5 Fun Ways to Celebrate National Authors Day

A Global Celebration of Writing

National Authors Day is coming up on November 1st. Originally established as an awareness day in the United States, this holiday has since transcended borders. Readers across the world gather every November to find new and creative ways to express gratitude to their favorite writers. 

National Authors Day was first proposed in 1928 by the President of the Illinois Women’s Club, Nellie McPherson. McPherson wanted to emphasize the importance of reading and writing, while celebrating beloved American authors. After twenty years of informal celebrations in America, the day was officially recognized by the US Department of Commerce in 1949. Since then, it has become an international day to celebrate talented writers and the power of storytelling across the world. In early recognition of the day, here are five fun and easy ways you can celebrate National Authors Day yourself.

Re-read a Favorite Story

If you read in any capacity, whether as a novice or a professional, it’s likely that you have a favorite novel or series that you’ve held onto over the years.

National Authors Day is a great time to break it back out to enjoy and help you remember what made you fall in love with it in the first place. This could mean rereading your favorite childhood fairytale or embarking on a 700-page quest with your most beloved fantasy heroes. If you’re not a fiction person, cracking open your most interesting piece of nonfiction is well within the rules of the day.

As November kicks off the holiday season for many of us, this could be a good time to share your favorite seasonal or cultural stories with your children or younger generations. A family storytime featuring a holiday fable or tale from your culture is a wonderful way to honor the author and pass down traditions – or even create a new one.

Explore New Voices

The world has no shortage of authors. Every day new writers share their works with the world in the hopes that someone will enjoy their voice or resonate with their art. Authors from the past and present await new readers. In recognition of National Authors Day, you can seek out new stories. Shop for unfamiliar authors at your favorite bookstore or explore a new section of your local library. Honestly, who needs another excuse to go book shopping?

Reading is also a fun and powerful way to educate yourself. You can use this day to explore themes and ideas that might change the way you see things. Feel encouraged to push your boundaries of worldview or put yourself in another’s shoes. This is easily done by choosing an author who isn’t a member of your own experience. It’s always a good idea to celebrate diverse or marginalized groups who are often overlooked as authors. You might just find a new favorite while you’re at it.

Find The Writer Within

Have you always enjoyed reading and are envious of authors who are living out their passion and getting paid to write? The good news is that writing is for everyone! If you have a story to tell and access to a writing utensil and something to write on, then (surprise!) you’re a writer. It’s that easy. National Authors Day is a chance to put yourself in the shoes of your most admired writers and try it for yourself. Set aside some time on November 1st to take a stab at writing in your favorite genre. 

If you’ve got the drive but are having a hard time with creative inspiration, this can be easily remedied. A quick internet search of ‘writing prompts’ + your genre of choice will generate a plethora of creative prompts to get you started on your writing journey. You can also search for ideas on the pages of your favorite book. Other works of writing are often the inspiration for new stories. Immerse yourself in their world and then create your own new one.

Reach Out To Your Favorite Writer

For the lucky few, becoming an author is a lucrative and rewarding career, but like so many other artists, many writers work and struggle for their art every single day.

It can become a tiresome and thankless job for even the most talented writers. A little appreciation can go a long way. National Authors Day is a fantastic time to share your feelings with your favorite author. 

There are lots of ways you can do this. One way is to reach out to them directly. Many authors have websites with their contact information provided. If it’s available, send them an email or leave them a message of encouragement to enjoy.

You can also find them on social media. In the digital age, many relevant writers find success by being active on social media and marketing their books to users. You can post about your favorite book or piece of writing to your own followers and tag the author so they can see. It’s a great way to celebrate them and help them promote their work to other readers. Don’t forget to use #NationalAuthorsDay to broaden your reach.

Time To Celebrate

However you decide to observe National Authors Day is up to you. This list is just a few of the many ways to celebrate the day. Just make sure to set aside a few moments on November 1st to acknowledge your favorite authors and enjoy the magic of meaningful writing