It's difficult to imagine Outdoor Life magazine without humorist Pat McManus on the magazine's back page. The 75-year-old Spokane writer has written the magazine's “Exit Laughing” column for 28 years and was in Field & Stream 12 years before that. In the process, he has become one of the nation's best known outdoor writers and has sold more than two million books.
He has also become a victim of the economic downturn. Spokane Spokesman-Review writer Rich Landers reported that Outdoor Life has terminated McManus' contract for budget reasons. McManus' final Outdoor Life humor piece will run in April.
Is nothing sacred any more? McManus was one of the main reasons to subscribe to Outdoor Life and it's hard to believe that whatever money the magazine is saving will be worth the cost in cancelled subscriptions.
According to Landers, McManus has no plans to retire. He just finished his third mystery novel, plans to write for other publication, has started an autobiography and is working on a new one-man stage play with local actgor Tim Behrens.
I've met McManus on book tours in Salt Lake City or at outdoor writer conferences over the years and he is one of the most humble, delightful human beings you will ever meet. I can only wish him the best of luck.
It's hard to believe that “Exit Laughing” will soon be gone.
– Tom Wharton