Murray Teigh Bloom

Murray Bloom Obituary

Bloom--Murray Teigh. The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) mourns the passing of founding member and past president Murray Teigh Bloom on February 10 at age 92. A driving force behind the 1948 inception of the professional organization for independent nonfiction writers, Murray supported and mentored hundreds of colleagues over the decades as chair of the Editor-Writer Relations Committee. Serving for many years on the ASJA Board of Directors and Executive Council, he was also chairman of the ASJA Charitable Trust, successfully steering its Writers Emergency Assistance Fund (WEAF) for writers in dire straits. Memorial contributions to WEAF (www.weaf.org) may be made in his name. Our deepest condolences to his loved ones; he will be greatly missed.

--ASJA Board of Directors

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times from Mar. 2 to Mar. 3, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Murray Bloom

14 Entries

fred schwan

February 13, 2017

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 having written it.

Beryl Benderly

May 4, 2009

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 well, but I feel fortunate to have known him at all.

Sharon Elaine Thompson

March 9, 2009

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.

Robin Warshaw

March 9, 2009

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.

Frank Bianco

March 7, 2009

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

Stephen Morrill

March 5, 2009

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.

Toni Goldfarb

March 4, 2009

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 know this is true, because years ago, as a new-to-the-trade freelance writer, I was stone-walled by a women's magazine that fired the editor who had assigned and accepted my first major article. The new editor "killed" the article, offered only a miserly partial payment, and blocked all my calls and letters. As he did for many writers over the years, Murray offered me a sympathetic ear, immediately called the magazine's editor-in-chief, and--abracadabra!--a nice check was on its way. Thanks to Murray's encouragement, I soon got the article accepted and published by a higher-paying major magazine.

"St. Murray," "Magician Murray," will be fondly remembered for his wisdom and generosity. My condolences to the entire family.

George Devine

March 4, 2009

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 issues; he was always at the ready with a warm welcome and sage counsel, and I could hear his smile over the phone. Those of us who have lived a less than perfect life, and might worry about eventual judgment, now have a great advocate in the world to come

Peggy Bendiner Margoshes

March 3, 2009

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.

Bonnie Remsberg

March 3, 2009

Best wishes to Amy and Ellen. We were all privileged to share your beautiful parents.
Bonnie Remsberg

Shirley Bakal

March 3, 2009

My sincere condolences to the family of Murray Bloom, a long time friend of my husband Carl Bakal, who passed away in 2004. He so enjoyed having lunch with Murray. I know he will be missed.

Russell Wild

March 3, 2009

I have heard only wonderful things about Murray Teigh Bloom. I regret not having known him.

Russell Wild
President, American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA)

Sally Olds

March 3, 2009

Mark & I send sympathy to Murray's family. He was one of the first people I met at SMW, and always expressed interest in my career & my family. And I loved Dellie. Sally Wendkos Olds

March 3, 2009

My condolances to Amy and his family.

Andy Greenberg
Former neighbor

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results