penmen
Those who scribble
Penmen is the plural of penman—someone who writes by hand, especially with skill or as an occupation.
The word appears in historical contexts for scribes, clerks, or calligraphers: The penmen of the Constitution crafted careful language.
It can also mean an author or writer more broadly, though this sense is old-fashioned.
Writer of prose narratives
- essayistAuthor of short prose
- playwrightAuthor of stage dramas
- poetWriter of verse
- biographerOne who writes lives
columnist · journalist · screenwriter · ghostwriter · storyteller · wordsmith · chronicler · fabulist
Document duplicator by hand
- transcriberOne who records speech
- clerkOffice record-keeper
- notaryDocument authentication official
- stenographerPerson recording spoken words
amanuensis · recorder · engrosser · secretary · scriptorium · manuscript · scroll · codex
novelist
Writer of prose narratives
- essayistAuthor of short prose
- playwrightAuthor of stage dramas
- poetWriter of verse
biographer · columnist · journalist · screenwriter · ghostwriter · storyteller · wordsmith · chronicler · fabulist · raconteur
copyist
Document duplicator by hand
- transcriberOne who records speech
- clerkOffice record-keeper
- notaryDocument authentication official
stenographer · amanuensis · recorder · engrosser · secretary · scriptorium · manuscript · scroll · codex · transcription
calligrapher
Decorative handwriting artist
cursive · brushwork · handwriting · ornamental · swash · nib · quill · ink · stroke · letterform
- writersauthor, novelist, writer, poet, journalist
penmentypists
Those who keyboard professionally
keyboardists · word processors · dictators · stenographers · texters
penmenilliterates
People unable to read
scribblers · hacks · amateurs · bunglers
penmenreaders
Those who peruse text
audiences · recipients · listeners · viewers