In this candid view of the hardships and rewards of the writer's life, Erskine Caldwell recalls his first thirty years as a writer, with special emphasis on his long and hard apprenticeship before he emerged as one of the most widely read and controversial authors of his time.

All the while conveying the enormous amount of drive and dedication with which he pursued his calling, Caldwell tells of his struggles to find his own voice, his travels, and his various jobs, which ranged from backbreaking manual labor to much sought-after positions in radio, film, and journalism.

Including a self-interview, Call It Experience offers a wealth of insights into Caldwell's imagination and his writing habits, as well as his views on critics and reviewers, publishers, and booksellers. It is a source of information and inspiration to aspiring writers.