HAPPY NATIONAL AUTHOR’S DAY!

On November 1 we celebrate authors!

An author is someone who writes.  Authors create novels, poems, graphic novels, stories, articles, essays, textbooks, blogs, websites, social media, and more.  Authors teach, entertain, and move us with words.

Authors have been telling stories for thousands of years.  Stories tell history.  Stories tell geography.  Stories tell genealogy.

Authors construct fantastical worlds and landscapes that provide insight into our own realities.

Enheduanna, regarded as the world’s first known author, was an Akkadian poet who lived from 2285 to 2250 BCE.  She was the daughter of Sargon of Akkad and served as the high priestess of the temple in Ur.

Her literary innovations influenced the hymns and prayers of later cultures, including the Hebrews and early Christians.  Enheduanna’s poetic works influenced people beyond her lifetime, continuing to resonate today.

The world’s oldest written text is The Kish Tablet, which dates back to 3,500 BCE and was discovered in the ancient Sumerian city of Kish, in present-day Iraq. The tablet features pictographic writing, a precursor to the cuneiform script.

The oldest known fictional story/poem in the world is the Epic of Gilgamesh, a mythic poem that dates back to the years 3000 to 2001 BCE.

The oldest known printed book is the Diamond Sutra, a Buddhist text dating back to 868 CE.

Audio books and podcasts provide authors with a listening platform.  Many authors have given public recitations of their works.

Homer recited his poems aloud to whoever would listen.  His followers committed his words to paper.  In the 8th Century B.C., Homer’s The Odyssey was published for the first time.

Known for his dramatic readings, Charles Dickens toured extensively, performing excerpts from his novels like A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist.

T.S. Eliot, the poet of The Waste Land and Four Quartets, often read his poetry aloud, captivating audiences with his distinct voice and delivery.

Author and poet Maya Angelou frequently gave public readings of her works, including her famous autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

A key figure in the Beat Generation, Allen Ginsberg’s legendary readings of his poem Howl drew large crowds.

Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid’s Tale, has given numerous readings and talks, sharing her insights and engaging with her readers.

Celebrate the day by reading a favorite book, reading a new book, reading a classic book, or buying a book at your local bookstore.

Your authors enjoy writing and hope you enjoy their writing as well.

TRIVIA

November 1, 1604 - The first known performance of Shakespeare’s tragedy, Othello, occurred at Whitehall Palace in London.

November 1, 1871 - Stephen Crane, author of the classic The Red Badge of Courage, was born.

November 1, 1897 - The first building of the Library of Congress opened to the public.  Today, the library catalogs more than 170 million items.

November 1, 1957 - Lyle Lovett, American singer-songwriter/actor/record producer, was born.

November 1, 2024 – Terry Willey and Carol Baker did a reading from their book, Time Travel for Fun and Prophet, for their dogs.  The dogs appeared to enjoy it, although that could just be the fact that they were getting hugs and attention at the time.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Quiet people have the loudest minds.” – Stephen King