On Authorship: Essays on the Emotional Realities of Being a Professional Writer

On Authorship is a compilation of fourteen timeless articles on writing. Originally published online, they were among the most popular articles in Vidal's extensive repertoire. The essays primarily focus on the practical and emotional challenges faced by writers as they move from writing as a hobby to writing as a career. With an approach that is incisive, personal, and reassuring, the work delves into the topics of self-worth, motivation, fear, and more, and is as much an exploration of the soul as it is a discussion and celebration of the craft of writing.

Vidal elevates the act of writing to a spiritual exercise, and the writer to an individual different in kind. He balances an inviolable respect for the art itself with an empowering principle of self-acceptance. His writing flows with a rhythm that is as smooth as silk, and the substance never shies away from the true breadth of a writer's experiences. Anyone who has a deep appreciation for writing, whether it be as a hobby or as a profession, will find themselves stunned by the beauty and wisdom of Vidal's On Authorship.