National Author’s Day

National Author’s Day is a holiday dedicated to the wonderful works of American authors. Each work is an amazing story filled with a kaleidoscope of emotions – joy, love, hatred, fear, envy, empathy, perseverance, and heroism. Held annually on November 1st, National Author’s Day is the time to remember your favorite books and re-read them.

History

National Author’s Day originated in Illinois in 1928 when a women’s club met regularly to talk about their favorite writers. At one of these meetings, Nelly Verne Bert McPherson suggested that such a day should be dedicated to American authors. She was inspired by her reading of Buckeller Irving’s story “Eben Holden’s Last Day Fishing.” After writing the author a letter and receiving a copy of the story and its autograph in return, McPherson proposed the idea of setting aside a day in honor of all American writers. Initially celebrated within the club, the US Department of Commerce recognized National Author’s Day as an official event in 1949.

Interesting facts about American writers

• Dan Brown was a singer before writing the famous book The Da Vinci Code.
• Jonathan Swift came up with the beautiful name Vanessa.
• Mark Twain’s real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens, but the writer originally used the pseudonym Josh.
• Clive Staples Lewis coined the term “verbicide”, which means a deliberate misrepresentation of a word.
• Each year, the city of Key West, Florida, hosts the Ernest Hemingway Look-Alike Competition at Sloppy Joe’s bar.

How to take part

There are many ways to join in National Author’s Day. Re-read a favorite book, or pick up something you’ve never read before. Visit your local library and ask the librarian for recommendations. You may find yourself enjoying a classic like The Great Gatsby or The Grapes of Wrath, or getting lost in the chilling stories of Stephen King. If you don’t feel like reading, watch a film adaptation of an American book.

When is National Author’s Day celebrated in 2023?

National Author’s Day is observed on November 1 each year.

Observations