Biography

As smart and as sharp as Truman was, he was not very interested in school. He was, however, consumed with writing. He would practice writing the way other children would practice football or piano. Truman didn't so much dream about being a writer as he already considered himself one. Instead, he envisioned himself writing for the elite magazine, The New Yorker.

In 1941, while repeating his senior year of high school, Truman got a job as a copy boy for the magazine he idolized. The New Yorker's working environment was quite the opposite of the high society image the magazine portrayed. Truman, a flamboyant, eccentric, and very noticeable boy, stood out like a neon light in a dark alley.

Truman always maintained a high, lispy voice and boyish looks. Combined with his short stature, this led many to assume that he was much younger than he was. His appearance often led to his advantage as many of the important figures that would help his career took on a motherly or fatherly role with him. The fact that Truman was easy to like and often befriended people that were not helped him in many situations and soon Truman was invited to social parties and was the talk of the town.

Truman had joined The New Yorker in hopes that he would learn more about his craft and that they would eventually hire him as a writer. The New Yorker, however, was not interested in hiring a copy boy and the work the Truman was writing was not well suited for the publication. In 1944 he left the magazine, (either resigned or was fired) for offending Robert Frost. Sick with a cold, Truman left in the middle of Frost's reading. Outraged, Frost, knowing that Capote worked for the New Yorker, immediately took the matter up with the magazine.

Leaving the New Yorker was one of the best things to happen to Capote. Soon he began submitting his stories (Miriam, Tree of Night, My Side of the Matter) to more suitable magazines including Mademoiselle and Harper's Bizarre. The immediate acceptance of his work and fame that followed launched Truman into the social and literary world he had been seeking.

His first novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms in 1948 would increase his fame and praise, as well as draw controversy for the stories subject matter: a boy who falls in love with a transvestite. The publication also drew notice for the book's photograph, which portrayed Truman in a subtle, yet obviously provocative, posture.

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