There are 70 authors that start with the letter R. From Rabee Jaber to Ryszard Wojciechowski. 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 R

Authors nationality genre notable works
Rabee Jaber Lebanese Novels The Druze of Belgrade, America, Confessions
Rabih Alameddine Radhika Jha Rana Dasgupta Randall Kenan
Rabindranath Tagore Indian Poetry, Novels, Short Stories, Plays Gitanjali, The Home and the World, Chokher Bali
Rachel Cusk British Fiction, Non-fiction Outline, Transit, Kudos
Rachel Heng Singaporean fiction ‘Suicide Club’
Rachel Ingalls American Fiction Mrs. Caliban
Rachel Joyce British fiction ‘The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry’, ‘The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy’
Rachel Kushner American Fiction The Flamethrowers, The Mars Room
Radclyffe Hall British Novels The Well of Loneliness
Rae Armantrout American Poetry Versed, Money Shot, Partly: New and Selected Poems
Rae Meadows American Novels I Will Send Rain, Mothers and Daughters, No One Tells You This
Raffi Khatchadourian American Non-Fiction The Colony: The Harrowing True Story of the Exiles of Molokai, Private Empire: ExxonMobil and American Power
Rainer Maria Rilke Austrian Poetry Duino Elegies, Letters to a Young Poet, The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge
Rajaa Alsanea Saudi Arabian fiction ‘Girls of Riyadh’
Rajeev Balasubramanyam British-Indian Novels, Short Stories Professor Chandra Follows His Bliss, In the Depths of the Sea
Ralph Ellison American Fiction Invisible Man
Ram Devineni Indian Graphic Novels Priya’s Shakti, Priya’s Mirror
Ramona Ausubel American Fiction No One Is Here Except All of Us, Sons and Daughters of Ease and Plenty, A Guide to Being Born
Rana Dasgupta British-Indian Novels, Non-Fiction Solo, Capital
Randa Jarrar American Fiction, Nonfiction A Map of Home, Him, Me, Muhammad Ali
Ransom Riggs American young adult fiction ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children’ series
Raphael Bob-Waksberg American Fiction, Comedy BoJack Horseman, Animals
Rashid Khalidi American non-fiction ‘The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine’, ‘Resurrecting Empire’
Ravinder Singh Indian Novels, Non-Fiction I Too Had a Love Story, Love Stories That Touched My Heart, Your Dreams Are Mine Now
Ray Bradbury American Science Fiction, Fantasy Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles, The Illustrated Man
Ray Carver American Short Stories What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, Cathedral
Raymond Williams British Literary Criticism, Social Theory Culture and Society, The Country and the City, Keywords
Rebecca Roanhorse American Fantasy, Science Fiction Trail of Lightning, Black Sun
Redmond O’Hanlon British Travel Writing, Non-Fiction Into the Heart of Borneo, No Mercy, Congo Journey
Refugee(s) Various Non-Fiction, Memoirs The Lightless Sky by Gulwali Passarlay, The Ungrateful Refugee by Dina Nayeri, The Displaced by Viet Thanh Nguyen
Reggie Nadelson American Mystery, Crime Fiction Surfeit of Guns, Red Mercury Blues
Reif Larsen American Novels The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet, I Am Not Sidney Poitier
Reinaldo Arenas Cuban Novels, Poetry, Memoirs Before Night Falls, The Color of Summer, Hallucinations
Reinhard Jirgl German Novels The Unguarded House, Abschied von den Feinden, The Conquest of Central Europe
Reinhard Kleist German Graphic Novels, Biographies Cash: I See a Darkness, The Boxer
Ren Iwasaki Japanese Fiction, Poetry The Rabbit Listened, We Are Okay
Rene Denfeld American Novels The Child Finder, The Enchanted, The Butterfly Girl
Reni Eddo-Lodge British Nonfiction Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race
Reva Mann Israeli Memoirs, Non-Fiction The Rabbi’s Daughter, My Unorthodox Life
Reza Aslan American Non-Fiction Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth, No god but God, God: A Human History
Rhian Ellis American Novels After the Bloom, The Lost Recipe for Happiness, The Trouble with Normal
Rhiannon Navin American Fiction Only Child, The Shining Wall
Rhys Hughes British Fantasy, Humor Worming the Harpy, Tallest Stories
Rice Burroughs American Science Fiction, Adventure Tarzan series, John Carter of Mars series
Richard Ford American Fiction The Sportswriter, Independence Day
Richard Kadrey American Fantasy, Horror Sandman Slim series
Richard Lange American Fiction This Wicked World, Angel Baby
Richard Rodriguez American Non-Fiction, Memoirs Hunger of Memory, Days of Obligation, Brown: The Last Discovery of America
Richard Russo American Novels, Short Stories Empire Falls, Nobody’s Fool, Bridge of Sighs
Richie Narvaez American Mystery, Fiction Hipster Death Rattle, Holly Hernandez and the Death of Disco
Rin Chupeco Filipino-American Fantasy, Young Adult The Girl from the Well, The Bone Witch
Roald Dahl British Children’s Literature, Short Stories Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG
Roanhorse, Rebecca American Fantasy, Science Fiction Trail of Lightning, Black Sun
Rob Bell American Nonfiction, Religion Love Wins, What Is the Bible?
Robert Alterbridge American Non-Fiction The Wisdom of the Talmud, The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary
Robert Fagles American Translations The Iliad, The Odyssey, The Aeneid
Robert Macfarlane British Non-Fiction, Travel Writing The Old Ways, Underland, Landmarks
Robin Robertson Scottish Poetry A Painted Field, Swithering, The Long Take
Roddy Doyle Irish Novels, Short Stories The Barrytown Trilogy, The Woman Who Walked into Doors, Smile
Rohinton Mistry Canadian Novels, Short Stories A Fine Balance, Family Matters, Tales from Firozsha Baag
Romain Rolland French Novels, Biographies Jean-Christophe, Beethoven the Creator
Ron Chernow American Biographies Alexander Hamilton, Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr., Washington: A Life
Ron Rash American Fiction, Poetry Serena, The Cove, Above the Waterfall
Rosellen Brown American Novels, Short Stories Civil Wars, Before and After, A Conversation with My Father
Rosemary Sutcliff British Historical Fiction, Children’s Literature The Eagle of the Ninth, Tristan and Iseult, The Lantern Bearers
Rupert Thomson British Novels The Insult, The Divided Kingdom, Death of a Murderer
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala British-Indian Novels, Screenplays Heat and Dust, The Householder, Esmond in India
Ruth Rendell British Crime Fiction, Psychological Thriller Inspector Wexford series, A Judgement in Stone, The Crocodile Bird
Rybakov Anatoly Russian Historical Fiction, Children’s Literature Children of the Arbat, The Arbat Trilogy
Ryszard Wojciechowski Polish Novels, Short Stories The Bright Side of Life, The Conqueror, No One Was Looking

Descriptions

Rabee Jaber
A prominent Lebanese novelist, renowned for his intricate and richly textured narratives that explore the intersections of history, identity, and the human experience, often drawing inspiration from the tumultuous political and social landscape of the Middle East.
Rabih Alameddine
Randall Silvis
Rabindranath Tagore
A renowned Bengali polymath who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, pioneering new forms of Indian writing and renowned for his profound lyrical and philosophical works.
Rachel Cusk
A critically acclaimed contemporary novelist known for her experimental and psychologically perceptive works exploring themes of identity, relationships, and the human experience.
Rachel Heng
Singaporean author whose debut novel ‘Suicide Club’ is a speculative fiction tale exploring transhumanism and the pursuit of immortality.
Rachel Ingalls
Rachel Ingalls was an American author known for her surreal, imaginative fiction. Her most famous work, ‘Mrs. Caliban’, is a novella that blends elements of fantasy and realism to tell the story of a woman’s relationship with a sea monster.
Rachel Joyce
British author best known for her novels exploring themes of personal growth, loss, and the transformative power of human connections.
Rachel Kushner
Rachel Kushner is an American novelist acclaimed for her vivid, meticulously researched novels that explore themes of art, politics, and the human experience. Her novels ‘The Flamethrowers’ and ‘The Mars Room’ have received widespread critical acclaim.
Radclyffe Hall
A British author and poet, known for her pioneering novel ‘The Well of Loneliness,’ which was one of the first openly lesbian-themed works in English literature and a landmark in LGBTQ+ literature.
Rae Armantrout
A Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet, known for her innovative and intellectually challenging works that often engage with the complexities of language, technology, and the fragmented nature of contemporary life.
Rae Meadows
An American novelist whose works blend historical fiction, family drama, and compelling character studies, often exploring themes of resilience, loss, and the transformative power of human connections.
Raffi Khatchadourian
An acclaimed American journalist and non-fiction writer, known for his deeply researched and insightful explorations of complex social, environmental, and political issues, often shedding light on overlooked or underreported stories and their far-reaching consequences.
Rainer Maria Rilke
A renowned German-language poet, known for his deeply introspective and lyrical works that delve into themes of transcendence, existentialism, and the complexity of the human experience.
Rajaa Alsanea
Saudi Arabian author whose debut novel ‘Girls of Riyadh’ provided a rare glimpse into the lives of young Saudi women navigating societal norms and expectations.
Rajeev Balasubramanyam
A British-Indian novelist and short story writer, whose works blend elements of humor, satire, and emotional depth to explore the complexities of identity, belonging, and the human search for meaning in an increasingly globalized world.
Ralph Ellison
A pioneering African-American novelist, celebrated for his groundbreaking novel ‘Invisible Man,’ which explores the themes of racial identity, social alienation, and the human search for meaning in a complex world.
Ram Devineni
Ram Devineni is an Indian author and filmmaker known for creating the award-winning ‘Priya’ graphic novel series, which uses the superhero Priya to raise awareness about social issues such as sexual assault and environmental degradation.
Ramona Ausubel
A contemporary American author known for her imaginative and lyrical fiction that blends elements of magical realism, fable, and historical narrative to explore themes of family, identity, and the human experience.
Rana Dasgupta
A British-Indian author and essayist, known for his richly imagined and genre-defying works that explore the complexities of identity, globalization, and the transformative power of human relationships in the modern world.
Randa Jarrar
Randa Jarrar is an American writer known for her debut novel ‘A Map of Home’ and her collection of personal essays ‘Him, Me, Muhammad Ali’. Her work explores themes of identity, family, and the immigrant experience.
Ransom Riggs
American author known for his best-selling young adult fantasy series ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children’, which blends vintage photography with imaginative storytelling.
Raphael Bob-Waksberg
Raphael Bob-Waksberg is an American writer, producer, and director best known as the creator of the Netflix animated series ‘BoJack Horseman’. His work often blends dark comedy with thoughtful explorations of mental health and interpersonal relationships.
Rashid Khalidi
Palestinian-American historian and political commentator who writes extensively on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Middle Eastern politics, and the legacy of colonialism.
Ravinder Singh
A popular Indian author, known for his heartwarming and emotionally resonant novels that offer poignant explorations of love, loss, and the transformative power of human relationships.
Ray Bradbury
A highly influential science fiction and fantasy author, celebrated for his visionary and imaginative tales that often explore the human condition and the impact of technology on society.
Ray Carver
A minimalist short story writer who is considered a master of the form, known for his spare and poignant depictions of ordinary people navigating the complexities of life.
Raymond Williams
A renowned British cultural theorist and literary critic, whose influential works helped establish the field of cultural studies and provided groundbreaking analyses of the complex interplay between literature, culture, and social change.
Rebecca Roanhorse
Rebecca Roanhorse is an American author who writes speculative fiction exploring indigenous cultures and mythologies. Her debut novel ‘Trail of Lightning’ was a winner of the Nebula and Hugo Awards, establishing her as a prominent voice in the genre.
Redmond O’Hanlon
A British travel writer and natural historian, known for his humorous and adventurous accounts of his expeditions to remote and challenging environments, often in search of rare or elusive species.
Refugee(s)
A collection of non-fiction works by and about refugees, offering firsthand accounts and insights into the experiences of those who have been forcibly displaced from their homes due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters.
Reggie Nadelson
Reggie Nadelson is an American author known for her crime fiction and mystery novels, including the ‘Artie Cohen’ series set in New York City. Her books blend suspenseful plots with rich character development and insightful social commentary.
Reif Larsen
An American novelist known for his imaginative and genre-defying works that often incorporate elements of magical realism, scientific exploration, and unconventional narrative structures to examine the complexities of identity, family, and the human experience.
Reinaldo Arenas
A Cuban novelist, poet, and memoirist, whose works often explored themes of political oppression, sexuality, and the human struggle for freedom under the Castro regime, for which he was persecuted and ultimately exiled.
Reinhard Jirgl
A German novelist whose works are renowned for their experimental and politically charged narratives, often exploring the themes of historical trauma, social alienation, and the search for individual and collective identity in the aftermath of war and upheaval.
Reinhard Kleist
A German graphic novelist and illustrator, acclaimed for his visually striking and meticulously researched biographical graphic novels that explore the lives of influential figures such as Johnny Cash and Max Schmeling.
Ren Iwasaki
Ren Iwasaki is a Japanese author known for her poignant and introspective novels and poetry collections, including the acclaimed ‘The Rabbit Listened’ and ‘We Are Okay’. Her work often delves into themes of grief, relationships, and the human experience.
Rene Denfeld
An American novelist and non-fiction writer, acclaimed for her lyrical and deeply empathetic works that often delve into the lives of marginalized individuals, tackling themes of trauma, resilience, and the search for redemption.
Reni Eddo-Lodge
Reni Eddo-Lodge is a British journalist and author whose 2017 book ‘Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race’ sparked a national conversation about racism and inequality in the UK. The book won numerous awards and cemented Eddo-Lodge’s reputation as a powerful voice on issues of race and social justice.
Reva Mann
An Israeli memoirist and non-fiction writer, whose candid and introspective works offer a rare glimpse into the challenges and personal struggles of navigating the rigid social and religious structures of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community.
Reza Aslan
An Iranian-American scholar of religious studies, known for his critically acclaimed and thought-provoking non-fiction works that offer fresh perspectives on the origins, history, and cultural impact of major world religions.
Rhian Ellis
An American novelist whose works blend elements of mystery, psychological suspense, and family drama, often delving into the complex relationships and emotional challenges faced by her characters.
Rhiannon Navin
Rhiannon Navin is an American novelist whose debut novel ‘Only Child’ received critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of a child’s perspective on a school shooting. Her subsequent work, ‘The Shining Wall’, explores themes of isolation and the human condition.
Rhys Hughes
Rhys Hughes is a British author known for his whimsical and imaginative fantasy fiction, often blending absurdist humor and philosophical elements. His collections ‘Worming the Harpy’ and ‘Tallest Stories’ have earned him a cult following in the speculative fiction genre.
Rice Burroughs
A highly influential science fiction and fantasy writer, best known for his immensely popular Tarzan and John Carter of Mars series, which helped define and popularize the adventure and planetary romance genres.
Richard Ford
Richard Ford is an acclaimed American novelist and short story writer. His novels, including ‘The Sportswriter’ and the Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘Independence Day’, are known for their nuanced exploration of the human condition and the complexities of modern American life.
Richard Kadrey
Richard Kadrey is an American author best known for his ‘Sandman Slim’ series of urban fantasy novels, which blend dark humor, supernatural elements, and gritty noir-inspired action. His work has earned a devoted following among fans of contemporary fantasy and horror.
Richard Lange
Richard Lange is an American author whose fiction is acclaimed for its vivid, hardscrabble depictions of urban life. His novels, such as ‘This Wicked World’ and ‘Angel Baby’, are characterized by their gripping narratives and complex, morally ambiguous characters.
Richard Rodriguez
A Mexican-American writer and essayist, acclaimed for his deeply personal and critically acclaimed works that explore themes of identity, assimilation, and the complex relationship between the individual and their cultural heritage.
Richard Russo
A Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist, celebrated for his deeply observed and compassionate portrayals of working-class characters and small-town life, often exploring themes of family, class, and the challenges of personal reinvention.
Richie Narvaez
Richie Narvaez is an American writer who blends mystery, social commentary, and humor in his works. His novels ‘Hipster Death Rattle’ and ‘Holly Hernandez and the Death of Disco’ have been praised for their sharp wit and insightful exploration of urban life.
Rin Chupeco
Rin Chupeco is a Filipino-American author known for her young adult fantasy novels, including the critically acclaimed ‘The Girl from the Well’ and ‘The Bone Witch’ series. Her work often draws inspiration from Asian folklore and mythology.
Roald Dahl
A beloved children’s author known for his whimsical, dark, and imaginative tales that often feature eccentric characters and fantastical elements, as well as his acclaimed short stories for adults.
Roanhorse, Rebecca
Rebecca Roanhorse is an American author who writes speculative fiction exploring indigenous cultures and mythologies. Her debut novel ‘Trail of Lightning’ was a winner of the Nebula and Hugo Awards, establishing her as a prominent voice in the genre.
Rob Bell
Rob Bell is an American author and former pastor known for his progressive and often controversial interpretations of Christianity. His books, such as ‘Love Wins’ and ‘What Is the Bible?’, have sparked debates within the religious community for their unconventional perspectives.
Robert Alterbridge
A respected American scholar of Judaism, known for his influential translations and commentaries that offer fresh and insightful perspectives on the rich intellectual and theological traditions of the Jewish faith.
Robert Fagles
A renowned American scholar and translator, celebrated for his acclaimed and highly accessible modern translations of seminal ancient Greek and Roman epics, which have introduced these timeless works to new generations of readers.
Robert Macfarlane
A British writer and academic, renowned for his acclaimed non-fiction works that blend elements of nature writing, cultural history, and personal exploration, offering profound meditations on the relationship between people and the natural world.
Robin Robertson
A Scottish poet widely acclaimed for his evocative and formally inventive works that often draw upon myth, history, and the natural world to explore themes of loss, displacement, and the enduring power of human connection.
Roddy Doyle
An acclaimed Irish novelist and screenwriter, known for his gritty, humorous, and compassionate portrayals of working-class Irish life, often focusing on themes of family, identity, and the challenges of navigating social and economic change.
Rohinton Mistry
A prominent Indian-Canadian writer whose novels and short stories offer nuanced and empathetic portraits of the struggles and triumphs of ordinary people in India, tackling themes of social injustice, political upheaval, and the human spirit.
Romain Rolland
A French novelist, dramatist, and essayist, awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1915 for the idealistic and humanistic themes that he explored in his acclaimed works, including his epic novel cycle ‘Jean-Christophe’.
Ron Chernow
A highly respected American biographer, known for his meticulously researched and critically acclaimed works that provide rich and nuanced portrayals of influential historical figures, illuminating their complexities and lasting legacies.
Ron Rash
An acclaimed American writer whose works, set primarily in the Appalachian region, explore themes of survival, the human condition, and the complex relationship between people and the natural world.
Rosellen Brown
An acclaimed American novelist and short story writer, recognized for her nuanced and empathetic portrayals of complex family dynamics, social issues, and the emotional journeys of her diverse cast of characters.
Rosemary Sutcliff
A British author of historical fiction, known for her vivid and meticulously researched novels that explore the lives and experiences of people living in various eras of British history, often with a focus on the Roman and medieval periods.
Rupert Thomson
A critically acclaimed British novelist, known for his imaginative and thought-provoking works that often explore the dark undercurrents of the human psyche, the nature of identity, and the boundaries between reality and fantasy.
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
A British-Indian novelist and screenwriter, known for her insightful and humorous explorations of the cultural and social tensions between the Western and Indian worlds, often through the lens of family relationships and personal transformations.
Ruth Rendell
A prolific and acclaimed crime fiction writer who often explored the psychological motivations and disturbed mindsets of her characters, considered a major influence in the genre.
Rybakov Anatoly
A prominent Soviet-era Russian novelist, best known for his historical fiction works that provided rare insights into the lives of ordinary people during the Stalinist era and his acclaimed children’s literature.
Ryszard Wojciechowski
A Polish writer whose works often delve into the complexities of human relationships, the search for meaning, and the impact of historical events on personal lives, blending realism with elements of the absurd and the surreal.

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