Who said “Writing is not a profession, but a vocation of unhappiness.”?

Verified

Georges Simenon. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceInterviewed in Paris Review, Summer 1955; reprinted in Malcolm Cowley (ed.) Writers at Work (New York: Viking Press, 1959) p. 146.

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“Writing is not a profession, but a vocation of unhappiness.”
— Georges Simenon
VerifiedInterviewed in Paris Review, Summer 1955; reprinted in Malcolm Cowley (ed.) Writers at Work (New York: Viking Press, 1959) p. 146. · evidenceWriters and Writing
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Interviewed in Paris Review, Summer 1955; reprinted in Malcolm Cowley (ed.) Writers at Work (New York: Viking Press, 1959) p. 146..

APA

Simenon, G. (n.d.). Writing is not a profession, but a vocation of unhappiness. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/42994-writing-is-not-a-profession-but-a-vocation/

MLA

Simenon, Georges. “Writing is not a profession, but a vocation of unhappiness.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/42994-writing-is-not-a-profession-but-a-vocation/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Simenon, Georges. “Writing is not a profession, but a vocation of unhappiness.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/42994-writing-is-not-a-profession-but-a-vocation/.

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