Ink from the Pen

A Prison Memoir

By: Mark Olmsted

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

Ink from the Pen is the story of an educated, HIV+ gay man whose decades-long walk on the wild side came crashing down in 2004, when he found himself facing nine months in prison for dealing the crystal meth he’d become addicted to during the worst of the AIDS epidemic. An accomplished writer, Olmsted soon discovered his love of words was precisely what would get him through the experience. With a keen eye for the finely-observed detail and an unerring capacity to deftly convey the poignancy and absurdities of incarceration, Mark learned that creativity is one of the most powerful survival tools there is.

©2017 Mark Olmsteed (P)2022 Mark Olmsted

Peering behind the bars

In the foreword to his prison memoir “Ink from the Pen,” Mark Olmsted states frankly that he saw his fellow inmates as actors, whose actions he observed as “little plays.” Recording what he saw in letters to his sister, the letters became a blog and then this fascinating account of life in various prisons, as seen through the eyes of a highly educated, articulate, intelligent white man from what many would see as an enviable background. Interwoven with prison escapades of cons with nicknames like Undertaker, Extra, Whisper, and Thumper, are memories of childhood summers in France with his family, little league games in suburban Virginia, all the security of a loving, middle-class white family.

So how did Olmsted end up in prison for drug dealing, after being denied bail (this wasn’t his first arrest). He lets us know up front that he’s not going to tell us - not in this book. His intention, and achievement, is to give a picture of prison life, which, for many, is dangerous and lonely. While Olmsted receives buckets of mail, many men get none at all. They have been forgotten by everyone they knew or loved. The book is a way of remembering them.

The prose is both straightforward and lyrical. The reading by Michael Crouch is superb - direct, sympathetic without sentimentality, all “characters” beautifully acted. It’s a compelling performance, one to savor over a days, a chapter or two at a time.

Exquisitely written and narrated

I read Ink from the Pen when it was first released. In full disclosure I've known the author for several
decades and have always been a huge fan of his writing. We worked together on a film project and were
even roommates once upon a time. What I didn't know was that he was living a double life and that I like
anyone who knew him was astounded upon hearing the reason for his arrest and imprisonment.

Mark Olmsted was/is one of the most intelligent, keenly observant, compassionate, generous and
unequivocally hilarious humanitarians I've ever met. That he landed in prison still prompts a cartoon
shake of the head but listening to his story--expertly and beautifully narrated by Michael Crouch--
reminds me of how complex, vulnerable and mercurial the human spirit is and how limiting it is to
identify someone as merely the sum of the worst event in their lives.

If you still have a beach vacation on the books, I cannot recommend this book enough.
Thank you Mark Olmsted for having the courage to tell this story, the wisdom to remain faithful to the
truth and the compassion to shine a light on those who may never see the light of day outside of prison
walls.

Like a great novel but nonfiction.

This book is set in prison, a world of disturbances where everything is taken away and people are divvied up by the lowest common denominator. But unlike other prison memoirs Mark's book jumps right over all the tired tropes of prison. The writing is impeccable, like a great novel but nonfiction. This book expertly takes you into the psyche of (seemingly) outwardly detestable characters, making you empathize with people you'd otherwise wouldn't consider. It's exactly the kind of humanism we need right now. You can’t help but read too fast because the story ebbs and flows so smoothly but the words are beautiful and worth savoring.

Brought the book to life

I had read INK FROM THE PEN last year and enjoyed the read. Listening to the audio version brought the book to life and gave me a whole new perspective on the book. For me it made many aspects of the book memorable. I especially will remember a poem called HERE. A sad statement on so many marginalized people. I often laughed out loud and at times brought tears to my eyes. If you are looking for a great story of survival and redemption this is a great book to listen to.

Coming of age prison memoir? Trust me, just read!

Wow. Just wow. I would have never picked up this book without a friend's passionate recommendation. My escapist choices rarely go to "a prison memoir" but I do have a self imposed rule to read things outside my norm with the hope of learning the unexpected. There but for the grace of... whatever... is the story of choices, consequences, wit, wisdom, love, and humor. The power of creativity in so many incarnations. What defines our common core of humanity. What always touches me in the stories I read or movies I watch, is witnessing personal growth and self realization, and always best when served up in a dish of kindness. The language in this story was beautiful...seriously, one does not expect words like affable or espadrilles, nor references to Moonstruck or All About Eve, to pop up in a prison story.
The author could be any one of my dearest friends- who I would love to include in my dinner gatherings. There are so many stories walking among us. This is a perfect example of why I'm fed up with the glut of stories of "other worlds" when there is so much to delve into under our noses. And yes, the writing was beautiful. I often paused to note the turn of phrase.

Loss and beauty

Mark Olmstead writes about his experience in prison as a gay man, but the story is so much more than that basic premise. It’s a reflective recapturing of his past, what drove him to ruin and almost death, and in the end, it’s about the love of his family. Prison saved his life and changed the entire direction of his path. The book is clever in a fun, insider-ish manner…”In fact I got a big kick out of knowing that I am almost certainly the only person in the history of the California prison system to be reading Talk Of The Town in the New Yorker, while chowing down on unpardoned turkey tacos.”
I loved the book, finished it in only three sittings. Bittersweet at times and always a unique perspective as part of a targeted population in a very scary place, and how Mark dealt with his circumstances with humor, fast thinking, “reading the room/cell,” and making the absolute best of a brutal situation.
Highly recommended read.

Stories of prison, family and redemption

“…the redemptive power of creativity” the author delicately states in”Ink From a Pen”. As much a seductive memoir of gritty incarceration as it is of family, heart and yes indeed, redemption.

Completely satisfying. And surprisingly beautiful.

I joined Audible to listen to this book. My digital library of audiobooks is enormous, pushing 1000, which might qualify me as a credible witness. Olmstead’s story would have riveted me in any medium, but I have never heard a more perfect match of narrator to book since the late Patrick Tull enacted Patrick O’Brian. I expected good; I did not expect the excellence I found in Audible’s Ink From the Pen. I’ll be gifting both the audio and paperback versions to the most discerning readers I know.

Excellent Story & match of Narrator & Author

Finished this book on audible a few days ago. Michael Crouch is the perfect narrator for Mr Olmsted’s writing. It is so authentic to his writing voice and he conveys the author’s sentiments perfectly. Such an excellent book. So glad I could listen!