H. H. Munro, British author and humorist, was a writer of the Edwardian era, a time of great social and economic change. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and growing social unrest were changes that influenced Munro’s writings. His short story “The Open Window” is an anthology classic.

https://americanliterature.com/author/hh-munro-saki/short-story/the-open-window/

Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre is semi autobiographical. What does it tell us as readers of this author’s complex world? The orphan Jane Eyre experiences first hand the expectations of a society that is unsympathetic to females of her class. She finds love only to lose it abruptly. She achieves personal growth through her strong will and sense of independence. Jane Eyre goes beyond the gothic elements defining a woman's role during the late 18th century.

A Math and logic professor by day and an author by night. Who would have guessed that Charles Lutwidge Dodgson and Lewis Carroll were one and the same? Could these two personalities be more incompatible? Very shy and often bullied at school, this writer of the wonderful children’s book Alice in Wonderland also endured several illnesses, one of which left him deaf in one ear. 

J.R.R. Tolkien, the English writer and scholar achieved fame with his creative epic stories: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He created detailed languages and rich mythology for Middle-earth, making it a believable and immersive world for readers. His works continue to inspire and influence writers, scholars, and readers around the world.

C. S. Lewis was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and without a doubt one of the most influential writers of his day. He might be best known for “The Chronicles of Narnia" which is a series of seven high-fantasy novels, written between 1949 and 1954 and published from 1950 to 1956. The series is considered a classic of children's literature and has been adapted for radio, television, the stage, and film. He wrote over thirty books both fiction and non-fiction which earned him a well-deserved place among the writers of his day and beyond.

For those into fantasy, horror, science fiction, and graphic novels, Neil Gaiman is the writer of choice. Influenced in part by C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Edgar Allan Poe, it is not surprising that his work has earned him fame. 

P.D. James made a significant contribution to the detective fiction genre. She began writing crime novels when she worked as senior administrator in the National Health Service (NHS). She had a very unique way of depicting the criminal mind. Her detective fiction was a reflection of society's fears, anxieties, and moral dilemmas during her time. Those have not changed much. This episode provides details of this crime novelist’s life.  ~~A Literary Cornucopia

Dame Agatha Christie was a prolific mystery writer. Novels, short stories and plays all involved plots with many twists and turns. Even her own life had its mystery when she disappeared for eleven days! We'll never know if it was a publicity stunt.

Much has been said about this poet. I can only add that after re-reading her poetry, I realize how unique she was not only as a poet but as a woman of strength in many ways. The Victorian Period produced two notable poets: Elizabeth Barrette Browning and Christina Georgina Rossetti. Each had her own style but of the two, Christina has left an indelible mark in my soul. ~~LMM

In keeping with April as National Poetry month, I revisited Episode 30 to listen to my poem inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's poem "A Dream Within Dream." Poe both as a writer and as a poet is definitely in a category by himself. I've always been attracted to his narratives but his poems hold a special place in my heart. After nearly two centuries, why does his body of work appeal to so many? Is it due to the mystery that surrounds his personna?

You can check his poetry out at https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/edgar-allan-poe