WRITING

The World's Work, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

7 Fascinating Facts About F. Scott Fitzgerald

Today, F. Scott Fitzgerald is considered one of the most astute American novelists of the 20th century. But his best-known work, 'The Great Gatsby,' wasn't a bestseller.

10 Things You Might Not Know About Alice Walker

From her groundbreaking essays to Pulitzer Prize-winning novel 'The Color Purple,' Alice Walker's work explores Black American experiences.

British Library, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

7 Epic Facts About The Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer—known as the "father of English literature"—has written many texts, but none loom as large as 'The Canterbury Tales.'

Kerouacs First Draft Of Seminal Book "On The Road" Displayed

10 Fascinating Facts About Jack Kerouac

Many of Jack Kerouac's novels drew details from his own life. Here's what you need to know about the author of 'On the Road.'

How Lolita Author Vladimir Nabokov Helped Ruth Bader Ginsburg Find Her Voice

Before Vladimir Nabokov gained fame for ‘Lolita,’ he helped hone the writing skills of a future Supreme Court icon.

Lily James as Mrs de Winter and Armie Hammer as Maxim de Winter in Rebecca (2020).

Remembering Rebecca: 11 Facts About Daphne du Maurier's Enduring Novel

Mention Daphne du Maurier's 'Rebecca' to any bibliophile and they will no doubt share the many reasons why the novel has charmed and captivated so many generations of readers.

We have a difficult time catching our own typing mistakes.

The Reason It's So Hard to Spot Your Own Typos

Errors in writing aren't easy to detect when you're proofreading your own work. The problem is your brain.

A baby Hemingway tottered through the halls of this idyllic edifice.

The Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum in Illinois Might Shut Down Forever—Here’s How to Help Save It

The museum is a tribute to Ernest Hemingway’s legacy in Oak Park, Illinois, and a reflection of the salon culture of his era.

Read Roald Dahl’s Heartbreaking 1986 Letter About the Importance of Vaccinations

Two of Roald Dahl’s books are dedicated to his daughter, Olivia, who died from measles complications in 1962.

A photograph of Alexandre Dumas by Nadar, circa 1855.

Google Pays Tribute to Alexandre Dumas’s The Count of Monte Cristo With Doodle

Alexandre Dumas’s action-packed adventure novel is definitely a classic, but the inspiration behind it isn’t very well-known.

The cover of the English edition of the book.

Zabiba and the King: The 2000 Romance Novel ... Written by Saddam Hussein

It’s literally about a mighty king’s love affair with a commoner, but it’s figuratively about Operation Desert Storm.

Watch James Baldwin Discuss Racism on The Dick Cavett Show in 1969

“Perhaps I don’t want to become like Ronald Reagan or like the president of General Motors... Perhaps I don’t want what you think I want.”

The last lines from The Great Gatsby are also on F. Scott Fitzgerald's gravestone.

The Last Lines From 19 Popular Books

Celebrate National Book Lovers Day with the last lines from ‘The Great Gatsby,’ ‘Little Women,’ and 17 other classic novels.

What does the Crunchwrap Supreme have to do with queer politics? A lot, actually.

Taco Bell Quarterly, a Taco Bell-Themed Literary Journal, Exists—And You Can Read It Online

While you’re waiting for 'Taco Bell Quarterly' Volume 3 to drop, catch up on works like “Ode to Nacho Fries” and “Imagining Our Taco Bell Wedding” in previous issues.

Gloria Steinem is the face of feminism and the reason it's cool to put your glasses on over your hair.

15 Trailblazing Facts About Gloria Steinem

Gloria Steinem is so much more than the world’s most famous feminist—she’s also Christian Bale’s stepmother.

Louisa May Alcott in 1870, when she was nearly Aunt Nellie's age.

'Aunt Nellie’s Diary,' An Unfinished Story by Louisa May Alcott, Is Being Published for the First Time

‘Little Women’ author Louisa May Alcott penned the long-lost story when she was just 17 years old, but we’ll never know how it ends.

Abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison devoted his life to opposing slavery.

The Boston Public Library Needs Help Transcribing Anti-Slavery Letters

The letters shed light on how leading abolitionists were protesting slavery during the Civil War era.

When it came to books, Albert Einstein subscribed to the "oldie but goodie" mentality. He wasn't the only one.

7 Pieces of Reading Advice From History’s Greatest Minds

These reading quotes from Albert Einstein, Theodore Roosevelt, and more might help you choose your next great read.

Universal Pictures, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

Common Misconceptions About Famous Books and Authors

In this episode of 'Misconceptions,' we explore the plot holes, incorrect quotes, and other mistaken beliefs that surround beloved books and writers.

How to Pitch a Story to Mental Floss

So, you’d like to write for Mental Floss? We've assembled a handful of helpful tips to help you craft the best pitch possible.

Leo Tolstoy

Find out more about Leo Tolstoy, the author behind classics like 'War and Peace' and 'Anna Karenina.'

Ernest Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley, on their wedding day in September 1921.

When Ernest Hemingway Spent the Summer of 1926 Quarantined With His Wife and His Mistress

Hadley Hemingway thought it would be a “swell joke” if the three of them were cooped up together. A few months later, she was divorced.

George R.R. Martin Says He's 'Writing Every Day' In Self-Isolation, Teasing The Winds of Winter Release

George R.R. Martin, the man behind 'Game of Thrones,' is using his self-quarantine to work on the long-awaited next book in his 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series.

J.K. Rowling’s handwritten and illustrated Harry Potter book, featuring content from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

A Miniature Harry Potter Manuscript, Handwritten by J.K. Rowling, Could Sell for More Than $180,000 At Auction

J.K. Rowling wrote and illustrated the one-of-a-kind, pocket-sized Harry Potter book for a charity auction in 2004.

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