National Author's Day ✨

Overview

National Author's Day, observed annually on November 1st, is a time to celebrate and acknowledge the invaluable contributions of authors to literature, culture, and society. It's a day dedicated to appreciating the creativity, imagination, and dedication of writers who craft stories, share knowledge, and inspire readers across all genres, enriching lives through their words and encouraging a love for reading.

Origin and story

National Author's Day was first proposed in 1928 by Nellie Verne Burt McPherson, a member of the Bement, Illinois Women's Club, after corresponding with author Irving Bacheller.

The U.S. Department of Commerce officially recognized National Author's Day in 1949, encouraging people to write letters to their favorite authors.

Quick facts

• DateNovember 1
• TypeCultural / community observance
• Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams

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Ways to celebrate

This day exists because one thank-you letter felt inadequate — a hospitalized reader wrote to an author she admired, and the gesture eventually grew into a nationally recognized holiday for writers.

Thank a writer

Celebrate by:

• Writing a real letter to an author whose book meant something to you, the way this holiday's founder once did.
• Reading something by an author you've never tried before.

See where the day came from

Helpful resources:

• National Author's Day (National Today)

Did you know?

Illinois Women's Club president Nellie Verne Burt McPherson proposed the day in 1928 after writing a fan letter to author Irving Bacheller — it took until 1929 for the General Federation of Women's Clubs to formally endorse it, and until 1949 for the U.S. Department of Commerce to officially recognize it.

Fun facts

• National Author's Day was first proposed in 1928 by Nellie Verne Burt McPherson, a member of the Bement, Illinois Women's Club, after corresponding with author Irving Bacheller.
• The U.S. Department of Commerce officially recognized National Author's Day in 1949, encouraging people to write letters to their favorite authors.
• Many famous authors have written under pseudonyms, such as Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), Mary Ann Evans (George Eliot), and Eric Arthur Blair (George Orwell).

Sources and attribution

National Author's Day (National Today)

External links may lead to third-party websites.

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FAQ

When is National Author's Day?

It is observed on November 1 each year.

What is National Author's Day?

National Author's Day, observed annually on November 1st, is a time to celebrate and acknowledge the invaluable contributions of authors to literature, culture, and society. It's a day dedicated to appreciating the creativity, imagination, and dedication of writers who craft stories, share knowledge, and inspire readers across all genres, enriching lives through their words and encouraging a love for reading.

How do people celebrate National Author's Day?

Write a real letter to an author whose book meant something to you, and read something by an author you've never tried before.

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