There are 48 authors that start with the letter S. From Sabaa Tahir to Sylvia Plath. 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 S

Authors nationality genre notable works
Sabaa Tahir American young adult fantasy An Ember in the Ashes series
Sachin Kundalkar Indian Fiction Cobalt Blue
Saci Lloyd British young adult science fiction The Carbon Diaries series
Sahar Delijani Iranian-American Fiction Children of the Jacaranda Tree
Salley Vickers British Fiction Miss Garnet’s Angel
Sally Rooney Irish Literary fiction Normal People, Conversations with Friends
Salman Rushdie British Magical realism, postcolonial literature ‘Midnight’s Children’, ‘The Satanic Verses’, ‘Shame’
Samantha Mabry American Young adult fiction All the Wind in the World, Tigers, Not Daughters
Samantha Shannon British fantasy The Bone Season series
Sami Shah Pakistani-Australian Memoir, Humor I, Migrant
Sandhya Menon Indian-American Young Adult Romance When Dimple Met Rishi
Sandra Cisneros American literary fiction The House on Mango Street
Sandra Newman American literary fiction, historical fiction The Country of Ice Cream Star
Sappho Ancient Greek Poetry Lyric poetry
Sara Donati American Historical Fiction The Wilderness series
Sara Gruen Canadian Historical fiction Water for Elephants, Ape House
Sara Paretsky American Mystery fiction ‘V.I. Warshawski’ series
Sara Shepard American young adult fiction Pretty Little Liars series
Sarah Perry British historical fiction The Essex Serpent
Sarah Pinborough British Thriller, horror, dark fantasy Behind Her Eyes, 13 Minutes
Saul Bellow Canadian-American literary fiction The Adventures of Augie March, Herzog
Scott Westerfeld American young adult science fiction Uglies series, Leviathan series
Seamus Heaney Irish Poetry ‘Digging’, ‘Beowulf’ (translation)
Seanan McGuire American urban fantasy, science fiction October Daye series, InCryptid series
Sebastien de Castell Canadian fantasy Greatcoats series
Sena Jeter Naslund American historical fiction Ahab’s Wife, Four Spirits
Sergei Eisenstein Russian Filmmaking ‘Battleship Potemkin’, ‘Ivan the Terrible’
Seth Dickinson American Science fiction, fantasy The Poppy War series, The Traitor Baru Cormorant
Seth Grahame-Smith American Fiction, horror ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’, ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’
Shaun Tan Australian graphic novels The Arrival, Tales from Outer Suburbia
Shea Ernshaw American Young adult, fantasy The Wicked Deep, Winterwood
Shel Silverstein American Poetry, children’s literature ‘The Giving Tree’, ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’
Sherman Alexie Native American Fiction, poetry ‘The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven’, ‘The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian’
Sherrilyn Kenyon American Urban fantasy, paranormal romance Dark-Hunter series, Chronicles of Nick
Shirley Barrett Australian literary fiction, drama Rush Oh!, Love Child
Shirley Jackson American Horror, psychological fiction ‘The Lottery’, ‘The Haunting of Hill House’
Sidney Sheldon American thriller, suspense The Other Side of Midnight, Master of the Game
Silvia Moreno-Garcia Mexican-Canadian fantasy, historical fiction Mexican Gothic, Gods of Jade and Shadow
Simone de Beauvoir French Existentialist philosophy, feminist theory ‘The Second Sex’, ‘The Mandarins’
Sinclair Lewis American literary fiction Main Street, Babbitt, Arrowsmith
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle British Mystery, historical fiction ‘Sherlock Holmes’ series, ‘The Lost World’
Sloane Crosley American Essays, memoir I Was Told There’d Be Cake, How Did You Get This Number
Stephen Crane American Naturalism, realism ‘The Red Badge of Courage’, ‘Maggie: A Girl of the Streets’
Stephen King American Horror, suspense, fantasy ‘The Shining’, ‘It’, ‘The Stand’
Stieg Larsson Swedish Crime fiction ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ trilogy
Suki Kim South Korean-American Journalism, non-fiction ‘Without You, There Is No Us’
Svetlana Alexievich Belarusian Non-fiction, journalism ‘Chernobyl Prayer’, ‘The Unwomanly Face of War’
Sylvia Plath American Poetry, fiction ‘The Bell Jar’, ‘Ariel’

Descriptions

Sabaa Tahir
A bestselling author of young adult fantasy novels, including the acclaimed ‘An Ember in the Ashes’ series, which combines elements of ancient Rome with Middle Eastern mythology.
Sachin Kundalkar
Kundalkar is an Indian novelist and filmmaker known for his novel ‘Cobalt Blue,’ a semi-autobiographical story of a brother and sister who fall in love with the same man.
Saci Lloyd
A British author known for her ‘The Carbon Diaries’ series, a young adult science fiction saga that explores a dystopian future affected by climate change.
Sahar Delijani
Delijani is an Iranian-American novelist whose debut novel, ‘Children of the Jacaranda Tree,’ explores the lives of three generations affected by the Iranian Revolution.
Salley Vickers
Vickers is a British novelist known for her literary fiction exploring themes of spirituality, relationships, and the human condition, as seen in her novel ‘Miss Garnet’s Angel.’
Sally Rooney
Sally Rooney is an acclaimed Irish novelist known for her intimate, character-driven novels that explore themes of love, class, and modern relationships, such as ‘Normal People’ and ‘Conversations with Friends’.
Salman Rushdie
Salman Rushdie is an acclaimed British-Indian novelist known for his works exploring themes of postcolonialism, magical realism, and religious controversies. His notable works include the Booker Prize-winning ‘Midnight’s Children’ and the controversial ‘The Satanic Verses’.
Samantha Mabry
Samantha Mabry is an American author who writes lyrical, atmospheric young adult fiction, often with a touch of magical realism, as seen in her novels ‘All the Wind in the World’ and ‘Tigers, Not Daughters’.
Samantha Shannon
A British author whose debut novel, ‘The Bone Season,’ kickstarted a critically acclaimed fantasy series set in a dystopian alternate reality.
Sami Shah
Shah is a Pakistani-Australian writer, comedian, and journalist who chronicles his experiences as a Pakistani immigrant in Australia in his memoir ‘I, Migrant.’
Sandhya Menon
Menon is an Indian-American author known for her young adult contemporary romance novels, including the well-received ‘When Dimple Met Rishi.’
Sandra Cisneros
A Mexican-American author whose works, such as the acclaimed novel ‘The House on Mango Street,’ explore the experiences of Chicana women and the complexities of cultural identity.
Sandra Newman
An American author known for her genre-blending novels, including the post-apocalyptic ‘The Country of Ice Cream Star,’ which combines literary fiction with elements of science fiction.
Sappho
Sappho was an ancient Greek poet from the island of Lesbos, considered one of the greatest lyric poets of antiquity. Her works, which primarily focused on love and relationships, are renowned for their emotional intensity and poetic beauty.
Sara Donati
Donati is an American author of historical fiction, best known for her ‘The Wilderness’ series, which follows the lives of two families in 19th-century New York.
Sara Gruen
Sara Gruen is a Canadian author known for her ability to immerse readers in historical settings, as demonstrated in her bestselling novels ‘Water for Elephants’, set in a 1930s circus, and ‘Ape House’, which explores the world of bonobo apes.
Sara Paretsky
Sara Paretsky is an American author best known for her ‘V.I. Warshawski’ series of detective novels, which feature a tough, female private investigator as the protagonist. Her works are acclaimed for their strong female characters and social commentary.
Sara Shepard
An American author best known for her ‘Pretty Little Liars’ series, a popular young adult mystery and thriller franchise that was adapted into a hit television show.
Sarah Perry
A British author acclaimed for her atmospheric historical novels, such as ‘The Essex Serpent,’ which blends Gothic elements with literary fiction.
Sarah Pinborough
Sarah Pinborough is a British writer who has gained acclaim for her genre-blending works, including the psychological thriller ‘Behind Her Eyes’ and the dark fantasy novel ’13 Minutes’, which explore the darker aspects of the human experience.
Saul Bellow
A Nobel Prize-winning Canadian-American author known for his influential novels that explore the complexities of urban life, cultural identity, and the human condition.
Scott Westerfeld
An American author of young adult science fiction, including the popular ‘Uglies’ series, which explores themes of conformity and self-discovery in a dystopian future, and the steampunk-inspired ‘Leviathan’ series.
Seamus Heaney
Seamus Heaney was an acclaimed Irish poet who won the Nobel Prize in Literature. His poetry often explores themes of Irish history, identity, and the natural world, and he is renowned for his translations of classics like ‘Beowulf’.
Seanan McGuire
A prolific American author known for her urban fantasy and science fiction works, including the award-winning ‘October Daye’ and ‘InCryptid’ series, which blend fantastical elements with contemporary settings.
Sebastien de Castell
A Canadian author acclaimed for his ‘Greatcoats’ series, a swashbuckling fantasy saga that blends elements of adventure, intrigue, and witty dialogue.
Sena Jeter Naslund
An American author known for her award-winning historical novels, such as ‘Ahab’s Wife,’ which reimagines classic literary works from a fresh perspective, and ‘Four Spirits,’ which explores the civil rights movement in Alabama.
Sergei Eisenstein
Sergei Eisenstein was a pioneering Soviet filmmaker and film theorist, known for his innovative use of montage and his influential works such as ‘Battleship Potemkin’ and ‘Ivan the Terrible’. He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of cinema.
Seth Dickinson
Seth Dickinson is an American author who has gained recognition for his ambitious, genre-blending works, including the historical fantasy ‘The Poppy War’ series and the political science fiction novel ‘The Traitor Baru Cormorant’, which explore complex moral and philosophical themes.
Seth Grahame-Smith
Seth Grahame-Smith is an American author known for his unique mashups of classic literature and horror elements, such as ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ and ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’. His works blend historical fiction with supernatural elements.
Shaun Tan
An Australian author and illustrator acclaimed for his unique graphic novels, which often feature dreamlike, surreal imagery that explores themes of identity, displacement, and the human experience.
Shea Ernshaw
Shea Ernshaw is an American author known for her atmospheric young adult fantasy novels, such as ‘The Wicked Deep’, a haunting tale of vengeful spirits, and ‘Winterwood’, which blends elements of magical realism with a contemporary setting.
Shel Silverstein
Shel Silverstein was an acclaimed American poet, songwriter, and children’s author, best known for his whimsical and thought-provoking poetry collections ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’ and ‘A Light in the Attic’, as well as the classic children’s book ‘The Giving Tree’.
Sherman Alexie
Sherman Alexie is a highly acclaimed Native American author, known for his works that explore the experiences and challenges of indigenous people in contemporary society. His notable works include the short story collection ‘The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven’ and the young adult novel ‘The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian’.
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Sherrilyn Kenyon is a prolific American author who has found success in the urban fantasy and paranormal romance genres, particularly with her long-running ‘Dark-Hunter’ series and the ‘Chronicles of Nick’ young adult spin-off.
Shirley Barrett
An Australian author known for her acclaimed novels that blend literary fiction with elements of drama and social commentary, such as ‘Rush Oh!’ and ‘Love Child.’
Shirley Jackson
Shirley Jackson was an American author known for her chilling and unsettling works of horror and psychological fiction. Her short story ‘The Lottery’ and novel ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ are considered classics of the genre and have had a lasting impact on literature and popular culture.
Sidney Sheldon
A prolific American author who was a master of the thriller and suspense genres, known for his page-turning novels that often featured intricate plots and complex female protagonists.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
A Mexican-Canadian author whose works blend diverse genres, from gothic horror to historical fantasy, as seen in acclaimed novels like ‘Mexican Gothic’ and ‘Gods of Jade and Shadow.’
Simone de Beauvoir
Simone de Beauvoir was a French philosopher, writer, and feminist thinker, best known for her groundbreaking work ‘The Second Sex’, which explored the social and cultural constructs of gender and womanhood. Her writings were influential in the development of feminist thought and existentialist philosophy.
Sinclair Lewis
An American novelist and playwright who was the first American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, known for his satirical and critical portrayals of American society in works like ‘Main Street,’ ‘Babbitt,’ and ‘Arrowsmith.’
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a British writer and physician, best known as the creator of the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes. His ‘Sherlock Holmes’ series, featuring the brilliant detective and his loyal companion Dr. Watson, has become one of the most enduring and influential works of crime fiction.
Sloane Crosley
A prominent American essayist and memoirist known for her witty, insightful, and relatable collections that explore the complexities of modern life, such as ‘I Was Told There’d Be Cake’ and ‘How Did You Get This Number.’
Stephen Crane
Stephen Crane was an American author and poet, known for his pioneering works of naturalism and realism. His most famous novel, ‘The Red Badge of Courage’, is a powerful exploration of the psychological and physical realities of war, while ‘Maggie: A Girl of the Streets’ is a gritty portrayal of urban poverty.
Stephen King
Stephen King is an American author who has become one of the most prolific and influential writers in the horror, suspense, and fantasy genres. With over 350 million books sold, his works, including ‘The Shining’, ‘It’, and ‘The Stand’, have captivated and terrified readers worldwide.
Stieg Larsson
Stieg Larsson was a Swedish journalist and author, best known for his posthumously published ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ trilogy, which became a global phenomenon. The series, featuring the complex and unconventional protagonist Lisbeth Salander, is praised for its intricate plots and social commentary.
Suki Kim
Suki Kim is a South Korean-American journalist and author known for her investigative work and non-fiction writing. Her book ‘Without You, There Is No Us’ is a memoir of her time teaching at an elite school in North Korea, offering a rare insider’s perspective on the country.
Svetlana Alexievich
Svetlana Alexievich is a Belarusian writer and journalist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for her pioneering work in polyphonic writings
Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath was an American poet and novelist, known for her intense and introspective writing. Her semi-autobiographical novel ‘The Bell Jar’ and her acclaimed poetry collection ‘Ariel’ explored themes of mental illness, identity, and the female experience.

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