I originally planned to elucidate the history of pamphleteering for you here and explain, with the help of Paul Wells, how I think it resembles Substacking. The fact, for example, that pamphlets were among the first things that came off the printing press in the 1450s; that Martin Luther was an early, big-time pamphleteer; that flippant, lively pamphlet writing effectively satirized the flagrantly decadent moral behavior practiced at the French Court during the 18th century, and that Blaise Pascal raised the art of the pamphlet to the level of literature; that pamphlets were wielded as lethal weapons in17th Century England, and that political parties employed the likes of Addison, Steele and Swift to thrust their messages out; that Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense caused the American “Revvie;” and that the Federalist Papers were cribbed from pamphlets written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison.
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, these Federalist Papers in fact mark the end of the era of the political pamphlet. From there on in, ‘political dialogue was largely carried on in newspapers, periodicals and books.’ And this, not unfortunately at the start of the pamphleteering craze, is where Paul Wells takes over.
Paul is a leading Canadian political journalist and author. We met at his offices in Ottawa to talk about his impressive career, and his craft writing about politics for newspapers, magazines, books, and now Substack. Topics covered include observing and interviewing politicians; reading and remembering history; putting events into context; pre-revolutionary Paris; pedagogical magazine writing; helping people; recited formulas, thrown slogans, and knowing you’re being lied to; the difficulty politicians experience making a difference; discussing issues in their full complexities; “the wall of words,” “the significant trifle,” including yourself and analysis in your narratives; paying for Substack subscriptions because you want to comment; filling the ‘weekend supplement’ niche; understanding each other as neighbours; and the secret to a successful marriage.
The pamphleteering paraphernalia will just have to wait. Perhaps it’ll come up during a conversation with Margaret Atwood, scheduled for later this Fall, when we’ll talk about her new book Paper Boat; she is, after all, really good on history, and other ancient material.
Paul Wells on Writing Politics for Newspapers, Magazines, Books & Substack