Jess Zafarris is the author of several books which focus on the history and power of words and language including Once Upon a Word (Rockridge Press 2020), Words from Hell (Chamber 2023) and Useless Etymology (Chambers October 2025). She has also contributed to The Game Master's Book of Legendary Locations (Media Lab Books 2025) and the tabletop game League of the Lexicon. Jess also teaches courses about social media, storytelling, and journalism at institutions such as Emerson College, where she is an adjunct professor. In addition, Jess has been profiled in the Boston Globe, quoted in The New York Times and The Guardian, interviewed on NPR, and appeared as a guest on many podcasts including Something You Should Know and Dear Hank and John.Shannon Miller is a writer and editor. She has worked as Adweek's managing editor of creativity, the creator economy and DEI and as The A.V. Club's news editor. A Miscellany of Weird and Wonderful Facts is her first book.

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Jess Zafarris is the author of several books which focus on the history and power of words and language including Once Upon a Word (Rockridge Press 2020), Words from Hell (Chamber 2023) and Useless Etymology (Chambers October 2025). She has also contributed to The Game Master's Book of Legendary Locations (Media Lab Books 2025) and the tabletop game League of the Lexicon. Jess also teaches courses about social media, storytelling, and journalism at institutions such as Emerson College, where she is an adjunct professor. In addition, Jess has been profiled in the Boston Globe, quoted in The New York Times and The Guardian, interviewed on NPR, and appeared as a guest on many podcasts including Something You Should Know and Dear Hank and John.Shannon Miller is a writer and editor. She has worked as Adweek's managing editor of creativity, the creator economy and DEI and as The A.V. Club's news editor. A Miscellany of Weird and Wonderful Facts is her first book.

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Jess Zafarris is the author of several books which focus on the history and power of words and language including Once Upon a Word (Rockridge Press 2020), Words from Hell (Chamber 2023) and Useless Etymology (Chambers October 2025). She has also contributed to The Game Master's Book of Legendary Locations (Media Lab Books 2025) and the tabletop game League of the Lexicon. Jess also teaches courses about social media, storytelling, and journalism at institutions such as Emerson College, where she is an adjunct professor. In addition, Jess has been profiled in the Boston Globe, quoted in The New York Times and The Guardian, interviewed on NPR, and appeared as a guest on many podcasts including Something You Should Know and Dear Hank and John.Shannon Miller is a writer and editor. She has worked as Adweek's managing editor of creativity, the creator economy and DEI and as The A.V. Club's news editor. A Miscellany of Weird and Wonderful Facts is her first book.

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