On this day in 1964, John Lennon’s first book was published

In His Own Write is a collection of short stories, poems and illustrations penned by Lennon in the literary nonsense genre. Literary nonsense is characterised by an absurd and illogical writing style, and often subverts standard language conventions. Author Lewis Carroll is often described as a literary nonsense author and his writing style clearly inspired Lennon’s own.

In His Own Write was popular amongst critics, with reviewers praising Lennon’s wordplay and humour. Many drew comparisons to Irish writer James Joyce, though Lennon was unfamiliar with his work when writing the  book. Commentators would later point out that the writing was very different from his contemporary lyrics, but more closely aligns with later songs like “I Am the Walrus” and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”

The book sold around 300,000 copies in Britain in its first year, a success that soon carried over to the US. Copies of In His Own Write first appeared in the States a couple of months after the band’s infamous first visit, while Beatlemania was on the rise around the country. This helped the book become a best-seller in the US, and prompted Lennon to write several more books, with his next book releasing in June of 1965. In His Own Write remains popular enough to continue printing and selling around the world today.