R.I.P. Short Story Writer Thom Jones

Short story writer Thom Jones passed away from complications of diabetes last Friday. He published three books of the most remarkable stories you will ever read. If Hemingway and Bukowski had a baby -- it was Thom Jones.

He was a huge influence on me. His stories are brutally honest masterworks about the many hardships of life. But don't get me wrong, for they are also beautiful stories - beautiful stories about real humans fighting like the boxers, warriors, soldiers they really are.

Thank you Thom Jones for every word you wrote. I hope you're sparring with Hem right now in the great boxing ring in the sky.