published author

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A writer whose book, article, or other work has been accepted and made available by a publisher.

   Grammar: Countable; you can say 'a published author' or 'published authors'.

   Patterns

   • a published author of something
   • become a published author

   After years of writing, she finally became a published author.

   He is a published author of three crime novels.

   The conference invited several published authors to speak.

2. 2nouncountable

   A person whose writing has appeared in a recognized publication, such as a journal or magazine.

   Grammar: Countable; often used with 'in' to name the publication.

   Patterns

   • a published author in something

   She is a published author in the field of marine biology.

   As a published author in several magazines, he has a wide readership.

Word forms

Common combinations

become a published author

It took him ten years to become a published author.

a published author of fiction

She is a published author of fiction and poetry.

a published author in a journal

He is a published author in a leading medical journal.

aspiring published author

Many aspiring published authors attend writing workshops.

Synonyms and how they differ

writer

A general term for anyone who writes; 'published author' specifically means their work has been released by a publisher.

novelist

A writer of novels; a published author may write other forms, such as articles or poems.

Word family

publish verb

To make a book, article, etc. available to the public.

publisher noun

A person or company that produces and sells books, magazines, etc.

publication noun

A book, magazine, or the act of making something available to the public.

Commonly confused: published author or publishing author?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “published author”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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