Who was the youngest person ever to become a published author? Which author wrote the most books? What is the best-seller of all time? Today’s post will answer these questions as well as share other random author facts, just for fun!
Are you an avid reader? Maybe you will discover something you didn’t already know about one of your favorite writers!
Have you heard of Dorothy Straight?
Author Dorothy Straight is best known for her book, entitled, ”How the World Began.” She created its content and illustrations in 1962. What’s most surprising about Miss Straight’s success is that she was age 4 when her book was published! Her mother had reportedly asked young Dorothy, ”Who made the world?”, which compelled the child to ponder. She then put her thoughts into writing and added illustrations.
Dorothy holds the Guinness record for World’s Youngest Author. Interestingly, her family background is also notorious in many ways, including the fact that her father was a KGB spy!
The most prolific author of all time
Regarding authors from the United States, L. Ron Hubbard, now deceased, is credited as being the most prolific of all time. You might know him best for another topic that brought him fame, however. In addition to having written more than 1,080 Sci-Fi and fantasy books, he also happens to have been the founder of the Scientology religion.
Some of Hubbard’s books were published posthumously, meaning after he died. This sparked debate as to whether he was the true author.
Which book has sold the most copies?
In 1995, The Guinness Book of World Records listed the Bible as the best-selling book of all time, a record that has not been broken. There have been more than five billion copies of the Bible sold and distributed world-wide.
No other title has even come close to these many sales. Charles Dickens is a runner up, with ”Tale of Two Cities,” which sold over 100 million copies. As you can see, this number still trails far behind five billion!
Belgian writer takes the cake for speed
A man named Georges Simenon from Belgium, is best known for his ”Maigret” series of books. The main character, Jules Maigret, is a French crime investigator. Simenon is said to have written the series in 11 days!
There’s an anecdote about a phone call that Alfred Hitchcock is said to have made to Mr. Simenon. When Hitchcock was told that Simenon couldn’t come to the phone because he was in the middle of writing a book, Hitchcock is said to have commented, ”Let him finish. I’ll hold on.”
Simenon reportedly wrote, on average, 6,000 to 8,000 words per day. He is said to have consumed copious amounts of coffee to fuel his energy levels. If you were a visitor to his home, you might have found the author wearing the same shirt day in and day out. It is said that, to save time and focus on his writing, he would keep the same shirt on, until he completed a writing project.
Need a writing break? Take time to enjoy some trivia
Writing can become a challenge if you’re having difficulty finishing a novel or feel like you are stuck in a rut. Reading about random author trivia is a fun pastime that can create an enjoyable diversion until you’re ready to get back at it again.
