WRITING

Victor Hugo, Anne Rice, and Thomas Hardy were all believers.

9 Authors Who Believed in Ghosts

Some, like Harriet Beecher Stowe and Victor Hugo, believed they had communicated with spirits directly; others, like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Thomas Hardy, had ghostly encounters they couldn’t explain.

When Ernest Hemingway Walked Away From Two Plane Crashes Just Hours Apart

The novelist endured a crash in East Africa. Then his 'rescue' plane went down, too.

Incorporate these words into your conversations this fall.

11 Delightful Words From Washington Irving’s Autumn Stories

Try spicing your fall with a few of these rustic charmers, drawn from the pages of Washington Irving.

12 Retro Back-to-School Products For Kids and Grown-Ups

Whether you’re a nostalgic kid-at-heart or a parent shopping for kids of your own, here are some fun retro back-to-school products from the 1970s, ‘80s, and ‘90s that you can still buy today.

The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius destroyed Herculaneum—but may have preserved a lost library of Epicurus's writings.

The Lost Library of Herculaneum: Unravelling the Scrolls That Mount Vesuvius Almost Destroyed

Historians were struck by the tantalizing possibility that this library might contain missing works of some of history’s greatest writers—works thought to have been lost forever.

10 Brilliant Facts About Braille

Invented by Louis Braille in 1824, the tactile braille system has helped blind people read and write for nearly 200 years.

Add more to your TBR pile this Pride Month with these celebrated fiction and nonfiction works.

15 Incredible Books by Stonewall Book Award Winners

The Stonewall Book Award celebrates LGBTQ+ literature and includes standouts from authors like Alison Bechdel, Rivers Solomon, and Michael Cunningham.

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.

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