Editing Sergiusz Piasecki (section)

===Writing in prison===

Piasecki became a writer by chance. Later, he confessed that many prisoners in Wronki would write, so he decided to emulate them. As his knowledge of standard Polish was poor, he would learn from a school book of Polish grammar. Some time in either 1935 or 1936, his prison prose came to the attention of a famous novelist and journalist, [[Melchior Wańkowicz]], who toured Polish prisons as a reporter. After reading a manuscript of ''{{lang|pl|Kochanek Wielkiej Niedzwiedzicy}}'', Wańkowicz encouraged Piasecki to continue his writing efforts and helped him to publish the book. The publication and resulting popularity of the book became the catalyst for getting Piasecki out of prison. The book was published while Piasecki was still in prison, and its copy was delivered to his cell. The book sold out within a month, it was the third most popular publication of interwar Poland.

Due to popularity of the book, Wańkowicz's efforts to release Piasecki were supported by other writers and lawyers. Finally, in 1937 president [[Ignacy Mościcki]] pardoned him. The day of his release was sensational, crowds of journalists were waiting at a gate, and Piasecki himself was shocked at technical novelties, such as radio, which had become common since 1926. In late 1937 and early 1938, Piasecki went to [[Otwock]] and [[Zakopane]], to recuperate. Among others, he met [[Witkacy]], who painted his portrait. Being a celebrity, he avoided meeting with numerous readers, neither did he like signing of books.
[[File:Portrait_of_Sergiusz_Piasecki_by_Witkacy_no1.jpg|thumb|Portrait of Sergiusz Piasecki by Witkacy]]