protected, forever,I fear
the mining companies will wait until political winds in Washington favor them
and then begin the process again.
Your book seems to showcase the gritty existence of life and
the greed of certain bands of people. How did you find the right agent and
publisher for your writing style?
the greed of certain bands of people. How did you find the right agent and
publisher for your writing style?
Getting an agent and publisher can be a life long journey
for many writers. It took many years for me to get both. The publishing
industry is set up as a Catch 22 process. You can’t get a publisher without an
agent, because no one will read your manuscript, and you can’t get an agent
without some promise of a publisher paying you. I was lucky enough to meet Jim
Harrison, the writer, who loved my manuscript for my first book. He wrote a
letter to someone and after years of rejection I got a publisher. What he did
is important to understand. He did not get me a deal. What he did is suggest to
someone to actually read the manuscript. That is what is usually needed. And
when the door opens my job was to be ready. I find people hoping to have a
writing career often don’t realize those doors occasionally open. You have to be
ready with something. Aspiration and dreaming of being a writer is a sure way
for the door to close. Having something written in hand is the key.
for many writers. It took many years for me to get both. The publishing
industry is set up as a Catch 22 process. You can’t get a publisher without an
agent, because no one will read your manuscript, and you can’t get an agent
without some promise of a publisher paying you. I was lucky enough to meet Jim
Harrison, the writer, who loved my manuscript for my first book. He wrote a
letter to someone and after years of rejection I got a publisher. What he did
is important to understand. He did not get me a deal. What he did is suggest to
someone to actually read the manuscript. That is what is usually needed. And
when the door opens my job was to be ready. I find people hoping to have a
writing career often don’t realize those doors occasionally open. You have to be
ready with something. Aspiration and dreaming of being a writer is a sure way
for the door to close. Having something written in hand is the key.
As for my publisher now. I am with Scribner and my editor is
Colin Harrison, who is a very accomplished writer as well. We have a good
relationship and hope to continue for many books to come.
Colin Harrison, who is a very accomplished writer as well. We have a good
relationship and hope to continue for many books to come.
All writers get writer’s block sometime in their writing
career. What did you do to overcome it?
career. What did you do to overcome it?
I try not to worry about it too much, although it is hard
not to. After a while, I usually remember it is part of a processand that
perhaps the block is for a reason. To think something through, to take a break,
etc.
not to. After a while, I usually remember it is part of a processand that
perhaps the block is for a reason. To think something through, to take a break,
etc.
What do you think of the self-publishing route?
I think the self-publishing route will only get larger.
Technology dictates that. But, making a living from writing alone is rare. I
have always had various jobs to support my day-job of writing. It seems to me
that self-publishing allows more people to get their stories out, but at the
same time I fear we also are losing a valuable filter on what is worth reading.
I am not a fan of the small club of publishing and agents controlling content,
however I am also not a fan of unedited material flooding the market. I
appreciate the editing process with Scribner as something that sharpens my
skills, my book.
Technology dictates that. But, making a living from writing alone is rare. I
have always had various jobs to support my day-job of writing. It seems to me
that self-publishing allows more people to get their stories out, but at the
same time I fear we also are losing a valuable filter on what is worth reading.
I am not a fan of the small club of publishing and agents controlling content,
however I am also not a fan of unedited material flooding the market. I
appreciate the editing process with Scribner as something that sharpens my
skills, my book.
That it is a long arduous process. Hard work and staying in
the chair is what it takes. When it comes to the PR aspect you have to be ready
to do much much more than the publisher will be willing to do. They
operate on the big media circles and books are like airplanes lined up on
a tarmac. When you are next in line they begin to focus their machine on your
book. Those first few moments of flight they are right there speaking into your
ear, navigating the way. But once the plane is put on auto pilot, which we all know
happens very fast in actual fights, they disappear. So after years of working
on a book, you can be left standing alone at a bookstore with no proper support
to move the book. So, working on this aspect of the publishing is also very
important.
the chair is what it takes. When it comes to the PR aspect you have to be ready
to do much much more than the publisher will be willing to do. They
operate on the big media circles and books are like airplanes lined up on
a tarmac. When you are next in line they begin to focus their machine on your
book. Those first few moments of flight they are right there speaking into your
ear, navigating the way. But once the plane is put on auto pilot, which we all know
happens very fast in actual fights, they disappear. So after years of working
on a book, you can be left standing alone at a bookstore with no proper support
to move the book. So, working on this aspect of the publishing is also very
important.
What words of wisdom do you have for emerging authors?
I usually tell young budding authors to relax for a bit.
Great you have the itch, but really what most people need is a voice worth
listening to. To get that most of us have to live a little. Go out into the
world, or become really good at something. Listen to people. Getting out of
college and writing a book right away is very rare in today’s world. Mark Twain
and Charles Dickens wrote masterpieces as young men, but the world was
different. They grew up surrounded by difficult times. This helps shape a
person’s voice. When I was 22, I left college and went toAsia
for two years. I made a long list of all the books I wanted to read. About 200
books. Eventually, I read them all. That time of just reading and traveling and
being is what planted the seeds of being a writer.
Great you have the itch, but really what most people need is a voice worth
listening to. To get that most of us have to live a little. Go out into the
world, or become really good at something. Listen to people. Getting out of
college and writing a book right away is very rare in today’s world. Mark Twain
and Charles Dickens wrote masterpieces as young men, but the world was
different. They grew up surrounded by difficult times. This helps shape a
person’s voice. When I was 22, I left college and went to
for two years. I made a long list of all the books I wanted to read. About 200
books. Eventually, I read them all. That time of just reading and traveling and
being is what planted the seeds of being a writer.