7 Author Shoutouts - Authors We Love To Recommend

Here are 7 Author Shoutouts for this week. Find your favorite author or discover an author you have not read yet.

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This Week’s Author Shoutouts

Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde, born in Dublin, Ireland, deserves an Author Shoutout as an esteemed figure. While his talent as a writer cannot be overlooked (consider his remarkable works such as The Picture of Dorian Gray, his only novel, and the immensely popular play, The Importance of Being Earnest), Wilde was equally known for his captivating social persona. His sharp wit, extravagant attire, and captivating conversations made him a prominent figure. However, in 1895, a dispute erupted between Wilde and the father of his male companion, leading to his imprisonment for two years. This unfortunate event not only adversely affected his physical and financial well-being but also took a toll on his spirit.

He passed away at the age of merely 46 due to cerebral meningitis, leaving behind no wealth despite his dashing and glamorous allure. The unfortunate incident occurred in the year 1900.

Arthur Miller

Playwright Arthur Miller, born in New York City, deserves an Author Shoutout. He is renowned for his works such as Death of a Salesman, The Crucible, All My Sons, and other notable contributions to American theater. Additionally, Miller was involved in the anti-Communist blacklisting that affected Hollywood during the 1950s. He was married to Marilyn Monroe from 1956 to 1961 and penned the 1961 screenplay of The Misfits, which marked the last on-screen appearances for both Monroe and Clark Gable.

He is the actor Daniel Day-Lewis’ father-in-law. Having won numerous Tony and Emmy Awards, as well as a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, he passed away in 2005 at the age of 89.

Terry McMillan

An Author Shoutout to Terry McMillan, who was born in Port Huron, Michigan, and is the eldest of five siblings. Growing up in a working-class, single-parent household, she discovered her passion for words during her teenage years while employed at the local library. Today, her literary works, often adapted into films, are renowned for their portrayal of resilient and empowered African American women.

A few of her notable books include Waiting to Exhale, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, A Day Late and a Dollar Short, and Getting to Happy.

Philip Pullman

An Author Shoutout to Philip Pullman, born in Norwich, Norfolk, England. He has written many notable works, with the His Dark Materials trilogy, including The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass, being particularly popular. At the age of 7, he experienced the loss of his Air Force pilot father. As he grew older, he developed an interest in comic books, finding solace in the world of superheroes, as he envisioned his father to have been. Additionally, Milton’s Paradise Lost had a profound impact on him, shaping his literary journey significantly.

Since 1970, he has engaged in teaching and writing. In 2004, he received a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), took up the presidency of the esteemed Society of Authors in 2013, and was knighted in 2019.

Viggo Mortensen

We want to give an Author Shoutout to Viggo Mortensen, the actor born in New York City. While we could emphasize the literary aspect by mentioning that he is a published poet (and that he created Perceval Press in 2002 to publish his own works as well as those of lesser-known artists and authors), our main purpose is to give him some recognition for his poetry.

He assumed various remarkable characters, including the impromptu portrayal of Aragorn in Peter Jackson’s cinematic interpretation of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. While filming, he encountered a chipped tooth and attempted to use superglue to reattach it in order to continue shooting. He skillfully dodged a real dagger in a memorable fight sequence, advocated for Aragorn to have more Elvish dialogue in the movies, and formed such a strong bond with the two horses he rode that he decided to adopt them.

Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula K. Le Guin, born in Berkeley, California, deserves a special Author Shoutout. With numerous accolades like the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and World Fantasy Awards, she has established herself as one of the most renowned and influential fantasy writers ever. Notably, her works have had a profound impact on fellow authors, including Jo Walton, Salmon Rushdie, Iain Brooks, David Mitchell, and Neil Gaiman.

In recognition of her exceptional contributions to fantasy writing, she was honored as one of the esteemed Gandalf Grand Masters by the World Science Fiction Society. Additionally, the Library of Congress bestowed upon her the prestigious title of living legend in the year 2000. Furthermore, her remarkable literary achievements were further recognized in 2014 when she received the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. Tragically, she passed away at the age of 88 in 2018.

Doris Lessing

An Author Shoutout to Doris Lessing, born in Kermanshah, Iran, who hailed from a family involved in banking, and relocated to South Africa at the age of six. Not only a writer but also an activist, she eventually settled in London after facing bans in South Africa and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) for her outspoken opposition to apartheid.

She transitioned from political writing to literary works and eventually ventured into science fiction. Despite rejecting a damehood, she was honored as a British Companion of Honour in 1999 and later received the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature in 2007. Her passing occurred in 2013 at the age of 94.

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