Maria Popova

Maria Popova is the editor of Brain Pickings. She writes for Wired UK and GOOD, and is an MIT Futures of Entertainment Fellow.

'Study the King James Bible': H. P. Lovecraft's Advice to Aspiring Writers

'Study the King James Bible': H. P. Lovecraft's Advice to Aspiring Writers

The famous science-fiction author believed good writing started with good reading. More »

Why Men Have Nipples, in One Colorful Animated Video

Why Men Have Nipples, in One Colorful Animated Video

A short by AsapSCIENCE explains that both men and women are "female" in the first stage of human development. More »

'Nothing Any Good Isn't Hard': F. Scott Fitzgerald's Secret to Great Writing

'Nothing Any Good Isn't Hard': F. Scott Fitzgerald's Secret to Great Writing

The 'Great Gatsby' author's surprisingly blunt advice to would-be writers More »

'Is Someone Going to Bake Me in a Pie?' The Eeriness of Mother Goose

'Is Someone Going to Bake Me in a Pie?' The Eeriness of Mother Goose

Illustrations remind us how the classic tales could seem in the minds of the kids to whom we read them More »

'Never Miss Actors Studio Sessions': Famous New Year's Resolution Lists

'Never Miss Actors Studio Sessions': Famous New Year's Resolution Lists

Jonathan Swift, Susan Sontag, Marilyn Monroe, and Woody Guthrie had big plans for the year to come. More »

Unfulfilling Work Dulls Our Senses and Stuns Our Minds

Unfulfilling Work Dulls Our Senses and Stuns Our Minds

Enough with sense, convention, and pleasing our parents More »

Why We're Born Optimists, and Why That's Good

Why We're Born Optimists, and Why That's Good

The innate biases that cause us to adjust our perceptions and memories toward the positive give us unique advantages. More »

A Moleskine Detour: Inside Beloved Creative Icons' Notebooks

A Moleskine Detour: Inside Beloved Creative Icons' Notebooks

A peek at where the magic happens More »

The Enviable Dimwittedness of a Dog

The Enviable Dimwittedness of a Dog

Why we love dogs, even though "dog culture" is annoying and it sucks when they die More »

The Book That Taught Vonnegut About Sex

The Book That Taught Vonnegut About Sex

A progressive-for-its-time, illustrated guide to sex and sexuality. More »

How to Sing, While Only Slightly Overthinking It

How to Sing, While Only Slightly Overthinking It

A guide from German opera legend Lilli Lehmann More »

'Art Is Long, Life Is Short': On His 155th Birthday, Joseph Conrad on Writing

'Art Is Long, Life Is Short': On His 155th Birthday, Joseph Conrad on Writing

The 'Heart of Darkness' author believed the purpose of art was to awaken a feeling of solidarity that would bind people together. More »

Muppets Creator Jim Henson's Never-Before-Seen Sketches

Muppets Creator Jim Henson's Never-Before-Seen Sketches

A new book offers a glimpse of the Muppeteer's early drafts of his now-beloved characters. More »

Fiona Apple's Defense of Canceling Concerts to Be With Her Dying Dog

Fiona Apple's Defense of Canceling Concerts to Be With Her Dying Dog

In a stirring letter, she asks for understanding as she helps her oldest friend feel "comfortable & comforted & safe & important." More »

'Also, the Drink Helps': Famous Writers' Daily Writing Routines

'Also, the Drink Helps': Famous Writers' Daily Writing Routines

Lessons from the greats on how to focus energy, manage time, and maximize creativity More »

Marilyn Monroe's Turkey Recipe

Marilyn Monroe's Turkey Recipe

Canned mushrooms, but fresh peas -- truly, we never knew you at all. More »

According to Kurt Vonnegut, You're Allowed To Be In Love 3 Times in Life

According to Kurt Vonnegut, You're Allowed To Be In Love 3 Times in Life

Three. Not four. So be careful. More »

The Pedestrian Is a Fragile Species

The Pedestrian Is a Fragile Species

Why and how to cultivate walkable cities More »

John Keats's Porridge, Allen Ginsberg's Borscht: Great Poets' Favorite Recipes

John Keats's Porridge, Allen Ginsberg's Borscht: Great Poets' Favorite Recipes

A literature-inspired cookbook reveals how some beloved poets nourished their creativity. More »

'Something to Do With Work as Play': David Foster Wallace on Writers

'Something to Do With Work as Play': David Foster Wallace on Writers

All authors, according to Wallace, are at some point slaves to "an overwhelming need to be liked." More »

The Biggest Story in Photos

Picking up the Pieces After the Tornado in Moore, Oklahoma

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