The Writers Spot

The Literature of Abolition The rise of mass media – and printed media in particular – occurred roughly during the same time period that abolitionism began growing as a political movement.

The abolition movement harnessed media as a way to get their message across, using everything from newspapers to novels to reprinted speeches and sermons as a way to express their views.

Word to the Wise: Australian Origins Words for Australia Day

Here are some words that entered our common lexicon thanks to Australia.

Literary Locations: Iowa City It may seem odd to many that the first UNESCO World City of Literature was not a major publishing hub like New York City, Portland, San Francisco, or Washington, D.C, but rather the Midwestern college...

It may seem odd to many that the first UNESCO World City of Literature was not a major publishing hub like New York City, Portland, San Francisco, or Washington, D.C, but rather the Midwestern college town of Iowa City.

All About Authors: Jack London A novelist, journalist, and activist, Jack London was a pioneer of commercial and magazine fiction and one of the first American writers to gain massive international fame.

novelist, journalist, and activist, Jack London was a pioneer of commercial and magazine fiction and one of the first American writers to gain massive international fame

American Literary Periods: Early National Period Also known as the Federalist Period because of the development of America’s governance during this time, the Early National Period of American history and literature marks a time when the new country ...

Also known as the Federalist Period because of the development of America’s governance during this time, the Early National Period of American history and literature marks a time when the new country was trying to find its own voice independent of England

Word to the Wise: Bath Words Words for National Bubble Bath Day

From just getting clean to finding a time to unwind and relax, baths and bathing are an important aspect of human culture.

All About Authors: Zora Neale Hurston One of the most influential figures of the Harlem Renaissance, the contributions Zora Neale Hurston made to African-American literature, anthropology and culture may have been completely forgotten if ...

One of the most influential figures of the Harlem Renaissance, the contributions Zora Neale Hurston made to African-American literature, anthropology and culture may have been completely forgotten if not for the work of author Alice Walker and others who revived her work from obscurity.

American Literary Periods: American Enlightenment The Age of Enlightenment brought Europe out of some of the darker days and older ways of thinking into a new period of scientific discovery, widespread learning, and a general desire and thirst for kn...

This is the period where many of the founding documents of the U.S. were written, where the goals of the new nation were set out, and where the pen as well as the sword was used to create a new national identity and sense of American self.

Reading Recs: Winter Reads Books to get in the spirit of the winter months

There are plenty of stories that evoke the colder months, winter settings, and highlight the experiences of those who faced the frozen odds

Literary Locations: Jane Austen's Bath The city of Bath has become inextricably linked with Jane Austen, her characters, and various stories set in the same period in which Austen wrote.

Austen herself set two of her novels, Persuasion and Northanger Abbey, in Bath and used her experiences there as fuel for depictions of society and people in other stories she wrote.

Tackling Writer’s Block and Burnout At one point or another, every writer has experienced it: either the feeling of sitting before a blank piece of paper or word document and coming up with nothing or feeling a sense of dread, anxiety, ...

Both writer’s block and burnout can take a toll on a writer, sometimes lasting for months and even years. This sense of loss of creativity can sometimes be accompanied by a loss of sense of self and even depression.

Exploring Archetypes: The Fool/Jester From the dumb blonde to the village idiot to the town drunk to the court jester to the foolish character that often spouts wisdom ignored by the other characters, the role of the fool in literature ha...

The role of the fool in literature has worked to provide comic relief, subvert ideas about intelligence, and even create a sense of the sinister, macabre, bizarre and even melancholy.

Reading Recs: Genocide Prevention Day Reading recommendations for the prevention of genocide and the remembrance of victims of genocide

The goal of the day is to assess progress, confront ongoing challengers, and renew interest and commitment from the international community to prevent atrocities like genocide from occurring.

A Guide to Plot Structures: Polti's 36 Archetypes In the modern day world, people want information presently quickly, efficiently, and often broken down into bit-size, easily digestible pieces, which might be why a lot of modern literary analysts and...

While other writers insist there are as few as nine, seven, or six plot structures, American-born French writer Georges Polti suggested a total of 36 plot archetypes in 1916. Learn more about them here.

Word to the Wise: Bartender Words Words for National Bartender and Repeal Days

Those who work behind the bar have to learn a language all their own, and by learning the origins of these words, we can better understand the history of bars, bartenders, and the Prohibition era.

Word to the Wise: Hanukkah Words Hanukkah-related word origins

Learning more about the words and terms associated with this holiday can teach us more about Jewish history and culture as well as how the Jewish experience fits into the larger context of the world.

A Readers' Guide to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities Books to promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities

With 2025 also marking 35 years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), now more than ever it is important to reflect on where the journey for disability rights has come from and how to tackle ongoing issues.

Getting into Genre: Fantasy From witches and wizards to dwarves and elves to fairies and mythical beasts, fantasy literature has long been a feature of human storytelling.

From Wonderland to the Shire, Hogwarts to Westeros, fantasy can offer both an image of an idealized reality and uncomfortable comparisons to our own time and place.

Reading Recs: World AIDS Day Reading recommendations for World AIDS Day

Here are 20 works of non-fiction, memoirs, works of fiction, and other works that help put World AIDS Day in context. #WOrldAIDSDay

American Literary Periods: Colonial Period Because of how English-focused much of American history is, it can be easy to assume that America’s colonial English literary traditions started when a lot of American history texts do: with the pilgr...

Colonial literature in America has a much broader scope that perhaps taught in the average elementary school history text.

Exploring Archetypes: The Mentor/Sage From Merlin to Gandalf to Yoda to Mr.

Serving as a moral compass and having the ability to oversee intense physical training despite their age, these characters serve as the guiding force during the early part of a hero’s career.

A Guide to Plot Structures: Joseph Campbell and the Hero's Journey Since the dawn of time, mankind has told stories of heroes and villains both for entertainment and to define the ideals of society.

Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey and concept of the monomyth has become an important plot framework for everyone from George Lucas to Bob Dylan to Stanley Kubrick to Arthur C. Clarke.

All About Authors: Voltaire Considered one of the most pre-eminent writers, philosophers, and historical figures in French culture, Voltaire produced works in almost every literary form available and would go on to influence the...

Voltaire challenged ideas about religion, freedom of speech, literature, philosophy, mathematics, and science in ways that still reverberate today.

Reading Recs: Transgender Day of Remembrance A reading list to commemorate Transgender Awareness Week and the Transgender Day of Remembrance

Education and awareness are vital in combating harmful stereotypes, better understanding the viewpoints of others, learning the realities that trans people face, and working toward collective equality and justice. #TransDayofRemembrance

20 Native Poets to Read this November Celebrate Native American Heritage Month by exploring the work of Native poets.

Native American cultures have diverse and unique ways of preserving culture, traditions, history, and works of literature. These poets each bring their own experience to a larger narrative. #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth

A Guide to Plot Structures: An Introduction If you are building a structure, you need a foundation - and maybe a steel frame depending on its height.

There are plenty of theories about what makes a plot work and how a plot is formed. From Aristotle to modern TV writers, these structures can help build your unique story.

Literary Locations: Literary Hikes Literary treks for National Take A Hike Day

From the windswept landscapes that inspired poets to the country walks where famous writers worked out their plot holes to massive cross-country hikes that have inspired dozens of memoirs and then copycat hikers, here are 20 literary hikes to explore.

Literary Locations: Literary Seattle Situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle was officially founded on Nov.

From traditional native storytellers to modern sci-fi writers, Seattle’s literary history and destinations are as varied and diverse as the city itself.

A Guide to the Native American Renaissance In the wake of ongoing civil rights movements and changing cultures, the 1960s and 1970s provided a time in both academia and publishing where more attention was being given to minority voices and con...

Amid the development of new cultural, historical, postcolonial, ethnic and cultural studies, see how Native American voices were being uplifted and re-evaluated.

20 Books By Early Native American Writers Much of the literary history of America’s first peoples revolves around oral storytelling, legends, pictographs and petroglyphs, as well as unique methods of preserving events and histories like wampu...

These 20 books showcase how native voices have both always been present and how they have changed and adapted to meet the times in which they lived #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth