WRITING

There's a multitude of pencil types out there.

Are There No. 1 Pencils?

Almost every syllabus, teacher, and standardized test requires a No. 2 pencil. Are there other choices out there?

8 TV Shows That Were Creatively Altered by a Writers Strike

Writers strikes have a major impact on TV and film production, as the most recent strike—which began on May 2, 2023—has made clear.

Agatha Christie's work is under fresh scrutiny.

Agatha, Edited: Mystery Author Agatha Christie's Work Is Being Reworked to Remove Objectionable Content

Some passages from Agatha Christie's library are being eliminated in an effort to address concerns over alleged xenophobia and racist descriptions.

These award-winning books are worth adding to your reading list.

13 Must-Read Books by Women’s Prize for Fiction Winners

Here are some of the most unforgettable books to earn the Women’s Prize for Fiction from celebrated authors like Zadie Smith, Téa Obreht, and others.

When Joyce Carol Oates Tried—and Failed—to Fool the World As 'Rosamond Smith'

The celebrated author decided she wanted to adopt a new writing identity for a mystery novel. It didn't turn out well.

Amelia Bloomer popularized the pants that would come to bear her name—but she didn't invent them.

9 Fascinating Facts About Amelia Bloomer

Amelia Bloomer’s impact on the women’s rights movement went much further than inspiring a fashion revolution.

12 Fascinating Facts About Zelda Fitzgerald

The '80s video game 'Legend of Zelda' was definitely named after "America's first flapper." Learn more incredible facts about Zelda Fitzgerald here.

Hughes was often called "The People's Poet."

8 Fascinating Facts About Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes was a poet, novelist, playwright, and reporter who helped define the Harlem Renaissance. Find out more about his life and work.

Zora Neale Hurston in a portrait by Carl Van Vechten.

10 Fascinating Facts About Zora Neale Hurston

Writer and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston’s literary legacy is a class apart. Here are some facts you might not have known about the author of “Their Eyes Were Watching God.”

‘Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom’ Features Hundreds of the Author’s Most Iconic Quotes

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen book lovers will appreciate this collection of quotes.

Jean Seberg holds a copy of J.D. Salinger's 'The Catcher in the Rye.'

10 Fascinating Facts About J.D. Salinger

Acclaimed novelist J.D. Salinger once gave an interview for a high school newspaper, and also drank his own pee, but probably not at the same time.

14 Fascinating Facts About Albert Camus's 'The Stranger'

Albert Camus’s 1942 masterpiece 'The Stranger' has sold more than 6 million copies, but caused trouble for translators.

Swimming, Scotch, and Jazz: Kurt Vonnegut’s Daily Routine During His Teaching Stint at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop

“I numb my twanging intellect with several belts of Scotch and water.” —Kurt Vonnegut during his Iowa Writers’ Workshop era.

You just know which one Goldilocks is going for.

Em Dash vs. En Dash vs. Hyphen: What’s the Difference?

Deciding when to use an em dash instead of some other punctuation mark is largely up to you—except in situations that call for an en dash or hyphen.

Go ahead and persuade yourself that you need this.

This Special Edition of Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion’ Includes Handwritten Letters and More

Anne Elliot got to keep Captain Wentworth’s letter forever. Now you can too with this deluxe edition of Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion.'

Writers and reality TV: a match made in heaven?

A New Reality Show Is Looking to Find America’s Next Great Author

The list of best books of the 21st century is still being written. Could yours be on it?

The singular 'they' is far from a recent development.

The 600-Year History of the Singular 'They'

The singular form of 'they' has been endorsed by writers like Jane Austen and William Shakespeare.

'To Kill A Mockingbird' author Harper Lee smiles before receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2007.

8 Surprising Facts About Harper Lee

Before winning the Pulitzer Prize for her 1960 novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' Harper Lee worked as an airline ticket agent.

Books Are Magic, Emma Straub's beloved shop in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.

16 Must-Visit Indie Bookstores Owned by Writers

Judy Blume, Louise Erdrich, and many other authors also have ‘independent bookstore owner’ on their résumés.

11 Things You Should Know About Audre Lorde

Audre Lorde’s poems, speeches, and books helped write the future of feminism. Here are some facts about the woman behind the work.

How do I tell if thee is a sonnet? Let me count the lines.

Poem vs. Sonnet: What’s the Difference?

Plenty of poems are love poems. Why aren’t all of them considered sonnets? In short, rhyme scheme, length, and structure.

Martin Luther King, Jr. addresses a meeting in Chicago, Illinois, on May 27, 1966.

The Profound Effect Henry David Thoreau Had on Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s approach to resisting injustice came straight from the playbook of 19th-century writer Henry David Thoreau.

Maya Angelou at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in 2010.

Maya Angelou Is Now the First Black Woman to Appear on a U.S. Quarter

The U.S. Mint has officially shipped its Maya Angelou quarters—earning the ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’ author another “first” to her name.

Unclear whether this is a memoir or an autobiography.

What’s the Difference Between a Memoir and an Autobiography?

What’s an autobiography? The story of someone’s life as told by them—which isn’t exactly the same thing as a memoir.