A minor or insignificant author, or a writer who is just beginning their career.
From 'author' (from Latin 'auctor' meaning 'creator') combined with the diminutive suffix '-ling' (from Old English, meaning 'small' or 'subordinate'). The suffix became popular in English for denoting lesser versions of things.
This word perfectly captures how languages create hierarchy—just like 'duckling' is a small duck, 'authorling' is a small author. Medieval scribes probably used similar diminutives to describe their apprentices, showing how language mirrors social status.
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