Écrivain

Écrivain is a French term meaning "writer" or "author." In general usage it describes a person who writes as a vocation, especially those who produce literary works such as novels, poems, essays, or plays. The word can apply to authors of fiction and non-fiction alike, and it emphasizes the craft of writing and the act of creation rather than a specific form of publication.

It derives from Old French escivain, from Latin scriba (scriber). In French, écrivain is distinct from romancier (novelist) and from journaliste (journalist); an écrivain may work across genres or focus on literary prose, criticism, or memoir. The term carries a connotation of literary merit and artistic aspiration, though it is broad enough to include essayists, biographers, poets, and dramatists.

Some écrivains are professional authors who publish under contract with publishers and live from writing royalties, while others contribute to periodicals or teach. The tradition of the écrivain public refers to writers who help others compose documents, letters, or official statements for a fee.

In the Francophone world, the écrivain has long been a cultural figure shaping public discourse through novels, essays, and journalism, navigating relationships with publishers, critics, and authorities. Notable figures described as écrivains include Victor Hugo, Marguerite Duras, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Amélie Nothomb.