There are 66 authors that start with the letter A. From Aaliyah to Alan Lightman. Authors are individuals who create written works, spanning a broad range of genres and forms, including novels, short stories, poetry, essays, and plays. The role of an author can vary significantly depending on cultural and historical contexts, but they often serve as observers and commentators on society, weaving together themes of human experience through their narratives. Throughout history, authors have played a pivotal role in shaping cultural identities, influencing public opinion, and fostering literacy through their contributions. Notable authors often leave a lasting legacy, inspiring future generations of writers and readers alike.

An interesting fun fact about authors is that many of the most celebrated works in literature, such as “1984” by George Orwell and “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, were created under pseudonyms. Authors sometimes adopt alternate names to separate their writing identities from their personal lives, to avoid persecution, or to write in different genres without the constraints of their established reputation.

Here’s what each of the columns in the table means:

Column Name: Here, “nationality” refers to the country or countries with which the author is associated, reflecting their cultural background and influence.

Column Name: “Genre” denotes the specific category of literature to which the author’s works belong, such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or drama.

Column Name: “Notable works” lists significant titles authored by the individual, often recognized as their most important or influential contributions to literature.

Column Name: “Description” provides a brief summary of the author’s life, career, and contributions to literature, giving context to their significance as a writer.

Authors That Start With A

Authors nationality genre notable works
Aaliyah American R&B, pop ‘One in a Million’, ‘Try Again’
Aaron Allston American fiction, science fiction, fantasy Star Wars novels, Galactic Alliance series, The Azagh�l
Aaron Posner American playwright, director Stupidity, Stupid Fucking Bird, No Sisters
Abba Ancselovics Hungarian fiction, poetry The Sorrows of the Danube
Abbas Kiarostami Iranian Film ‘Close-Up’, ‘Taste of Cherry’
Abbe Faria Portuguese Theology, Philosophy ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’
Abbie Hoffman American Political Activism, Counterculture ‘Steal This Book’
Abdel Bari Atwan Palestinian Journalism ‘The Secret History of al-Qaeda’
Abdelkader Alloula Algerian Playwriting ‘The Condemned of Altona’, ‘The Mounted Patrol’
Abdelwahab Meddeb Tunisian Novels, essays ‘The Malady of Islam’, ‘Phantasia’
Abdullah Hussein Pakistani Novels, Short Stories ‘The Weary Generations’
Abdulrazak Gurnah Tanzanian Novels ‘Paradise’, ‘By the Sea’
Abe Kobo Japanese Novels, Plays ‘The Woman in the Dunes’
Abe Sada Japanese Autobiography ‘The Abe Sada Story’
Abeer Soliman Egyptian fiction, short stories The Secrets of the Place Where I Live, Dream Station
Abi Daoud Lebanese Poetry ‘Poems from the Lebanese War’
Abigail Adams American Correspondence Letters to John Adams
Abiola Irele Nigerian Literary Criticism, African Studies ‘The African Experience in Literature and Ideology’
Abioseh Nicol Sierra Leonean Novels, Short Stories ‘The Green Tortoise’
Abir Ballan Syrian fiction, poetry The Invention of the Finger, My Grandmother’s Orchid
Abner Dean American Cartoons, Humor ‘What Am I Doing Here?’
Abraham Cahan American Novels, Journalism ‘The Rise of David Levinsky’
Abraham Cowley English Poetry, Essays ‘The Mistress’
Abraham Verghese American Memoirs, Novels ‘My Own Country’, ‘Cutting for Stone’
Achmat Dangor South African fiction, poetry Kafka’s Curse, Bitter Fruit, Short Story: Race: South Africa’s Redox
Acton Smee Ayrton English Poetry, Literary Criticism ‘Poems’
Adam Bede English Novels ‘Adam Bede’
Adam Gopnik American Essays, Journalism ‘Paris to the Moon’
Adam Haslett American fiction, short stories Union Atlantic, You Are Not a Stranger Here
Adam Hochschild American History, Journalism ‘King Leopold’s Ghost’
Adam Johnson American Novels, Short Stories ‘The Orphan Master’s Son’
Adam Kirsch American Literary Criticism, Poetry ‘The Wounded Surgeon’
Adam Nicolson British History, Nature Writing ‘Sea Room’
Adam Phillips British Psychology, Essays ‘On Kissing, Tickling, and Being Bored’
Adelia Prado Brazilian Poetry ‘Homens Sem Fim’
Adelina Gurrea Filipino Poetry, Essays ‘Ang Aking Lupang Tinubuan’
Adeline Yen Mah Chinese-American Memoirs, Novels ‘Falling Leaves’
Adolfo Bioy Casares Argentine Novels, Short Stories ‘The Invention of Morel’
Adolfo Caminha Brazilian Novels, Short Stories ‘Bom-Crioulo’
Adolfo Couve Chilean Novels, Short Stories ‘Un Puente Sobre el �concagua’
Adomakoh Sofo Ghanaian Poetry ‘Drumbeats’
Adriaan van Dis Dutch Novels, Memoirs ‘Nathan Sid’
Adrienne Cecile Rich American Poetry, Essays ‘Diving into the Wreck’
Adrienne Kennedy American Plays ‘Funnyhouse of a Negro’
Adrienne Monnier French Memoirs, Literary Criticism ‘The Monnier Bookshop’
Adrienne Rich American Poetry, essays ‘Diving into the Wreck’, ‘Atlas of the Difficult World’
Aeschylus Greek Plays ‘The Oresteia’
Affonso Romano de Sant’Anna Brazilian Poetry, Literary Criticism ‘Poesia Sempre’
Agatha Christie British Novels, short stories ‘Murder on the Orient Express’, ‘And Then There Were None’
Agnes Smedley American Memoirs, Journalism ‘Battle Hymn of China’
Ahmad Shamlu Iranian Poetry ‘Hasht Ket�b’
Ahmad Zeitel Algerian Poetry, Novels ‘The Bullet and the Chalice’
Ahmed Essop South African Novels, Short Stories ‘The Visitation’
Ai American Poetry ‘Vice’
Aila Meriluoto Akram Mosharraf Alan Arkin Alan Garner
Aitmatov Chingiz Kyrgyz Novels, Short Stories ‘The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years’
Akira Kuroda Japanese Novels, Short Stories ‘Homecoming’
Akira Yoshimura Japanese Novels ‘Shower of Gold’
Alain de Botton Swiss-British Non-Fiction, Philosophy ‘The Consolations of Philosophy’
Alain Robbe-Grillet French Novels, Film ‘The Voyeur’
Alan Ayckbourn British Plays ‘The Norman Conquests’
Alan Bennett British Plays, Memoirs ‘The History Boys’
Alan Furst American Spy Novels ‘Night Soldiers’
Alan Garner British Novels, Folk Tales ‘The Owl Service’
Alan Hollinghurst British Novels ‘The Line of Beauty’
Alan Lightman American Novels, Non-Fiction ‘Einstein’s Dreams’

Descriptions

Aaliyah
Aaliyah was an American singer and actress who rose to fame in the 1990s. She released three studio albums, including the critically acclaimed ‘One in a Million’, before her tragic death in a plane crash at the age of 22.
Aaron Allston
American author known for his contributions to the Star Wars expanded universe, particularly his ‘Galactic Alliance’ series and his work on the ‘Legacy of the Force’ and ‘Fate of the Jedi’ novel arcs.
Aaron Posner
American playwright and director acclaimed for his modern adaptations of classic works, including a reinvention of Chekhov’s ‘The Seagull’ titled ‘Stupid Fucking Bird’.
Abba Ancselovics
Hungarian author known for his poetic and melancholic explorations of the human condition, as seen in his novel ‘The Sorrows of the Danube’.
Abbas Kiarostami
Abbas Kiarostami was an Iranian film director, screenwriter, photographer and film producer. He is regarded as one of the most influential film directors in the world.
Abbe Faria
Abbe Faria was a Portuguese priest, philosopher, and scholar who was imprisoned in the Ch�teau d’If by Napoleon’s regime. He is a notable character in ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ by Alexandre Dumas.
Abbie Hoffman
Abbie Hoffman was an American political and social activist who co-founded the ‘Youth International Party’ (Yippies). He was known for his counterculture activism and for writing the book ‘Steal This Book’.
Abdel Bari Atwan
Abdel Bari Atwan is a Palestinian journalist and editor-in-chief of the London-based newspaper ‘Al-Quds Al-Arabi’. He has written extensively on Islamist movements and terrorism.
Abdelkader Alloula
Abdelkader Alloula was an Algerian playwright and director who used his work to explore the complexities of Algerian identity and politics in the post-colonial era. His plays often tackled themes of social justice and the human condition.
Abdelwahab Meddeb
Abdelwahab Meddeb was a Tunisian writer, scholar, and intellectual who explored the intersections of Islam, politics, and culture. His works, including ‘The Malady of Islam’ and ‘Phantasia’, tackled complex issues of identity, religion, and the legacy of colonialism.
Abdullah Hussein
Abdullah Hussein was a prominent Pakistani novelist and short story writer. His most famous work is the novel ‘The Weary Generations’, which is considered a classic of Urdu literature.
Abdulrazak Gurnah
Abdulrazak Gurnah is a Tanzanian-British novelist and academic. His works, which include ‘Paradise’ and ‘By the Sea’, often explore themes of displacement, migration, and the legacy of colonialism. Gurnah was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2021.
Abe Kobo
Abe Kobo was a Japanese author, playwright, photographer and inventor. He is known for his surreal, often allegorical novels and plays, such as ‘The Woman in the Dunes’.
Abe Sada
Abe Sada was a Japanese woman who gained notoriety in 1936 for the sensational murder and emasculation of her lover. Her story was later published as an autobiography titled ‘The Abe Sada Story’.
Abeer Soliman
Egyptian author whose short stories and novels delve into the lives of everyday Egyptians, shedding light on the social and cultural realities of contemporary Egypt.
Abi Daoud
Abi Daoud was a Lebanese poet who wrote extensively about the Lebanese Civil War. His collection ‘Poems from the Lebanese War’ is considered a significant work in modern Arabic poetry.
Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams was the wife of the second U.S. President, John Adams, and the mother of the sixth president, John Quincy Adams. She is known for her extensive correspondence, particularly with her husband.
Abiola Irele
Abiola Irele was a Nigerian literary critic and scholar who made significant contributions to the field of African literature and cultural studies. His work ‘The African Experience in Literature and Ideology’ is considered a seminal text.
Abioseh Nicol
Abioseh Nicol was a Sierra Leonean novelist and short story writer. His work, such as the novel ‘The Green Tortoise’, explored the social and political challenges facing post-colonial Africa.
Abir Ballan
Syrian writer whose poetic and fictional works reflect the struggles and resilience of the Syrian people, drawing from personal experiences and the broader political and social upheaval in the region.
Abner Dean
Abner Dean was an American cartoonist and humorist known for his surreal and satirical cartoons, which were published in magazines like The New Yorker. His collection ‘What Am I Doing Here?’ is a compilation of his distinctive work.
Abraham Cahan
Abraham Cahan was a Belarusian-American novelist, journalist, and founder of the Yiddish-language newspaper ‘The Jewish Daily Forward’. His most famous work is the novel ‘The Rise of David Levinsky’, which explores the immigrant experience in the United States.
Abraham Cowley
Abraham Cowley was an English poet, essayist and a leading figure in the metaphysical poetry movement of the 17th century. His work, such as the collection ‘The Mistress’, is known for its wit, conceits and complex imagery.
Abraham Verghese
Abraham Verghese is an American physician, professor and author. He is known for his memoirs ‘My Own Country’ and the novel ‘Cutting for Stone’, which explore themes of medicine, migration and human relationships.
Achmat Dangor
South African writer whose works explore the complexities of identity, race, and the legacy of apartheid in post-colonial South Africa, as seen in his novel ‘Bitter Fruit’.
Acton Smee Ayrton
Acton Smee Ayrton was an English poet and literary critic. He published a collection of poems and was known for his critical essays on various literary topics.
Adam Bede
Adam Bede was the pseudonym of George Eliot, the renowned English novelist. Her novel ‘Adam Bede’ is considered one of the first works of literary realism and a classic of 19th-century English literature.
Adam Gopnik
Adam Gopnik is an American writer, essayist and commentator. He is known for his essays and journalism, particularly his work for ‘The New Yorker’, such as the collection ‘Paris to the Moon’.
Adam Haslett
American author acclaimed for his sensitive and empathetic portrayals of complex human relationships and emotions, as evidenced in his debut story collection ‘You Are Not a Stranger Here’.
Adam Hochschild
Adam Hochschild is an American author, journalist and historian. He is known for his books exploring social justice issues, such as the bestselling ‘King Leopold’s Ghost’, which examines the atrocities of Belgian colonial rule in the Congo.
Adam Johnson
Adam Johnson is an American writer known for his novels and short stories, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘The Orphan Master’s Son’, which explores life in North Korea.
Adam Kirsch
Adam Kirsch is an American poet, critic and scholar. He is known for his books of literary criticism, such as ‘The Wounded Surgeon’, as well as his own collections of poetry.
Adam Nicolson
Adam Nicolson is a British author known for his non-fiction works on history, literature and the natural world. His book ‘Sea Room’ is a celebrated account of his experiences living on the remote Scottish Shiant Isles.
Adam Phillips
Adam Phillips is a British psychoanalyst and author. He is known for his insightful essays and books that explore human psychology, such as ‘On Kissing, Tickling, and Being Bored’.
Adelia Prado
Adelia Prado is a Brazilian poet known for her contemplative and lyrical works, such as the collection ‘Homens Sem Fim’, which explores themes of spirituality, nature and the human condition.
Adelina Gurrea
Adelina Gurrea was a Filipino poet and essayist. She is considered a pioneer of modern Filipino literature, and her collection ‘Ang Aking Lupang Tinubuan’ is a significant work in the Philippine literary canon.
Adeline Yen Mah
Adeline Yen Mah is a Chinese-American author known for her memoir ‘Falling Leaves’, which recounts her challenging childhood in China under the shadow of a cruel stepmother. She has also written several novels.
Adolfo Bioy Casares
Adolfo Bioy Casares was an Argentine writer, best known for his novels and short stories, such as the science fiction classic ‘The Invention of Morel’, which influenced later works in the genre.
Adolfo Caminha
Adolfo Caminha was a Brazilian novelist and short story writer. His novel ‘Bom-Crioulo’, which explores the themes of homosexuality and race in 19th-century Brazil, is considered a landmark work of Brazilian literature.
Adolfo Couve
Adolfo Couve was a Chilean writer known for his novels and short stories, such as ‘Un Puente Sobre el �concagua’, which blend realism and surrealism to explore the complexities of modern life.
Adomakoh Sofo
Adomakoh Sofo was a Ghanaian poet who published the collection ‘Drumbeats’, which explored themes of African identity, culture and the post-colonial experience.
Adriaan van Dis
Adriaan van Dis is a Dutch author known for his novels and memoirs, such as ‘Nathan Sid’, which blends autobiographical elements with fictional narratives to examine themes of family, identity and displacement.
Adrienne Cecile Rich
Adrienne Cecile Rich was an American poet, essayist and feminist. She is known for her groundbreaking poetry collections, such as ‘Diving into the Wreck’, which explored themes of gender, politics and social justice.
Adrienne Kennedy
Adrienne Kennedy is an American playwright known for her experimental and introspective works, such as the play ‘Funnyhouse of a Negro’, which delves into issues of race, identity and psychological fragmentation.
Adrienne Monnier
Adrienne Monnier was a French bookseller, publisher and critic who played a significant role in the literary and cultural life of Paris in the early 20th century. Her memoir ‘The Monnier Bookshop’ provides a unique insider’s perspective on the city’s vibrant literary scene.
Adrienne Rich
Adrienne Rich was an American poet, essayist, and feminist activist. Her poetry and prose often addressed themes of gender, sexuality, and social justice, and she was a influential figure in the feminist and LGBTQ+ movements. Her most notable works include ‘Diving into the Wreck’ and ‘Atlas of the Difficult World’.
Aeschylus
Aeschylus was an ancient Greek playwright, often described as the father of tragedy. His most famous work is the trilogy ‘The Oresteia’, which explores themes of justice, vengeance and the human condition.
Affonso Romano de Sant’Anna
Affonso Romano de Sant’Anna was a Brazilian poet, essayist and literary critic. He is known for his poetry collections, such as ‘Poesia Sempre’, as well as his influential critical works on Brazilian literature.
Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie was a prolific British writer known for her detective fiction. She is considered the Queen of Mystery and is one of the most widely published authors of all time, with her works including the iconic ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ and ‘And Then There Were None’.
Agnes Smedley
Agnes Smedley was an American writer, journalist and political activist. She is best known for her memoir ‘Battle Hymn of China’, which chronicled her experiences in China during the nationalist and communist revolutions.
Ahmad Shamlu
Ahmad Shamlu was an influential Iranian poet and literary critic who played a significant role in the development of modern Persian poetry. His poetry collection ‘Hasht Ket�b’ is considered a landmark work in Iranian literature.
Ahmad Zeitel
Ahmad Zeitel was an Algerian author who wrote poetry and novels that often addressed themes of political and social upheaval in his home country, such as the novel ‘The Bullet and the Chalice’.
Ahmed Essop
Ahmed Essop was a South African writer known for his novels and short stories that explored the complexities of life under apartheid, such as the novel ‘The Visitation’.
Ai
Ai was the pen name of American poet Florence Anthony, known for her bold, confessional poetry that delved into themes of violence, sexuality and the human condition, as seen in her collection ‘Vice’.
Aila Meriluoto
Alan Hollinghurst
Aitmatov Chingiz
Aitmatov Chingiz was a prominent Kyrgyz author who wrote novels and short stories that explored the cultural and political upheavals of the 20th century. His novel ‘The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years’ is considered a classic of Soviet and world literature.
Akira Kuroda
Akira Kuroda was a Japanese novelist and short story writer known for his works that explored themes of identity, displacement and the human condition, such as the short story collection ‘Homecoming’.
Akira Yoshimura
Akira Yoshimura was a Japanese novelist who wrote works that often reflected on the impact of modernization and industrialization on traditional Japanese society, as seen in his novel ‘Shower of Gold’.
Alain de Botton
Alain de Botton is a Swiss-British philosopher and author known for his accessible and insightful non-fiction works that apply philosophical ideas to everyday life, such as the book ‘The Consolations of Philosophy’.
Alain Robbe-Grillet
Alain Robbe-Grillet was a French novelist, filmmaker and theorist who was a leading figure in the nouveau roman (new novel) movement, which sought to challenge traditional narrative structures. His novel ‘The Voyeur’ is a classic example of his experimental, detached writing style.
Alan Ayckbourn
Alan Ayckbourn is a prolific British playwright known for his comedic plays that explore the complexities of middle-class life, such as the acclaimed trilogy ‘The Norman Conquests’.
Alan Bennett
Alan Bennett is a renowned British playwright, screenwriter, actor and author. He is known for his witty and insightful works, including the play ‘The History Boys’ and his memoir ‘Writing Home’.
Alan Furst
Alan Furst is an American author of historical spy novels, often set in Europe during the years preceding and during World War II. His novel ‘Night Soldiers’ is considered one of his most acclaimed works in the genre.
Alan Garner
Alan Garner is a British novelist and folklorist known for his children’s and young adult fantasy novels that draw on British mythology and folklore, such as ‘The Owl Service’.
Alan Hollinghurst
Alan Hollinghurst is a British novelist known for his novels that explore themes of sexuality, class and social change, such as the Booker Prize-winning ‘The Line of Beauty’.
Alan Lightman
Alan Lightman is an American novelist, essayist and physicist. He is known for his novels that blend science and philosophy,

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