American author, Ken Kesey was born on this day in 1935. His most famous novel was One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.

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At the time of it’s release, The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown had a printing of 6.5 million (the largest in Doubleday’s history up to that point,) and it was also the fastest selling adult novel, selling one million on its first day. 

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David Herbert Lawrence, known as D.H Lawrence was born on this day in 1885 in the town of Eastwood, Nottinghamshire.

He was a novelist, poet, playwright, essayist, literary critic and painter. His novels include The Rainbow, Sons and Lovers and Lady Chatterley’s Lover.

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Anna Karenina is over 800 pages long but it was originally published in serialised form. 

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Viking Press, 1957

Jack Kerouac’s novel, On The Road was published by Viking Press on this day in 1957. Kerouac originally finished it 1951 but it took until 1957 to find a publisher.

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John Steinbeck wrote the novel, Of Mice and Men. Apparently, an early draft of this book was eaten by Steinbeck’s dog, Max. Oh dear!

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Mary Shelly, whose most famous novel was Frankenstein, was born on this day in 1797. Her most famous work was originally published anonymously. 

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John Locke

Philosopher and Physician, John Locke was born on this day in 1632. 

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The protagonist in C.S Lewis’ Science Fiction novel were very loosely based on his friend and fellow author, J.R.R Tolkien.

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Poet, novelist and short story writer, Charles Bukowski was born on this day in 1920

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On this day in 1939, the film adaptation of L Frank Baum’s 1900 novel, The Wizard of Oz had its Hollywood Premiere at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

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On this day in 1931, Novelist and screenwriter William Goldman is born. He wrote the novel and screenplay for one of my favourite films, The Princess Bride. 

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Ian Fleming, the creator of 007 Spy James Bond, died on this day in 1964.

As well as writing the Bond novels, Fleming also wrote the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang novel.

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Today, 31st July, is Harry Potter’s birthday as well as his creator, JK Rowling. 

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Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, author of A Doll’s House, kept a live pet scorpion in an empty beer glass on his desk while writing for inspiration. Yikes, rather him than me. 

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