Terence Davies was a highly acclaimed British screenwriter, film director, and novelist best known for writing and directing autobiographical films such as, Distant Voices, Still Lives (1988), The Long Day Closes (1992) and the collage film Of Time and the City (2008). He was widely regarded by critics as one of the greatest British directors of his generation. Davies' career began in the late 1970s with a series of short films that showcased his unique visual style and exploration of themes suc... moreTerence Davies was a highly acclaimed British screenwriter, film director, and novelist best known for writing and directing autobiographical films such as, Distant Voices, Still Lives (1988), The Long Day Closes (1992) and the collage film Of Time and the City (2008). He was widely regarded by critics as one of the greatest British directors of his generation. Davies' career began in the late 1970s with a series of short films that showcased his unique visual style and exploration of themes such as memory, identity, and loss. His debut feature film, "Distant Voices, Still Lives" (1988), received widespread critical acclaim and established him as a significant figure in British cinema. Davies continued to create deeply personal and introspective films that reflected his own struggles with sexuality, religion, and societal constraints. His works often featured themes of nostalgia, longing, and the passage of time, creating a sense of poetic melancholy. Notable films include "The Long Day Closes" (1992), "The House of Mirth" (2000), and "Sunset Song" (2015). In addition to his filmmaking, Davies was also an accomplished novelist. His debut novel, "The Neon Bible" (1989), explored similar themes of his films and received critical acclaim. Davis received numerous awards for his work including the Toronto Film Festival Award and the London Film Critics Circle award.
Robert Patrick born Robert Patrick O'Connor was an American playwright, poet, lyricist, short story writer, and novelist best known for his significant contributions he made to the fields of theater, poetry, fiction, and songwriting. Patrick is best known for his work as a playwright, having written over 60 plays and over 300 production throughout his career. His plays, which often dealt with themes of sexuality, politics, and social justice, were groundbreaking for their time and helped pave th... moreRobert Patrick born Robert Patrick O'Connor was an American playwright, poet, lyricist, short story writer, and novelist best known for his significant contributions he made to the fields of theater, poetry, fiction, and songwriting. Patrick is best known for his work as a playwright, having written over 60 plays and over 300 production throughout his career. His plays, which often dealt with themes of sexuality, politics, and social justice, were groundbreaking for their time and helped pave the way for the LGBTQ+ theater movement. Some of his most notable works include "Kennedy's Children," "The Haunted Host," and "T-Shirts." In addition to his work in theater, Patrick was also a talented poet, lyricist, short story writer, and novelist. He published several collections of poetry, including "My Life with Women: Confessions of a Domesticated Male" and "Plays and Poems for Women." He also wrote the lyrics for several songs, including "The Lavender Song" and "Gay Messiah." He won numerous awards for his work throughout his career including Show Business Best Play Award, New York Innovative Theatre Artistic Achievement Award, and Robert Chesley Award For Lifetime Achievement In Gay Playwrighting.
Rachel Grace Pollack was an American science fiction author, comic book writer, and expert on divinatory tarot best known for her groundbreaking work in the field of divinatory tarot, where she was widely regarded as one of the foremost experts and innovators. She authored several influential books on the subject, including "Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom" and "The New Tarot Handbook," which helped to popularize tarot as a tool for personal growth and spiritual insight. She is also credited for... moreRachel Grace Pollack was an American science fiction author, comic book writer, and expert on divinatory tarot best known for her groundbreaking work in the field of divinatory tarot, where she was widely regarded as one of the foremost experts and innovators. She authored several influential books on the subject, including "Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom" and "The New Tarot Handbook," which helped to popularize tarot as a tool for personal growth and spiritual insight. She is also credited for creating the first mainstream transgender superhero, Kate Godwin. Pollack's work spanned a wide range of genres and mediums, from science fiction and fantasy novels to comic books and tarot card readings. In addition to her work in tarot, Pollack was also a prolific science fiction author, with several acclaimed novels and short stories to her name. Pollack was also a talented comic book writer, having penned several issues of DC Comics' "Doom Patrol" series and contributed to other notable titles such as "Wonder Woman" and "The New Gods." She was a recipient of the Arthur C. Clarke Award and the World Fantasy Award, among other honors, and her work is widely regarded as pushing the boundaries of the genre. Her contributions to the world of science fiction, tarot, and comics will be remembered as a lasting legacy.
Meir Shalev was a celebrated Israeli writer and newspaper columnist best known for his novels, which often explore the complexities of Israeli society and the human condition. Some of his most famous works include "A Pigeon and a Boy," "Esau," and "The Blue Mountain," all of which have been translated into 26 languages and received critical acclaim both in Israel and abroad. He began his career by presenting ironic features on television and radio and in 1988 his first novel The Blue Mountain wa... moreMeir Shalev was a celebrated Israeli writer and newspaper columnist best known for his novels, which often explore the complexities of Israeli society and the human condition. Some of his most famous works include "A Pigeon and a Boy," "Esau," and "The Blue Mountain," all of which have been translated into 26 languages and received critical acclaim both in Israel and abroad. He began his career by presenting ironic features on television and radio and in 1988 his first novel The Blue Mountain was published. He went on to publish over 20 books throughout his career. In addition to his novels, Shalev was also a respected columnist for the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, where he wrote about a wide range of topics related to Israeli politics and society. He was known for his sharp wit, insightful commentary, and deep love for the Israeli people and the land of Israel. Throughout his career, Shalev was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Brenner Prize for Literature, the Prime Minister's Prize, and the National Jewish Book Award. He was widely regarded as one of Israel's most important literary figures, and one of the most beloved and prolific writers, with a career that spanned over four decades.
Anne Perry born Juliet Marion Hulme was a British convicted murderer and writer best known for writing the Thomas Pitt and William Monk series of historical mysteries that sold more than 26 million copies. Her murderous past was publicly revealed and dramatized in a 1994 movie Heavenly Creatures. Before Perry became an established author she was convicted of the murder of her of friend Parker's mother, Honorah Rieper in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1954, at the age of fifteen, together with her ... moreAnne Perry born Juliet Marion Hulme was a British convicted murderer and writer best known for writing the Thomas Pitt and William Monk series of historical mysteries that sold more than 26 million copies. Her murderous past was publicly revealed and dramatized in a 1994 movie Heavenly Creatures. Before Perry became an established author she was convicted of the murder of her of friend Parker's mother, Honorah Rieper in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1954, at the age of fifteen, together with her 16-year-old friend Pauline Parker. They served five years behind bars and they were given new identities. Her criminal past was revealed publicly in the summer of 1994 when word leaked out that Peter Jackson would recount her story in the film Heavenly Creatures. After she got out of prison she returned to England and became a flight attendant. Perry's first novel, The Cater Street Hangman, was published in 1979 and from then on she went on to publish over 100 books. The Times of London named its 100 Masters of Crime of the past century, there she was on the list alongside Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and Arthur Conan Doyle.
Donald Michael Thomas was an award winning British poet, translator, novelist, editor, biographer and playwright best known for work like Dreaming in Bronze which earned him a Cholmondeley Award. Thomas briefly served in the military from 1953 to 1955. After his discharge he attended New College, Oxford, where he graduated with First Class Honours in English in 1958. He then found work teaching at Teignmouth Grammar School before moving to lecturer English at Hereford College of Education in 1... moreDonald Michael Thomas was an award winning British poet, translator, novelist, editor, biographer and playwright best known for work like Dreaming in Bronze which earned him a Cholmondeley Award. Thomas briefly served in the military from 1953 to 1955. After his discharge he attended New College, Oxford, where he graduated with First Class Honours in English in 1958. He then found work teaching at Teignmouth Grammar School before moving to lecturer English at Hereford College of Education in 1963 to 1978. His first published work was a short story in The Isis Magazine in 1959 and his first published novel was The Flute-Player. From then on he published numerous poems and novels winning awards for some of his work. Some of the awards won by Thomas include Cholmondeley Award for Dreaming in Bronze, The White Hotel book won the Cheltenham Prize for Literature, P.E.N. Prize and Booker Prize and Orwell Prize, for Alexander Solzhenitsyn: a Century in His Life. His work has been translated into 30 languages.
Dubravka Ugrešić was a Yugoslav, Croatian and Dutch writer best known for her criticism of the nationalism and chauvinism that fractured her native Yugoslavia. Ugrešić attended University of Zagreb and majored in comparative literature and Russian language. After graduating she decided to pursue parallel careers as a scholar working at the university, at the Institute for Theory of Literature and as a writer. Dubravka Ugrešić published multiple novels and short story collections, her novel Stef... moreDubravka Ugrešić was a Yugoslav, Croatian and Dutch writer best known for her criticism of the nationalism and chauvinism that fractured her native Yugoslavia. Ugrešić attended University of Zagreb and majored in comparative literature and Russian language. After graduating she decided to pursue parallel careers as a scholar working at the university, at the Institute for Theory of Literature and as a writer. Dubravka Ugrešić published multiple novels and short story collections, her novel Steffie Speck in the Jaws of Life was so successful so much so that it was adapted into a movie. Fording the Stream of Consciousness received the NIN Award in 1988, the highest literary honor in former Yugoslavia. She also wrote articles on Russian avant-garde literature. Under Franjo Tudjman, President and founder of the post-Yugoslav Croatian state, Croatian state media launched propaganda campaigns against Ugresic, portraying her as a traitor to the nationalist cause. As a result she left Croatia in 1993 and later lived in the US and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. She taught at UNC-Chapel Hill, UCLA, Harvard University, Wesleyan University, and Columbia University. In 1999, she received the Austrian state literature prize and was mentioned as a contender for the Nobel Prize for Literature.
John William Jakes was an American writer, best known for historical and speculative fiction. He was referred to as the godfather of historical fiction due to his bestselling books American Civil War trilogy, set during the American Revolution and Civil War period. Before Jakes became a bestselling novelist he started out selling stories to pulp magazines while still in college in the early 1950s. He studied creative writing at DePauw University, graduating in 1953. After graduating he had some... moreJohn William Jakes was an American writer, best known for historical and speculative fiction. He was referred to as the godfather of historical fiction due to his bestselling books American Civil War trilogy, set during the American Revolution and Civil War period. Before Jakes became a bestselling novelist he started out selling stories to pulp magazines while still in college in the early 1950s. He studied creative writing at DePauw University, graduating in 1953. After graduating he had some of his stories published and by 1953 he had more than 28 speculative fiction stories published. In 1961, worked as a copywriter for several advertising agencies while he wrote fiction at night and on the weekends. Throughout his career Jakes published more than 30 novels with the Kent Family Chronicles as one of his well known books that brought him recognition in the world of readers released in 1970. Some of Jakes' books were so familiar so much that the North and South trilogy was adapted into an ABC mini series. Jakes was named a Florida Literary Legend at the Florida Heritage Book Festival and Writers Conference In 2013.
Suzy McKee Charnas was an award winning American feminist novelist and short story writer, writing primarily in the genres of science fiction and fantasy best known for the Holdfast Chronicles, a series about a dysfunctional world in which once-enslaved women conquer their former male masters to free themselves. Charnas received her undergraduate degree from Barnard College in economics and history and subsequently furthered her education at New York University, where she earned a master's degr... moreSuzy McKee Charnas was an award winning American feminist novelist and short story writer, writing primarily in the genres of science fiction and fantasy best known for the Holdfast Chronicles, a series about a dysfunctional world in which once-enslaved women conquer their former male masters to free themselves. Charnas received her undergraduate degree from Barnard College in economics and history and subsequently furthered her education at New York University, where she earned a master's degree in education. Her career in writing spanned for over 60 years. She credited her time in Nigeria where she spent teaching there as one of the influences to her writing and Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness was an inspiration for the initiation of her writing career, as it was one of the first feminist novels she had encountered. She was inspired to write feminist literature which she did successfully. Charnas won numerous awards for her work including the 1980 Nebula Award for her psychological vampire novella, Unicorn Tapestry, and the 1990 Hugo Award for her feminist werewolf short story, Boobs. She also received three Otherwise Awards for The Holdfast Chronicles series, beginning with Walk to the End of the World published in 1974.
Kenzaburō Ōe was a Japanese writer and a major figure in contemporary Japanese literature who was regarded as one of Japan’s leading contemporary novelists and the second Japanese person to win the Nobel Prize in literature. Ōe studied French Literature at Tokyo University under the direction of Professor Kazuo Watanabe who was a specialist on François Rabelais. In 1957 whilst still in school, he began publishing stories citing contemporary writing in France and the United States as his influenc... moreKenzaburō Ōe was a Japanese writer and a major figure in contemporary Japanese literature who was regarded as one of Japan’s leading contemporary novelists and the second Japanese person to win the Nobel Prize in literature. Ōe studied French Literature at Tokyo University under the direction of Professor Kazuo Watanabe who was a specialist on François Rabelais. In 1957 whilst still in school, he began publishing stories citing contemporary writing in France and the United States as his influence. Seventeen and The Death of a Political Youth were published in the Japanese literary magazine Bungakukai in 1961 inspired by Yamaguchi Otoya, who had assassinated Japan Socialist Party chairman Inejirō Asanuma in 1960, and then killed himself in prison three weeks later. He received death threats for weeks because of it and was even physically assaulted by an angry right-winger while giving a speech at Tokyo University. Ōe went on to publish numerous novels and made defiant political acts that challenged Japanese culture that he deemed morally wrong. The books that won him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1994 includes A Personal Matter a book he dedicated to his son. He also won other awards for his literature like Akutagawa Prize, Shinchosha Literary Prize and Legion of Honor amongst other Prizes.
Ian Woodward Falconer was an American author and illustrator of children's books, and a designer of sets and costumes for the theater who is best known as the Creator of Olivia, the Energetic Piglet a character in his Children's book that hit the best-seller list in 2000. Falconer studied art history at New York University for two years, then studied painting at the Parsons School of Design before switching to the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles. The book Olivia was initially made as a Christ... moreIan Woodward Falconer was an American author and illustrator of children's books, and a designer of sets and costumes for the theater who is best known as the Creator of Olivia, the Energetic Piglet a character in his Children's book that hit the best-seller list in 2000. Falconer studied art history at New York University for two years, then studied painting at the Parsons School of Design before switching to the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles. The book Olivia was initially made as a Christmas present for his niece but the book blew up and became a bestseller, it was even made into an animated television series by Nickelodeon in 2009. Falconer designed sets and costumes for theatre productions like Tristan Und Isolde, Turandot, Die Frau ohne Schatten, The Santaland Diaries and Firebird just to mention a few. Falconer created 30 covers for The New Yorker as well as other publications and authored 13 children's books. He was a recipient of numerous awards through out his career including Caldecott Honor for Olivia and Child's Best Book in 2000 and 2001 respectively.
Donald Spoto was an American biographer and theologian best best known for his books on Alfred Hitchcock, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and other high-profile entertainment figures. He also wrote about other subjects like Jesus and Joan of Arc. Spoto obtained a BA degree from Iona College in 1963 and his MA and PhD from Fordham University in 1966 and 1970, respectively. He began his career teaching theology, Christian mysticism, and Biblical literature at Fairfield University, at the College of New... moreDonald Spoto was an American biographer and theologian best best known for his books on Alfred Hitchcock, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and other high-profile entertainment figures. He also wrote about other subjects like Jesus and Joan of Arc. Spoto obtained a BA degree from Iona College in 1963 and his MA and PhD from Fordham University in 1966 and 1970, respectively. He began his career teaching theology, Christian mysticism, and Biblical literature at Fairfield University, at the College of New Rochelle, and later film studies at the New School for Social Research from 1966 to 1986. His writing career began in the 1970s where he wrote autobiographies of famous people in Hollywood. His work on St. Francis of Assisi was made into a television program of the same title, Reluctant Saint: Francis of Assisi. In 2012 he served as script consultant for The Girl a movie based on Spoto's books about Alfred Hitchcock. All in all Spoto wrote 29 books. He also served on a number of boards of directors of Human Rights Watch, Death Penalty Focus and the Children's Legal Protection Center.
