The holiday first began in 1928 by Illinois Women’s Club president Nellie Verne McPherson. A teacher and active reader, she wrote a fan letter to a fiction writer. Upon hearing back, McPherson decided to show her appreciation by electing for Author’s Day to become a national holiday to honor American writers. Keep reading for a list of authors that are from the Garden State:
Judy Blume
Born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, she is known for the Fudge-a-mania series. She’s also the creator of Blubber and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and has written many adult books including Wifey and Summer Sisters.
Harlan Coben
Born in Newark, New Jersey, he still lives in the Garden State with his wife. He is known for many titles including Fool Me Once, No Second Chance and Tell No One, which was turned into a French film.
George R.R. Martin
Born and raised in Bayonne, New Jersey. He is known for the Song of Ice and Fire series, which later turned into the television series Game of Thrones, he has worked on many popular things such as The Twilight Zone and Beauty and the Beast.
Barbara Park
Born and raised in Mount Holly, New Jersey. She is most known for creating the Junie B. Jones series, which was consistently on the New York Times Best Seller List. She has written over 50 books, including Ma! There’s Nothing to do Here! and Skinnybones.
Lisa Marie Latino
That’s right- #HipNJ’s own is an author herself. Lisa will be hosting an author event at the Butler Public Library in Butler, NJ in celebration of #NationalAuthorsDay. The event will be on Wednesday, January 30, from 6:30-7:30pm. Come meet her and hear her talk about her new book, Ten Years Later, which won Best Fiction at the Independent Authors Book Expo. You’ll also be able to take one home with you because she will be selling copies of the novel as well.
This program is free of charge but please call the library to reserve your seat.
