7 Author Shoutouts | Authors We Love To Recommend

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This Week’s 7 Author Shoutouts

D.H. Lawrence

D.H. Lawrence, the renowned writer of Women in Love, Sons and Lovers, and Lady Chatterly’s Lover, deserves an Author Shoutout. Born in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom, Lawrence had a father who worked as a miner and a mother who, despite being a schoolteacher, had to take up factory work to support the family. This upbringing exposed Lawrence to the strain between his parents, which influenced his distaste for modernism and industrialization – a recurring motif in his literary creations.

He passed away in Vence, France in 1930 at the age of 44, following a life that included alleged same-sex partnerships, elopement with his university professor’s spouse, a voluntary period of living abroad, and extensive global journeys.

Elizabeth and Robert

Romance receives a special recognition with a double Author Shoutout! Back in 1846, poet Elizabeth Barrett chose to elope with poet Robert Browning. In a letter written to her the previous year, Browning expressed his deep affection for her verses. Aware of her father’s disapproval (which was confirmed when he disinherited her upon discovering their marriage), Elizabeth and Robert kept their courtship and marriage a secret. However, their commitment to each other endured until Elizabeth’s passing in 1861.

She passed away while held in the embrace of her spouse, wearing a smile upon her countenance; allegedly, her final utterance was Beautiful. He, on the other hand, departed 28 years thereafter, without ever entering into another marriage.

Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl, the author from Cardiff, Wales, deserves an Author Shoutout for his remarkable contributions. He gained fame primarily for his whimsical and clever children’s stories, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, The BFG, and Matilda. Additionally, Dahl ventured into poetry, screenwriting, and even crafted macabre adult short tales, which earned him three Edgar Awards.

He received the Life Achievement World Fantasy Award in 1983. He passed away at the age of 74 in 1990.

Geraldine Brooks

Geraldine Brooks, the recipient of the 2006 Pulitzer Prize in fiction for her book March, deserves an Author Shoutout. Her novels People of the Book, Caleb’s Crossing, and The Secret Chord have all achieved the status of New York Times Bestsellers. Moreover, her debut novel Year of Wonders has garnered international acclaim, being translated into over 25 languages and currently being considered for a limited series by Olivia Coleman’s production company.

She has also authored the nonfiction books Nine Parts of Desire, Foreign Correspondence, and The Idea of Home.

Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie, the renowned mystery writer born in Torquay, Devon, England, deserves a mysterious Author Shoutout. With over 4 billion copies sold, she is the third bestselling novelist, surpassed only by Shakespeare and the Bible. Her famous characters, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, have captured the imaginations of readers worldwide. Additionally, Christie holds the record for The Mousetrap, the longest running stage play in history, running continuously in London’s West End since 1952, totaling over 25,000 performances.

Dame Agatha Christie was granted her title in 1971. However, her health began to decline soon after, and she passed away at the age of 85 in 1976 due to natural causes. There is current speculation about the possibility of her having suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.

James Alan McPherson

An Author Shoutout to James Alan McPherson, a native of Savannah, Georgia, born in 1943. His parents worked as an electrician and a maid. However, it was his encounter with the segregated section of the public library, known as the colored branch, that had a profound impact on his life. Through reading books, McPherson discovered the transformative power of words, which conveyed hidden significance, transported him to different realms, and unveiled the shared experiences of human suffering.

In 1977, he achieved a significant milestone as the inaugural African-American writer to be honored with the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, specifically for his collection of stories titled Elbow Room. His remarkable contributions to the literary world also led him to receive a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship and be among the pioneering recipients of the MacArthur genius grant. Tragically, at the age of 72, he passed away in 2016 due to complications arising from pneumonia.

Cheryl Strayed

Cheryl Strayed, a native of Spangler, Pennsylvania, deserves an Author Shoutout. With four books to her name, it was her memoir in 2023, titled Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, that gained her widespread attention. This memoir chronicles her personal hardships and her remarkable journey of hiking 1,100 miles from the Mohave Desert to the Oregon-Washington state line. Wild was selected as Oprah Winfrey’s inaugural book club pick and was later adapted into a successful film in 2014, titled Wild, starring Reese Witherspoon.

Hulu launched a comedy drama miniseries in 2023, adapting Stayed’s self-help book called Tiny Beautiful Things. Strayed served as both a writer and executive producer for the series. Presently, Stayed celebrates her 55th birthday.

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