In the late 1950s, Blatty worked as the public relations director at Loyola University of Los Angeles and as a publicity director at the University of Southern California. He published his first book, "Which Way to Mecca, Jack?" in 1960, a humorous look at both his early life, and his work at the United States Information Agency in Lebanon. In 1961, while still working in public relations, Blatty appeared as a contestant on the Groucho Marx quiz show "You Bet Your Life", winning $10,000, enough money to quit his job and to write full-time. Thereafter, he never held a regular job.