The Diary of a Writer

work by Dostoyevsky

Also known as: “A Writer’s Diary”, “Dnevnik pisatelya”

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June 25, 2026

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The Diary of a Writer was a monthly journal published by Fyodor Dostoyevsky from 1873 to 1881. This work is considered an attempt to create a new literary genre, blending various forms of writing. Dostoyevsky served as the sole editor, publisher, and contributor.1

The journal contained a diverse range of material, including short stories, story ideas, autobiographical essays, pieces that blurred the lines between fiction and journalism, analyses of crimes, literary criticism, and political commentary. While popular and financially successful, its aesthetic success is debated, as Dostoyevsky's political views, which became increasingly extreme, often overshadowed his original design. He expressed beliefs about the collapse of Western Europe and the rise of Russia, and his writings included anti-Catholic and antisemitic sentiments.1

Notable works published within The Diary of a Writer include short stories like "The Meek One" and "The Dream of a Ridiculous Man," as well as autobiographical sketches such as "The Peasant Marey".1

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Fyodor Dostoyevsky
A Writer’s Diary and other works
In 1873 Dostoyevsky assumed the editorship of the conservative journal Grazhdanin (“The Citizen”), where he published an irregular column entitled “Dnevnik pisatelya” (“The Diary of a Writer”). He left Grazhdanin to write Podrostok (1875; A Raw Youth, also known…
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In 1873 Dostoyevsky assumed the editorship of the conservative journal Grazhdanin (“The Citizen”), where he published an irregular column entitled “Dnevnik pisatelya” (“The Diary of a Writer”). He left Grazhdanin to write Podrostok (1875; A Raw Youth, also known…
Read More

Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Early works of Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Three decades later, in The Diary of a Writer, Dostoyevsky recalled the story of his “discovery.” After completing Poor Folk, he gave a copy to his friend, Dmitry Grigorovich, who brought it to the poet Nikolay Nekrasov. Reading Dostoyevsky’s manuscript aloud, these two writers were overwhelmed by the work’s…
Read More
Three decades later, in The Diary of a Writer, Dostoyevsky recalled the story of his “discovery.” After completing Poor Folk, he gave a copy to his friend, Dmitry Grigorovich, who brought it to the poet Nikolay Nekrasov. Reading Dostoyevsky’s manuscript aloud, these two writers were overwhelmed by the work’s…
Read More