Pattie Boyd, former fashion model, celebrated rock muse, has become an author, with her memoir "Wonderful Tonight." That is the title of one of the songs that she inspired, from second husband, guitarist Eric Clapton (at their wedding lower left), who is coming out with his own memoir. She had previously been the wife of Beatle George Harrison (upper left); she inspired him to write the song "Something."
A Target
Bangladeshi writer and physician Taslima Nasrin has spoken out in her books against torture, against the mistreatment of women in Islamic countries, against war -- and for her efforts she has been the target of death threats, and forced into exile. On a recent visit to India, she was physically attacked by angry Muslim protesters.
Oldest Nobel Literature Laureate
Doris Lessing received the Nobel Prize for Literature this month. "I suppose they had to give it to me before I popped," said Lessing, 88, the author of 45 novels, the best-known of which is "The Golden Notebook." She is the oldest writer ever to receive the prize.
Oldest Sex Therapist?
Ruth Westheimer -- known the world over as Dr. Ruth -- presents her latest book at the International Frankfurt Book Fair, the world's largest book fair. The sex therapist is 79 years old.
Best-Selling British Author
Author J. K. Rowling signs copies of her book "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" in New Orleans. The last four of the seven Potter books each broke the record as the fastest-selling books in history.
Best Selling British Author, And Royalty
Barbara Taylor Bradford received her Most Excellent Order of the British Empire from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, London. Bradford has published 22 best-selling novels in a row.
Duchess Of Gonzo
Anita Thompson pauses as she talks about her book about her husband "The Gonzo Way: A Celebration of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson," who killed himself in February 2005. Thompson said he built his career with a tireless dedication to the craft of reporting, a keen awareness of his own shortcomings and his personal blend of patriotism: loving his country while mistrusting authority.
Irish Troubles
Irish writer Anne Enright holds a copy of her book after she won the Man Booker fiction prize for "The Gathering," an uncompromising portrait of a troubled family that its author called the literary equivalent of a Hollywood weepie. Enright had been considered a long-shot to take Britain's most prestigious literary trophy, which is accompanied by a check for 50,000 pounds.
Minnesota Mistakes
Heather McElhattan displays the diagram of her life, near her home in Minneapolis, that she says inspired her debut novel, "Pretty Little Mistakes." Readers choose various plot lines that result in more than 150 different endings
Washington Power, Wyoming Memories
Lynne Cheney, wife of Vice President Dick Cheney, talks about her new book "Blue Skies, No Fences," at the vice president's residence in Washington.
Who's Not "Black Enough"?
Detroit author Elizabeth Atkins, the daughter of a black mother and a white father, has written one of the four novellas in a new collection entitled "Other People's Skin," co-authored by three other black women. The fictional work looks at discrimination that results from "colorism" in the black community.
Getting The Skinny
Authors Rory Freedman, left, and Kim Barnouin, who wrote the new diet book "Skinny Bitch," pose in Los Angeles. "Skinny Bitch" had a sudden boost in popularity when Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham was seen with a copy.
A Rock Cinderella
Laurie Lindeen, seen at The Podium guitar store in Minneapolis, is the former leader of all-female rock band Zuzu's Petals and wife of former front man Paul Westerberg of The Replacements. She has written a memoir titled "Petal Pusher: A Rock and Roll Cinderella Story."