Two scientists have plotted the number of published authors per year since the year 1400, finding that with the rise of social media, the number is growing nearly tenfold every year. Authors — once an elite minority — will soon be a majority.
Authors
Which famous author would you go boozing with?
Literary figures are long time lovers of drinking and alcoholism. Would you have been more likely to share a tipple with Oscar Wilde or a rum with Ernest Hemingway? Take the quiz!
Heathrow Airport’s writer in residence
Author Alain de Botton is writing a new book — from the middle of London’s Heathrow Airport. His book, masterminded by the airport’s PR department, will document his experiences living in the airport for a week, chatting to travellers, baggage handlers, airline executives and others.
Are all sci-fi writers insane?
The idea that sci-fi and fantasy writers are a few bottles short of a six pack is one that has probably around for as long as the genres have existed, says Renai LeMay. But the grown adults who dream about dragons and space ships all day may just be some of the sanest people around.
15 things you didn’t know about bestselling authors
Mental Floss dishes the dirt on some of the literary world’s biggest names.
Tips for authors on how to get words on the page
One of the challenges of writing is … writing. Here are some tips that I’ve found most useful for myself, says Gretchen Rubin.
Obama’s fictional pick
The president said he is “sick of briefing books” and is reading Netherland by the Irish author Joseph O’Neill. The 2008 novel features a Dutchman living in NYC after the 9/11 attacks.
10 cursed second novels
Frazier’s Cold Mountain sold in bucketloads and he received an $8million advance for Thirteen Moons. It flopped.
