novelist
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /nˈɒvɪlˌɪst/
US
- /ˈnɑvələst/
Description
- story writer
- author of novels
- fiction creator
A novelist is someone who writes novels, which are long fictional stories. You can think of them as people who build stories, characters, and whole worlds with words. Not every writer is a novelist; some write short stories, poems, or nonfiction instead. But if a writer spends a lot of time creating book-length fiction, they are likely a novelist. Think of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, or Toni Morrison, all famous writers of novels.
The word "novelist" refers to a writer who writes novels. A novel is usually a long fictional story, often with developed characters, a clear plot, and enough space to explore ideas and relationships in depth. Novels are often realistic, but they do not have to be. They can also be fantastic, historical, romantic, mysterious, or set in imagined worlds.
Historically, the rise of the novelist was linked to the growth of literacy and the middle class in the 18th century. Before that, epic poems and plays were more common forms of long storytelling. Today, novelists come from all walks of life and write in many genres, from historical fiction and romance to science fiction and mystery.
Being a novelist is not just about putting words on a page. It means creating characters people care about, building scenes that feel real, and shaping a story that keeps readers turning the pages. Some novelists write quiet stories about everyday life, while others create adventures, love stories, or imagined futures. Think of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Margaret Atwood, whose books show how different novels can be. So if someone writes novels as part of their work or creative life, calling them a novelist makes perfect sense.
Examples
- 1
Family background
Her father is a novelist, and he writes every morning before breakfast.
- 2
Literary prize
The prize went to a young novelist from Lagos.
- 3
Career path
She started out as a journalist before becoming a novelist.
- 4
Genre identity
He is best known as a crime novelist, but his new book is a love story.
- 5
Literary festival
At the festival, readers can meet poets, historians, and novelists.
- 6
First novel
The class was taught by a debut novelist whose first book came out last year.
Phrase
debut novelist
someone who has published their first novel
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- novelistnoun
Forms
- novelistspluralnoun