Pick Your Poison
Burroughs was actually one of the earliest writers to start his own corporation in 1923, and by 1931 he launched his own imprint, published his own books, and landed himself film and radio deals. But his wealth would slowly dwindle down as his passion for horses, fast cars, cocktails, and women left the newly famous author continually poor.
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His home wasn’t his safe place, either. There was a time when he wrote four books in a span of a few years, struggling to support his three kids and alcoholic ex-wife after their 1934 divorce. Then there was his daughter’s failure of actor and husband, Jim Pierce, Burrough’s trusted aide, Ralph Rothmund, and his high-living second wife and her own two children. The stress was high, and the struggle was real.