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Here are 7 Author Shoutouts for this week. Find your favorite author or discover and author whose work you haven’t read yet.
In This Week’s Author Shoutouts:
Flannery O’Connor
An Author Shoutout to (Mary) Flannery O’Connor, a highly regarded American writer, who gained fame for her unique style rooted in Southern Gothic traditions. She authored two novels, 31 short stories, and various critiques. O’Connor’s works often explored regional landscapes, eccentric characters, and the struggle and sometimes violence of embracing or rejecting flaws and differences. Her narratives also delved into ethical dilemmas influenced by her Roman Catholic beliefs. The posthumous compilation of her stories as Complete Stories earned the esteemed U.S. National Book Award for Fiction in 1972 and continues to be celebrated today for its literary excellence.
She died on August 3, 1964, at the age of 39 in Baldwin County Hospital from complications from a new attack of lupus following surgery.
Tennessee Williams and Robert Frost
An Author Shoutout to to Tennessee Williams who was born in Columbus, Mississippi. Also an Author Shoutout to Robert Frost who was born in San Francisco, California the same day as Tennessee. How do you choose between an iconic American playwright (Glass Menagerie, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, A Streetcar Named Desire) and an iconic American poet (“The Road Not Taken”, “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening”, “After Apple-Picking”). The winner of 2 Pulitzer Prizes for Drama and 2 Tony Awards, or the winner of 4 Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry and a Congressional Medal?
The answer is, you don’t choose either – you celebrate both! Happy birthday Tennessee Williams and Robert Frost – amazing writers, both.
Louis Simpson
An Author Shoutout to Louis Simpson, a Jamaican-born American poet, who achieved acclaim with his 1964 Pulitzer Prize-winning collection, At the End of the Open Road. His poetic journey began with The Arrivistes in 1949, known for its structured verse. However, Simpson later transitioned to a more minimalist free verse style. His expatriate background heavily influenced his work, as he delved into the lives of everyday Americans to challenge the nation’s self-created myths.
While occasionally reflecting on his West Indian roots, Simpson maintained a strong connection to his adopted homeland throughout his career. Simposon died in Setauket, New York in 2012 from Alzheimers.
Iris Chang
An Author Shoutout to Iris Shun-Ru Chang, a renowned American journalist and author specializing in historical literature. Her most notable works include the widely acclaimed book The Rape of Nanking, published in 1997, which shed light on the tragic events of the Nanjing massacre. Additionally, her book The Chinese in America: A Narrative History, released in 2003, further showcased her expertise in historical storytelling. In recognition of her contributions, a biography titled Finding Iris Chang was published in 2007 alongside a documentary entitled Iris Chang: The Rape of Nanking, featuring Olivia Cheng portraying Iris Chang. The documentary film paid tribute to her legacy by drawing inspiration from her research and dedicating it to her memory.
Having long suffered from depression and drug addiction, Iris died November 9, 2004 from a self-inflicted gun wound.
Eugene McCarthy
An Author Shoutout to Eugene Joseph McCarthy, a distinguished figure hailing from Minnesota, made his mark as an American politician, scholar, and author. His tenure in the United States House of Representatives spanned from 1949 to 1959, followed by a career in the Senate until 1971. Notably brave and principled, McCarthy boldly contested the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968 against the prevailing Lyndon B. Johnson, advocating fervently for peace during the Vietnam War.
Despite facing multiple setbacks in subsequent presidential bids, Eugene McCarthy’s unwavering dedication to his ideals remains an inspiration to many. McCarthy died of complications from Parkinson’s disease at age 89 in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Anna Sewell
An Author Shoutout to Anna Sewell, a distinguished English writer, who gained widespread recognition for her sole published novel, Black Beauty, released in 1877. Despite being targeted towards adults by the author, the book achieved remarkable success as one of the top ten bestselling children’s novels.
Anna Sewell passed away at the age of 58 in 1878 due to hepatitis and tuberculosis. Despite her untimely death just five months after the publication of her only novel, Black Beauty, she was able to witness its remarkable rise to success during her lifetime.
Judith Rossner
An Author Shoutout to Judith Louise Perelman (nee Judith Rossner) who was born in New York City and grew up in the Bronx with a passion for writing that started at a very young age. She would dictate poems and stories to her mother, who always provided warm support. Her most famous works include the highly praised novels Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1975), which was later adapted into a film starring Diane Keaton, and August (1983).
Rossner died aged 70 in Manhattan on August 9, 2005, from complications of diabetes and leukemia.
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Support Independent Bookstores.
You can find the books relating to our Author Shoutouts at our bookshop, on our list of LitStack Author Shoutouts.