Keep This Quiet! My Relationship with Hunter S. Thompson, Milton Klonsky, and Jan Mensaert

“Hunter often said Harrell was the best copy editor he’d ever worked with” (William McKeen, "Outlaw Journalist"). But what was the rest of the story?

"Keep This Quiet" captures the fear and loathing, charm and romance of Hunter in the late Sixties—along with tales of two other underground authors. Included are genuine, funny letters he sent Margaret during and after the publication of his break-out first book, "Hell’s Angels." This is a perfect companion to "Hell's Angels."

Also included are priceless reminiscences/memorabilia of some of Hunter’s oldest friends: William Kennedy, David Pierce, Rosalie Sorrels, Paul Krassner, and editor Jim Silberman—covered in no other account. And letters to Margaret from the outrageous "Dr. Gonzo" (Oscar Acosta). Further featured are “poète maudit” Jan Mensaert and Greenwich Village “poet genius” Milton Klonsky.

Critical Comments:

“Margaret Harrell’s 'Keep This Quiet!' is A Feast for the Gonzo Soul.” . . . It’s all new and a valuable addition to my collection and strangely enough it makes a great companion to McKeen’s 'Outlaw Journalist.' It has been a while since I have learned new stuff about Hunter Thompson. I feel refreshed" - Marty Flynn, http:/hstbooks.org

"Keep your eyes peeled for this new book by Margaret Harrell, the editor who guided Hunter through 'Hell’s Angels.' Hunter often said she was the best editor he ever worked with and they were close friends. I read the manuscript and I think Hunter’s fans will appreciate this view of the man’s life and work" - William McKeen, "Outlaw Journalist" Facebook page

“Beautiful in its directness and its openness” - Chris Van de Velde, Numenon Counseling Institute Director, Ghent, Belgium

“Readers will be privy to never-before-published letters from Hunter Thompson, deepening insight into the turning point in his career and emergence into gonzo” - Bernie Nelson, The MindQuest Review

"While the job at Random House did offer her the opportunity to meet a lot of writers and famous people, it is Hunter that became her secret office romance. The two start a correspondence within letters and long distance phone calls that morphs from a concealed passion into a long-term friendship. 'Keep This Quiet!' is a book about a woman's life and her loves, determination, and discovery.

" . . . It’s amazing to see her thought process and inner-workings, as she tells a story. A great deal of the book is personal letters from Hunter to Margaret, with Margaret's inside emotions written in the theoretical margins. Harrell is an excellent storyteller, in a story that is never about the narrative, but about the real people. Every person in the book is bold and well defined; and I especially liked the notes where Harrell backs up her story with proof" - San Francisco Book Review

“Fascinating and riveting. So there’s a sequel? In progress? What a story!!” - Mary Paul Thomas, Raleigh, NC

A "masterpiece," Ron Whitehead, author of "The Storm Generation," "Tapping My Own Phone," etc.

The author of eight books in the "Love in Transition: Voyage of Ulysses—Letters to Penelope" nonfiction series, including "Toward a Philosophy of Perception" and "Marking Time with Faulkner," Harrell copy edited Hunter Thompson’s first book, "Hell’s Angels," at Random House. HST acknowledged her in "Gonzo Letters" 2. She is also an editor, cloud photographer, and mentor to people trying to maximize their potential. Academically, she graduated from Duke University and Columbia University and attended the C. G. Jung Institute Zurich. She lived a long time in Belgium, years in Morocco, and several years in New York City, and currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.