Murray Teigh Bloom

Murray was a wonderful gentleman and friend. We had drifted apart for a few years then the decades flew. Only today did I decide that I would try to "look him up," very much to my sadness, but not to my surprise after so long did I learn of his passing.
Murray and I worked together on a few projects in the 1970s and 1980s. He was not only a true gentleman, but wonderful teacher as most of the comments have asserted.
Probably no one will ever read this, but I feel better for...

Murray was a true gentlemen, a courtly, judicious, gracious, courteous man of honor. He was also an exceedingly shrewd practitioner of the business of freelance writing, and for decades he put his knowledge at the service of his fellow writers. This combination made him an invaluable and highly esteemed member of our community of writers. I did not meet him often, but each occasion was memorable for the wise counsel he gave and and the kindness with which he gave it. I did not known him...

I am so sorry to hear of Murray's passing. I was just a new ASJA member when I called Murray--nervously--with a contract question. He treated me, a fledgling author, with the respect due a long-time colleague. That initial contact with ASJA through Murray has remained warmly in my memory for the last 17 years, and is one of the reasons I have remained a member. I never met him in person, but I will miss him.

Murray was one of the first ASJA members to welcome and encourage me when I first joined the organization many years ago. I looked forward to hearing his thoughtful and witty analysis every year at our annual conference. He was gracious and warm. We will all miss him.

To dub Murray a giant is praise of the faintest kind. He coached me into ASJA when I was a floundering wannabe and remained a mentor and close friend afterward. I was honored when Lynn Dumas asked me to interview him for the record, and have never stopped remembering him as years turned into decades highlighted by contact that was brief but always blessed. We are all less by his passing. Frank Bianco

I have known OF Murray Teigh Bloom since I joined ASJA in 1986. I never met him, yet he was one of the reasons I relied on ASJA for advice, help, comfort. He was a Titan in the freelance writing business and, if he could not stand so straight in later years, it was from always bending down to give a hand to those of us needing his help.

Perhaps family members know this already, but others may not realize that Murray Teigh Bloom was actually a magician, as well as a fine writer. Some amateur magicians pull quarters from kids' ears--nothing to it! But it took a great magician like Murray to pull 5-figure checks from tight-fisted magazine publishers who delayed and denied payments to freelance writers. One phone call from Murray--who could guess what magic incantations he used?--and soon the check was in the mail.

I...

His full name was Murray Teigh Bloom, but I came to refer to him as St. Murray, for his beatific wisdom and generosity. When I first joined the Society of Magazine Writers in New York in 1973, I and others were struck by his gregarious nature, infectious smile and enthusiasm for writers and writing. He was always a positive force in our meetings at the Algonquin. Soon after, SMW became ASJA and I came home to San Francisco, but would call on St. Murray for advice regarding contractual...

My deep condolences to Ellen and Amy. Our fathers, old friends that they were, passed within three days of each other. An era has ended.
I send you both my sorrow and wish for comfort.