1954

Mailer published his first piece, “The Meaning of ‘Western Defense’” (54.1), in Dissent, and joins its editorial board, remaining on it until the 1980s.

In the spring, completes The Deer Park (55.4).

Marries Adele on 19 April at City Hall in New York.

Visits Susan and Bea in Mexico, June through October, again stopping to visit Gwaltney in Arkansas. Upon their return to New York City in November, they move into a duplex at 320 East 55th Street.

In the same month, with publication less than three months away, Rinehart stops publication of The Deer Park because of six lines describing fellatio. The novel is subsequently rejected by six publishers before being accepted by G.P. Putnam's Sons in early 1955.

On December 1, he begins keeping a journal titled “Lipton’s,” an introspective marijuana journal that runs to 110,000 words.