Here are seven author shoutouts for this week. Discover a new favorite author and explore their collection of books.
This Week’s Author Shoutouts
Lev Grossman
Lev Grossman hails from Lexington, Massachusetts. He has held the position of senior writer and book critic at Time magazine, and has contributed to various publications including The New York Times, Wired, Salon.com, Entertainment Weekly, The Wall Street Journal, and The Village Voice, among others. In addition, he has served on the board of directors for the National Book Critics Circle. However, his most recognized accomplishment is the creation of The Magicians fantasy series (often likened to a grown-up version of Harry Potter) that has also been adapted into a television show bearing the same name.
At the age of 54, he has added The Silver Arrow and The Golden Swift to his collection of children’s books, while also contributing to the screenplay of The Map of Tiny Perfect Things, a film adaptation of his own short story.
Lucille Clifton
Lucille Clifton hails from Depew, New York and takes pride in her African American heritage. Notably, she achieved the unique distinction of having two collections of poetry nominated for a Pulitzer Prize within a single year. Her impressive literary repertoire includes 13 poetry books, among them the acclaimed Blessing The Boats: New and Collected Poems 1988–2000, which garnered a National Book Award. Additionally, she authored 18 children’s books, including the renowned Everett Anderson series, for which she earned a Coretta Scott King Award.
In 2007, she was honored with the esteemed Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, along with an Emmy Award for her co-writing contribution to the renowned production, Free to Be You and Me. She passed away at the age of 73 in 2010.
Mark Helprin
Mark Helprin, a native of New York City, is the acclaimed writer behind Winter’s Tale, a captivating tale set in a mythical version of New York during the late 19th to early 20th centuries. In addition to this renowned novel, he has authored 16 other literary works, encompassing three collections of short stories and three books tailored for young readers. Beyond his literary pursuits, Helprin also lends his expertise as a journalist and political commentator, making frequent contributions to esteemed publications such as The New Yorker and The Claremont Review of Books.
He has previously served as a speechwriter and foreign policy advisor to Senator Bob Dole. Additionally, he is an esteemed member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a renowned think tank based in New York and Washington DC. The Council specializes in matters of U.S. foreign policy and international affairs.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry hailed from Lyon, France. Renowned for his timeless novella, The Little Prince, he was both a French noble and a skilled aviator. At the young age of 3, he tragically lost his father, and 14 years later, he also mourned the passing of his beloved brother, consequently becoming the sole male member of his family. Serving in the military, he ventured into the field of aviation, ultimately becoming a pioneer in the years that followed, which greatly influenced his literary endeavors.
In 1935, he came close to losing his life due to severe dehydration following a plane crash in Africa. Then, during a reconnaissance mission on July 31, 1944, his aircraft vanished entirely, leaving no clues behind until 1998 when a local fisherman discovered his identification bracelet. He was 44 years old.
Czeslaw Milosz
Czesław Miłosz, a Polish poet, writer, translator, and diplomat, was born in the village of Szetejnie in the Russian Empire (now Lithuania). During the Nazi occupation of Poland, he actively supported and provided aid to the Warsaw Jews, earning him the medal of the Righteous Among the Nations. In 1951, Miłosz defected to the West, and in 1953, he authored The Captive Mind, a renowned critique of Stalinism. His significant contributions to literature were recognized with the Neustadt International Prize in 1978 and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1980.
He passed away at the age of 93 in his residence in Kraków, Poland upon his return after the collapse of the Iron Curtain in 2004.
George Sand
George Sand, the pseudonym of Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, entered this world in Paris, France. A renowned figure of the European Romantic era, she gained immense popularity as a novelist, memoirist, journalist, and activist. Interestingly, she defied norms by donning men’s clothing without official permission and scandalously smoking tobacco in public. Notably, she engaged in numerous affairs with individuals of both genders.
Victor Hugo once praised her, stating, “George Sand proved that a woman could possess both the qualities of strength and tenderness, showcasing her angelic nature while displaying manly gifts.” In 1876, she passed away at the age of 71.
Hermann Hesse
Hermann Hesse hailed from Calw, Württemberg, Germany. A determined individual, he battled with depression and made a suicide attempt at the age of 15. This inner turmoil persisted throughout his lifetime. In his early literary journey, he delved into the realms of philosophy and theology, eventually finding solace in theosophy and developing a fascination for Indian culture and spirituality.
Despite facing harsh criticism for his opposition to World War I, he persisted in crafting literary masterpieces that delved into the exploration of authenticity and self-awareness. Notable among his numerous works are the renowned classics Siddhartha and Steppenwolf. In recognition of his literary brilliance, he was honored with the prestigious Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946. He ultimately passed away in 1962 at the age of 85.
Other LitStack Resources
Be sure and look at our other Author Birthdays, a weekly feature on LitStack from contributing writer Sharon Browning, and also look at our LitStack Bookshop, with tons of titles on our list of Sharon’s Birthday Picks.
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