Jeff Somers
Expertise
American History, 19th & 20th Century Literature, Fiction And Freelance Writing
- Drawing on his knowledge of history, Jeff co-wrote a comic book about a group of people who slide into an alternate dimension where the Aztec Empire never fell called "Sliders: Blood and Splendor," published by Acclaim Comics in 1996.
- Jeff Somers' short story "Ringing the Changes" was included in "Best American Mystery Stories 2006," edited by Scott Turow.
- Obsessed with history but also deeply creative, Jeff has read so many historical fiction novels he fears he's blurred the line between reality and a really good plot twist involving 19th century technology.
Experience
Jeff Somers has been writing professionally on a wide range of topics for more than a decade. He's been a Contributing Editor at Writer's Digest Magazine since 2016. His work has appeared there as well as on the Barnes & Noble Book Blog, Lifehacker, Bookbub, and Thrillest, and he reviews books from independent publishers professionally. A history minor in college, his reading list is still populated with books on history, historical fiction, and biographies of fascinating people, making him both a formidable trivia team member and a writer who can deep dive into topics ranging from famous battles to the scandalous lives of roaring twenties movie stars. Jeff's first novel, "Lifers," was published in 2001, and his most recent book, "Writing Without Rules" was published by Writer's Digest Books and covers the craft and business sides of professional writing.
Education
Graduating with a Bachelor's in English from Rutgers University, Jeff Somers minored in history and continues his education through reading on a constant basis. His combination of writing skill and infinite curiosity makes him the ideal writer to explore the nooks and crannies of history that are often overlooked.
The unique content on Grunge is a result of skilled collaboration between writers and editors with a broad array of expertise in everything from history to classic Hollywood to true crime. Our goal is to provide accurate and diverse content bolstered by expert input.
Focused on accuracy and ethical coverage, the Grunge editorial team consistently fact-checks and reviews site content to provide readers with an informative, entertaining, and engaging experience. Click here for more information on our editorial process.
Stories By Jeff Somers
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There are infinite ways to die, but some are worse than others. Here are the most painful ways to die, according to science.
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In the 1950s, people wrote "dating etiquette" guides for teens, and they're seriously antiquated. Here are some outdated dating etiquette rules from the 1950s.
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The Rat Pack has managed to remain iconic despite changing times, being known for their music and quite a few movies. This is every movie starring the Rat Pack.
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Betty White was a brilliant comedian, with a career that spanned seven decades. From game shows to talk shows to sitcoms, here are her most iconic TV moments.
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There were plenty of ways to die in the classic "Oregon Trail" video game, including snakebites, broken limbs, accidental gunshots, and disease.
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The vast majority of U.S. presidents were millionaires, but not all of them were equally rich. These are some presidents who were poorer than you thought.
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Which U.S. president was the richest, and how much is Donald Trump really worth? These are the richest presidents in U.S. history.
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From her war effort to her embracing of modernization, here are Queen Elizabeth II's most notable accomplishments
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The high standards of the troupe explain why so many Rockettes have gone on to be successful, influential women. Here's a list of the most notable ex-Rockettes.
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We've had dubious diets and buzzy snacks for centuries now. To prove it, here's a rundown of some popular food fads from the 1800s.
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Music reflects on the time and place it's written in, and slavery has long dominated the public discourse. These are songs you didn't know had ties to slavery.
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John Wayne Gacy killed at least 33 people before he was caught. This is the timeline of serial killer John Wayne Gacy's life and death.
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Here are the most bizarre things in the world that you can rent for a day. The lust is longer and more varied than you might suspect.
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Many of us are clueless about what happens before a funeral. Here are 10 things about embalming that your funeral director won't tell you.
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When you see what people were predicting for the early 21st century, it's pretty exciting. Here's how people from 100 years ago pictured the future would be.
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Rodney Dangerfield made being an unhappy, middle-aged man seem cool and hip. But his self-loathing wasn't an act. Here's the untold truth of Rodney Dangerfield.
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Common folk marrying into ancient, royal families - it seems like everybody's doing it these days. But what really happens when royals marry commoners?
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All Saints' Day is often overshadowed by Halloween, but it's a lot more interesting than you might think. Here's the untold truth of All Saints' Day.
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Legendary baseball broadcaster Harry Caray's larger-than-life personality crossed over into mainstream pop culture. Here's his untold truth.
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The 1980s were iconic in terms of fashion and design. Here are some popular things from the 1980s you don't see anymore
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Plenty of folks appeared in the "Star Trek" universe before becoming household names. Here are some of the celebs who appeared in "Star Trek."
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Helen Brach went missing in 1977, and the case has never been closed. Here are the fascinating details of the mysterious disappearance of the Candy Lady.
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Alexander Graham Bell did more than patent the telephone. From an early metal detector to lifesaving breathing equipment, discover 12 of his best inventions.
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"Weird Al" Yankovic is known for parodies like "Eat It" and "Amish Paradise," but there's no better proof of his musical powers than his non-parody work.
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Probably the most remarkable thing about the "Weird Al" Yankovic film "UHF" is that it exists. The story of how it happened is fascinating.
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Every now and then even a well respected music critic writes a review they come to regret. Here are a few music critic reviews that aged poorly.
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While the official inspiration behind holidays is generally positive, the true story is sometimes complex. Here is the messed up truth about national holidays.