Authorly

Authorly is an adjective used to describe writing that foregrounds the author's presence, craft, or perspective. The term is a relatively recent coinage in English, occurring primarily in literary criticism, writing pedagogy, and online discussions about style. It characterizes a voice or approach that makes the author's decisions visible to the reader, rather than concealing them behind a seamless narrative.

In practice, authorly writing often features a self-conscious or explicit craft signal: a distinctive voice, attention to point of view, or deliberate diction that reveals choices about structure and tone. It is closely related to, but not identical with, the term authorial, which more narrowly denotes something belonging to the author or characteristic of authorship rather than the stylistic effect itself.

Usage contexts include metafiction, experimental prose, and discussions about the balance between author intention and reader interpretation. Critics argue that authorly writing can read as self-indulgent or precious, while proponents see it as a transparent, craft-informed approach that aids interpretation and voice.

Etymology and spread: derived from "author" with the adverbial suffix "-ly"; widespread in online writing communities, blogs, and courses but not yet common in formal dictionaries. It is often used in comparatives such as "more authorly" or "less authorly" to describe shifts in style.