Many singer-songwriters are talented wordsmiths, so it’s no surprise that some branch out and become successful authors.
As a book lover, I have always admired writers who can expand their creativity into different genres, styles and age groups. Like authors, many musicians have demonstrated the fluidity of creativity by exploring other creative outlets, from short stories and novels to poetry and plays. Here are five gifted musicians-turned-authors who have used their storytelling talents to delve into the world of literature.
Leonard Cohen
Not only was Leonard Cohen a talented singer and musician, he was also no stranger to the literary scene. Throughout his life, he published 13 collections of poetry and two novels. Two works by Cohen were also released posthumously. The Flame and A Ballet of Lepers.
While at university, Cohen published his first collection of poetry Let Us Compare Mythologies. His debut novel, the semi-autobiographical The Favourite Game was released in 1963 and received widespread acclaim. To this day, it continues to awe readers.
In 2000, Canada’s Globe and Mail compared The Favourite Game to J. D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, stating that it was “as compelling and good at capturing youthful anxieties”. His 1966 novel Beautiful Losers is considered his best work, having sold hundreds of thousands of copies. It is often cited as one of the best experimental novels of the 1960’s.
Patti Smith
Though she is mostly know as an iconic punk-rock artist, poetry was Patti Smith’s creative outlet before she delved into the world of music. Her first poetry collection Seventh Haven was released in 1972.
Her free-form collection Auguries of Innocence was initially published in 2005, then re-released in 2008 with two additional poems. Smith has cited influences including Blake, Rimbaud and Picasso. Her 1996 work The Coral Sea was released as an album in 2008, consisting of live recordings of two performances by Smith and Kevin Shields.
In 2010, Smith’s memoir Just Kids won the national book award. It details her long relationship with artist Robert Mapplethorpe and her experiences in the 60’s and 70’s New York punk scene.
Nick Cave
According to playwright Neil LaBute, Nick Cave “writes novels like he does lyrics, with strokes of blood and sulphur and lightning”. Best known as the lead singer of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Cave made his debut as an author in 1988 with King Ink, a collection of poems, lyrics and writings.
King Ink was closely followed by his 1989 debut novel And the Ass Saw the Angel, about “a mute born to abusive parents in the American south”. After a break from writing, Cave returned to the book scene in 2009 with the release of The Death of Bunny Munro, which tells the story of a father’s relationship with his son after the sudden death of his wife.
Cave has also delved into the world of screenwriting, co-writing, scoring and starring in the 1988 film Ghosts… of the Civil Dead.
Steve Earle
Steve Earle began his career as a songwriter in Nashville, releasing his first EP in 1982. In 2002 he entered the literary scene, publishing his debut short story collection Doghouse Roses. The collection included twelve works of fiction, tackling topics including addiction, the Vietnam war and life in the music industry. The book received mixed reviews, with Publisher’s Weekly praising some pieces and claiming that others missed the mark.
Daniel Handler
Though often recognised as a children’s author, Daniel Handler is also a talented musician. He has played accordion for both The Gothic Archies and indie-pop band The Magnetic Fields. His musical talents gained more attention after the release of The Magnetic Fields’ album 69 Love Songs.
Over the years, Handler has penned novels for children, teenagers and adults. He is most renowned for his popular children’s series A Series of Unfortunate Events, written under the pseudonym Lemony Snickett. The books inspired both a 2004 movie and a 2017 Netflix show. His other titles include All the Dirty Parts, Why We Broke Up and Bottle Grove.
As if being a gifted musician wasn’t enough, artists like Leonard Cohen and Patti Smith demonstrate that when creativity runs through your veins, it truly knows no bounds. After discovering the incredible literary works of these five musical icons, I will certainly be exploring more novels written by artists and musicians.
