Between 1974 and 1981 Ken Kesey self-published six issues of a literary magazine called Spit in the Ocean. After the revolutionary novelist's death in the fall of 2001, one of his closest friends, acclaimed writer Ed McClanahan, decided to carry out Kesey's vision and put together a final issue of Spit as a tribute to Kesey's genius and imperturbable spirit. Featuring contributions from cultural luminaries-including Robert Stone, Paul Krassner, Wendell Berry, Bill Walton, and Grateful Dead lyricists Robert Hunter and John Perry Barlow-as well as "regular folk," and several pieces by Kesey himself, Spit in the Ocean #7 is a loving and fitting homage to the gigantic and unique spirit of the merriest of the Merry Pranksters.

Spit in the OceanWavy Gravy - Haiku for Kesey Gus Van Sant - Shazam! (Foreword) Ed McClanahan - R.I.P., Spit in the Ocean, 1973-2003 (Introduction) Michael Strelow - All That Hoo-Ha Ken Kesey - A Letter to Jim Wolpman Paul Krassner - Kesey's Last Prank Patrice Mackey - It's the Kids Douglas Brinkley - Majic Bus Meets Further II Walt Curtis - The Way It Is Lewis Nordan, from an Interview with Jeremy L. C. Jones - "Here Came a White Cadillac!" Ken Kesey - Karma (and Other Sermons) George Walker - Bus Story #1: Definitely the Bus Bill Walton - The Point Man Ken Babbs - The Diverticulum Paul Zarzyski - Two Poems Lee Quarnstrom - A State of Grace Ken Kesey - Departures: Three Heavies Take Their Leave Wendell Berry - Kentucky River Junction: A Letter and a Poem Chloe Scott - Bus Story #2: NO Furthur Hunter S. Thompson - Walking with the King Glen Love - The Words on the Page Ken Babbs - The Tooth Pat Monaghan - The Character: McMurphy Goes to High School... and Gets an A Ken Kesey, from an Interview with Mike Finoia - "Wrong Way! Go Back!" Happy (with a little help from Genie Murphy) - I Am Kesey's Dog Larry McMurtry - Bus Story #3: Stark Gets Off the Bus Ken Babbs - The Cuff Links Vic Lovell - Elegy for Ken Sterling Lord - Last Rites Tom Wolfe - "In the Pudding" Anonymous, from an Interview with Rick Dodgson - Bus Story #4: "Can I Go with You?" Anonymous Gets on a Bus John Daniel - The Prankster Moves On Ken Kesey - Earthshoes John Perry Barlow - Eulogy for Ken James Baker Hall - Ken Rosalie Sorrels - Last Go Round: A Song for Ken Kesey Eileen Babbs - The White Tent Jim Dodge - A Ceremony of Consolation Ken Kesey and Gurney Norman - A Correspondence Candace Lambrecht - Bus Story #5: Further Goes to Sea Ed McClanahan - The Day the Lampshades Breathed Kathryn Lawder - "Now THAT'S Ken Kesey!" Robert Stone - The Boys Octet David Stanford - Working with Kesey Ken Babbs - Hornswoggled Ken Kesey - Getting Better: A Radio Interview Conducted by Sharon Wood, with John Nance and Paul Pintarich John Nance - An Unheard Melody (Photo Essay) Robert Hunter - Lament for Kesey Brer Kesey's Words to the Wise