There are 56 authors that start with the letter O. From O’Brien, Dan to Ouellette-Michalska, Madeleine. 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 O

Authors nationality genre notable works
O‘Brien, Dan American non-fiction, memoir ‘The Life of Ian Fleming’, ‘The Man Who Never Was’
O‘Brien, Edna Irish fiction, drama ‘The Country Girls’, ‘The Love Object’
O‘Brien, Flann Irish Fiction, Satire At Swim-Two-Birds, The Third Policeman
O‘Brien, Tim American fiction, war literature ‘The Things They Carried’, ‘Going After Cacciato’
O‘Casey, Sean Irish Drama The Shadow of a Gunman, Juno and the Paycock
O‘Connor, Flannery American short stories, novels ‘A Good Man Is Hard to Find’, ‘Wise Blood’
O‘Connor, Frank Irish Short Stories, Memoirs Guests of the Nation, My Oedipus Complex
O‘Dell, Scott American Children’s Fiction Island of the Blue Dolphins, The Black Pearl
O‘Faolain, Sean Irish Fiction, Biographies The Broken Sword, De Valera
O‘Farrell, Maggie British Fiction ‘Hamnet’, ‘The Hand That First Held Mine’
O‘Flaherty, Liam Irish Fiction The Informer, The Sniper
O‘Hara, John American Fiction Appointment in Samarra, BUtterfield 8
O‘Neill, Eugene American Drama Long Day’s Journey into Night, The Iceman Cometh
O‘Sullivan, Seumas Irish Poetry Poems, My Ireland
Oakley, Ann British Non-fiction ‘The Female Eunuch’
Oates, Joyce Carol American Fiction, Poetry ‘Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?’, ‘Them’, ‘The Gravedigger’s Daughter’
Obata, Hiroshi Japanese manga artist ‘Death Note’, ‘Bakuman’
Oberon, Sallie Australian historical fiction ‘Alchemy’,’The Healing Party’
Oberst, Conor American singer-songwriter ‘I Feel So’,’Fall Be Kind’
Obeyesekere, Gananath Sri Lankan anthropology, history, religion ‘The Work of Culture’, ‘Cannibal Talk’
Ocampo, Silvina Argentine short stories, poetry ‘Where There’s Fire’, ‘Through the Woods’
Ocean Vuong American poetry, fiction ‘Night Sky with Exit Wounds’, ‘On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous’
Ochs, Phil American singer-songwriter, political folk music ‘I Ain’t Marching Anymore’, ‘Changes’
Odajnyk, Walter American psychology, philosophy ‘Jung and Politics’, ‘Individuation and Narcissism’
Odawara, Risa Japanese manga artist ‘Kaguya-sama: Love Is War’, ‘Hayato’s Demon Girlfriend’
Oechsli, Oliver Swiss Fiction, Nonfiction ‘The Suicide Shop’, ‘The Lonely Planet Guide to the Centre of the Earth’
Oesterreicher, Irmgard Austrian fiction, historical fiction ‘The Murderer’s Daughter’, ‘The Empress and the Architect’
Ofili, Chris British Poetry ‘Venus’, ‘Weeping Woman’
Ogai, Mori Japanese fiction, non-fiction ‘The Wild Geese’, ‘Vita Sexualis’
Ogawa, Yoko Japanese Fiction ‘The Housekeeper and the Professor’, ‘The Memory Police’
Ogawa, Yuriko Japanese manga artist ‘My Little Monster’, ‘Hirunaka no Ryuusei’
Ogiwara, Noriko Japanese fantasy fiction ‘The Five Kingdom Chronicles’, ‘Torikagosou no Ki’
Ohba, Tsugumi Japanese manga writer ‘Death Note’, ‘Bakuman’
Okada, John American Fiction No-No Boy
Okorafor, Nnedi Nigerian-American Fiction, Science Fiction ‘Who Fears Death’, ‘Binti’
Okri, Ben Nigerian Fiction, Poetry The Famished Road, Songs of Enchantment
Olafsson, Olaf Icelandic Fiction ‘One station Away’, ‘The Resurrection of the Body’
Oldenborg, Nils Swedish fiction, non-fiction ‘The Naked and the Dead’, ‘On Heroes and Tombs’
Oliphant, Margaret Scottish Fiction Carlingford Chronicles, The Perpetual Curate
Oliveira, Ana Portuguese Fiction ‘The House in the Cerulean Sea’
Olmert, Ehud Israeli political memoir ‘My Country, My Life: Fighting for Israel, Searching for Peace’
Ondaatje, Christopher Canadian Biographies, Travel Writing Shiva Naipaul: Brother of a Genius, Lost and Found in Sri Lanka
Ondaatje, Michael Canadian Fiction, Poetry The English Patient, Anil’s Ghost
Ondjaki Angolan Fiction, Poetry Good Morning Comrades, Transparent City
Onions, Oliver British Fiction The Compleat Bachelor, Ghost Stories of an Antiquary
Oppen, George American Poetry Of Being Numerous, New Collected Poems
Orczy, Baroness Emmuska Hungarian-British Fiction The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Elusive Pimpernel
Orford, Margie South African Crime Fiction, Nonfiction Like Clockwork, Stained
Orhan, Pamuk Turkish Fiction, Memoirs Snow, The Museum of Innocence
Orlean, Susan American Nonfiction, Journalism The Orchid Thief, Rin Tin Tin
Ormerod, Jan Australian Children’s Books Sunshine, Moonlight
Orr, Gregory American Poetry The Caged Owl, Concerning the Book that is the Body of the Beloved
Ortiz Cofer, Judith Puerto Rican-American Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction Silent Dancing, The Latin Deli
Orwell, George British Fiction, Nonfiction Nineteen Eighty-Four, Animal Farm
Otsuka, Julie American Fiction The Buddha in the Attic, When the Emperor Was Divine
Ouellette-Michalska, Madeleine Canadian Fiction, Nonfiction L’Aphonie, Quand la nuit danse

Descriptions

O‘Brien, Dan
Acclaimed American author and journalist, known for his biographies and non-fiction works exploring espionage, history, and the lives of notable figures.
O‘Brien, Edna
Renowned Irish writer, known for her exploration of the lives of women in Ireland, her lyrical prose, and her challenging of societal norms.
O‘Brien, Flann
Flann O’Brien was an Irish novelist, playwright, essayist, and satirist. He is regarded as one of the most original and innovative writers of the 20th century, with works that often challenge the boundaries of realism and metafiction.
O‘Brien, Tim
American author and Vietnam War veteran, acclaimed for his fictional works that delve into the experiences and psychological impact of the Vietnam War.
O‘Casey, Sean
Sean O’Casey was an Irish dramatist who was a major figure in the Abbey Theatre. His plays are known for their realistic portrayal of the Irish working class and their struggles during the Irish Civil War.
O‘Connor, Flannery
American author, known for her distinctive Southern Gothic style and her exploration of moral and religious themes through the lens of the grotesque.
O‘Connor, Frank
Frank O’Connor was an Irish short story writer, novelist, and memoirist. He is known for his vivid depictions of Irish life and his exploration of themes such as isolation, community, and the complexities of human relationships.
O‘Dell, Scott
Scott O’Dell was an American children’s author who is best known for his historical novels, including the Newbery Medal-winning ‘Island of the Blue Dolphins’ and ‘The Black Pearl’, which explores themes of survival and the human spirit.
O‘Faolain, Sean
Sean O’Faolain was an Irish short story writer, novelist, and biographer. He is known for his vivid depictions of Irish life and his exploration of the complexities of Irish identity and history.
O‘Farrell, Maggie
Acclaimed British novelist whose works often focus on family dynamics, grief, and the complexities of human relationships, such as the award-winning novels ‘Hamnet’ and ‘The Hand That First Held Mine’.
O‘Flaherty, Liam
Liam O’Flaherty was an Irish novelist and short story writer who is known for his gritty, realistic portrayals of Irish life, particularly during the Irish Civil War. His works often explore themes of political and social upheaval.
O‘Hara, John
John O’Hara was an American writer who is known for his insightful and cynical portrayals of the American upper class. His novels and short stories often explore themes of social class, moral ambiguity, and the complexities of human relationships.
O‘Neill, Eugene
Eugene O’Neill was an American playwright who is considered one of the greatest dramatists of the 20th century. His works are known for their psychological depth, complex characters, and exploration of themes such as family, addiction, and the human condition.
O‘Sullivan, Seumas
Seumas O’Sullivan was an Irish poet and editor who was a key figure in the Irish literary revival of the early 20th century. His poetry is known for its lyrical expression of Irish nationalism and the natural world.
Oakley, Ann
Feminist writer who challenged traditional gender roles and norms in her groundbreaking work ‘The Female Eunuch’, which became a landmark of second-wave feminism.
Oates, Joyce Carol
Prolific author known for her Gothic narratives, social realism, and exploration of violence and darkness in American life.
Obata, Hiroshi
Highly acclaimed manga artist known for creating suspenseful and psychologically complex stories, often exploring themes of morality and justice.
Oberon, Sallie
Australian author who writes historical novels exploring themes of identity, family, and the complexities of human relationships.
Oberst, Conor
Indie rock musician and singer-songwriter, known for his introspective and emotive lyrics, often drawing from personal experiences.
Obeyesekere, Gananath
Anthropologist who studies the cultural practices and beliefs of South Asia, particularly in Sri Lanka. Known for his critiques of Western assumptions about non-Western cultures.
Ocampo, Silvina
Argentine writer and poet, known for her surreal and dreamlike style, often exploring themes of the subconscious and the uncanny.
Ocean Vuong
Vietnamese-American poet and novelist whose works explore themes of identity, sexuality, and the immigrant experience. Acclaimed for his lyrical and evocative writing style.
Ochs, Phil
American singer-songwriter and political activist, known for his protest songs that addressed social and political issues of the 1960s.
Odajnyk, Walter
Psychologist and scholar who specialized in the work of Carl Jung, writing extensively on Jung’s ideas and their applications to politics, culture, and personal development.
Odawara, Risa
Acclaimed Japanese manga artist, known for her romantic comedy series that blend humor, wit, and complex character dynamics.
Oechsli, Oliver
Swiss author and journalist known for his satirical and darkly humorous works that often explore themes of death and the human condition.
Oesterreicher, Irmgard
Austrian author who writes historical novels that delve into the lives of historical figures and explore the complexities of power, identity, and relationships.
Ofili, Chris
Poet and artist whose work often addresses issues of race, identity, and social justice, drawing on both Western and African literary and cultural traditions.
Ogai, Mori
Pioneering Japanese author and physician, known for his literary works that explore the clash between traditional Japanese culture and Western modernization.
Ogawa, Yoko
Japanese author whose subtle, contemplative novels often explore themes of memory, loss, and the human condition, including the acclaimed ‘The Housekeeper and the Professor’ and ‘The Memory Police’.
Ogawa, Yuriko
Acclaimed Japanese manga artist, known for her romantic comedy series that delve into the emotional complexities of relationships and personal growth.
Ogiwara, Noriko
Japanese fantasy author, known for her epic fantasy series that blend traditional Japanese mythology with intricate worldbuilding and complex character dynamics.
Ohba, Tsugumi
Acclaimed Japanese manga writer, known for her collaborative works with artist Takeshi Obata, exploring themes of morality, justice, and the power of intellect.
Okada, John
John Okada was an American novelist of Japanese descent. His novel ‘No-No Boy’ is considered a seminal work of Asian-American literature, exploring the experiences of Japanese Americans during and after World War II.
Okorafor, Nnedi
Nigerian-American author known for her Afrofuturistic and speculative fiction works that blend African mythology, science, and social commentary, such as the award-winning novels ‘Who Fears Death’ and the ‘Binti’ trilogy.
Okri, Ben
Ben Okri is a Nigerian author known for his magical realist fiction and poetry. His works often explore themes of spirituality, identity, and the African experience, blending elements of folklore and mythology with contemporary issues.
Olafsson, Olaf
Icelandic author whose novels often explore the complexities of human relationships and the impact of memory and loss, including the critically acclaimed ‘One Station Away’ and ‘The Resurrection of the Body’.
Oldenborg, Nils
Swedish author and journalist who wrote extensively on politics, culture, and social issues, often from a left-wing perspective. His works included both fiction and non-fiction.
Oliphant, Margaret
Margaret Oliphant was a prolific Scottish novelist, biographer, and essayist of the Victorian era. Her novels often focused on the lives of middle-class families and the challenges they faced, with an eye toward social commentary.
Oliveira, Ana
Portuguese author whose debut novel ‘The House in the Cerulean Sea’ has been praised for its whimsical, heartwarming storytelling and exploration of themes like found family and acceptance.
Olmert, Ehud
Former Prime Minister of Israel who wrote a memoir recounting his political career, including his role in the peace process with the Palestinians and his experiences in government.
Ondaatje, Christopher
Christopher Ondaatje is a Canadian author, explorer, and philanthropist who is known for his biographies, travel writing, and contributions to the arts and culture. His works often examine the complexities of identity and the human experience in diverse cultural contexts.
Ondaatje, Michael
Michael Ondaatje is a Canadian writer of Sri Lankan origin known for his lyrical, poetic prose and his exploration of themes such as identity, memory, and the impact of war. His works, including the Booker Prize-winning ‘The English Patient’, blend fact and fiction to create a unique and evocative reading experience.
Ondjaki
Ondjaki is an Angolan writer of fiction, poetry, and children’s literature. His works often explore the social and political realities of Angola, with a focus on the experiences of ordinary people and the impact of historical events on their lives.
Onions, Oliver
Oliver Onions was a British writer known for his ghost stories and psychological thrillers. His works often explore the darker, more unsettling aspects of human nature and the supernatural, blending elements of the Gothic and the uncanny.
Oppen, George
George Oppen was an American poet associated with the Objectivist movement. His minimalist, austere poetry is known for its exploration of language, perception, and the nature of reality, often drawing on philosophical and phenomenological themes.
Orczy, Baroness Emmuska
Baroness Emmuska Orczy was a Hungarian-British writer and artist best known for her novel ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’, a swashbuckling adventure story set during the French Revolution. Her works often featured heroic, aristocratic protagonists and explored themes of patriotism, heroism, and social class.
Orford, Margie
Margie Orford is a South African author known for her crime fiction and nonfiction works examining issues of gender-based violence, human rights, and social justice in post-apartheid South Africa. Her novels often feature the investigative journalist Clare Hart as the protagonist.
Orhan, Pamuk
Orhan Pamuk is a Turkish novelist, screenwriter, and academic who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2006. His works often explore themes of identity, memory, and the tensions between modernity and tradition in Turkey, blending elements of realism and postmodernism.
Orlean, Susan
Susan Orlean is an American journalist and nonfiction writer known for her in-depth, immersive reporting and her ability to find the extraordinary in the ordinary. Her works, such as ‘The Orchid Thief’ and ‘Rin Tin Tin’, combine meticulous research with vivid storytelling to shed light on diverse subjects and cultural phenomena.
Ormerod, Jan
Jan Ormerod was an Australian children’s book author and illustrator known for her simple, poetic picture books that captured the everyday experiences and emotions of young children. Her works, such as ‘Sunshine’ and ‘Moonlight’, are celebrated for their warmth, sensitivity, and distinctive visual style.
Orr, Gregory
Gregory Orr is an American poet known for his lyrical, introspective works that explore themes of trauma, nature, and the human experience. His poems often draw on personal experiences and seek to find meaning and redemption in the face of adversity.
Ortiz Cofer, Judith
Judith Ortiz Cofer was a Puerto Rican-American writer who explored themes of identity, culture, and the immigrant experience in her poetry, fiction, and nonfiction works. Her writings often drew on her own experiences growing up in a bilingual, bicultural household and navigating the complexities of her hyphenated identity.
Orwell, George
George Orwell was a British writer and journalist known for his novels and essays that explored issues of social injustice, political oppression, and the corrupting influence of power. His works, such as ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ and ‘Animal Farm’, are widely regarded as literary classics and influential works of social commentary.
Otsuka, Julie
Julie Otsuka is an American novelist known for her lyrical, poetic prose and her exploration of the Japanese-American experience. Her novels, such as ‘The Buddha in the Attic’ and ‘When the Emperor Was Divine’, blend historical events with fictional narratives to shed light on the complexities of identity, displacement, and the human condition.
Ouellette-Michalska, Madeleine
Madeleine Ouellette-Michalska is a Canadian author known for her novels and nonfiction works that explore themes of identity, language, and the human experience. Her writings often draw on her own experiences as a French-Canadian woman and her engagement with philosophical and literary traditions.

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