Here are seven author shoutouts for this week. Find your favorite author or discover an author whose work you’ve not yet read.
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In This Week’s Author shoutouts:
Rod Serling
Rod Serling, born in Syracuse, New York, deserves an Author Shoutout. He was a notable figure in the world of entertainment, working as a screenwriter, playwright, television producer, and narrator. Serling gained immense recognition for his renowned science-fiction anthology TV series, The Twilight Zone, which aired from 1959 to 1964. His exceptional talent garnered him prestigious accolades, including the 1955 Emmy Award for his script Patterns, the 1957 Emmy for his script Requiem for a Heavyweight, and the 1959 Emmy for The Twilight Zone. On top of that, Serling also contributed as a co-author for The Planet of the Apes.
He actively participated in politics, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes, earning the nickname the furious youth of Hollywood. This earned him numerous conflicts with TV executives and sponsors on various topics such as censorship, racism, and war. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 50 due to a heart attack.
Henry Miller
Henry Miller, born in New York City, receives an Author Shoutout for his groundbreaking contribution to literature. He revolutionized the traditional novel by combining elements of character analysis, societal critique, philosophical introspection, stream of consciousness writing, explicit language, sexual themes, surrealist associations, and mystical elements. Notably, his works, including Tropic of Cancer, Black Spring, Tropic of Capricorn, and The Rosy Crucifixion trilogy, drew inspiration from his personal experiences in both New York and Paris and were initially banned within the United States.
His literary contributions significantly impacted the Beat Generation of authors, particularly Jack Kerouac. He passed away in 1980 at 88 years old due to complications related to his circulatory system.
Chris Abani
Chris Abani, hailing from Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, deserves an Author Shoutout for his literary contributions. At the tender age of 16, he unveiled his inaugural novel, Masters of the Board, an allegorical political thriller inspired by a pre-written coup, which subsequently led to his initial imprisonment. Remarkably, his written works incurred imprisonment thrice, with his final confinement on death row, until his release was secured through bribes, prompting his relocation to the United Kingdom.
He is the recipient of a PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award, the 2001 Prince Claus Award, a Lannan Literary Fellowship, a California Book Award, a Hurston-Wright Legacy Award, and the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award.
Stan Lee
Stan Lee, born in the iconic city of New York, deserves an Author Shoutout. This multi-talented individual has contributed greatly to the world of comics as a writer, editor, publisher, media producer, actor, TV host, and former chairman of Marvel Comics. From a young age, he aspired to write the Great American Novel, although he did not achieve that specific goal. Nevertheless, his creative genius has left an indelible mark on popular culture. The superhero icons he created, including Iron Man, Thor, the Avengers, Agent Peggy Carter, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Spider-Man, have become eternally cherished. Stan Lee is not only a prominent figure within the industry but also adored as a beloved real life celebrity.
In 2018, at the age of 95, he passed away, yet his presence remains forever ingrained within our cultural backdrop. Excelsior!
Vera Brittain
Vera Brittain, a native of Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire, England, deserves an Author Shoutout. She served as a nurse, writer, feminist, and pacifist. Her widely popular memoir, Testament of Youth, published in 1933, documented her firsthand experiences during World War I and marked the initial stages of her path towards pacifism. Tragically, she endured the loss of her fiancé, two close friends, and brother in the war, an emotional burden that impacted her for the remainder of her life. Notably, a film adaptation of her book, featuring Alicia Vikander, Kit Harrington, and Taron Egerton, was released in 2014.
She passed away in 1970 at the age of 76 after a period of four years marked by a decline. Throughout this time, she remained an active participant as a speaker for the League of Nations Union, and she was also a member of both the Peace Pledge Union and the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship.
Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling, the renowned author of The Jungle Book, Just So Stories, and Captains Courageous, deserves an Author Shoutout. He was born in Mumbai, India, where his British father worked as a professor of architectural sculpture at an art school. When Kipling turned six, he and his sister were sent back to England to live with their aunt. Notably, Kipling holds the distinction of being the first English language writer to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. He achieved this remarkable feat at the young age of 42, making him the youngest recipient of this prestigious award to date.
He was known for his skill and popularity as a poet. It is said that he declined the position of Britain’s poet laureate following Tennyson’s passing. Additionally, he rejected being knighted in the Order of Merit. In 1936, at the age of 70, he passed away due to a perforated duodenal ulcer.
Connie Willis
Beloved science fiction/fantasy writer Connie Willis, born in Denver, Colorado, receives an Author Shoutout. With a remarkable achievement, she has secured eleven Hugo Awards and seven Nebula Awards, the highest number of major SF awards among all writers. Notably, her novel, Blackout/All Clear, earned her the prestigious Best Novel Hugo and Nebula Awards in 2010. Furthermore, Connie Willis made history as the first author to win Hugo awards for all books in a series, specifically the four-volume Oxford Time Travel series.
In 2009, she was honored with induction into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame, while in 2011, she was recognized as the 28th SFWA Grand Master by the Science Fiction Writers of America.
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