Top 20 Female Authors Chosen by IGN Women
In celebration of Women's History Month in March, we at IGN are proud to spotlight the remarkable women on our team and share their favorite women authors. Last year, we showcased staff picks in games, movies, and TV, but this year, we're diving into the world of literature, a beloved pastime among our team.
When we asked the women of IGN about their favorite women authors, the responses were as diverse as they were insightful, spanning a rich tapestry of genres and styles. Here's a look at the authors and comic artists that made the list, celebrating not only the women of IGN but also the incredible women authors they admire.
Sharon Creech
Her stories of love, grief, and the complexities of human existence are beautifully crafted. –*Marhyan Franzen*
Notable works: Walk Two Moons, Chasing Redbird
Sharon Creech's Walk Two Moons is a poignant narrative that masterfully intertwines humor and bittersweet moments, creating a moving story of love, loss, and human emotion. Available at Amazon for $6.95, a 30% discount from the original $9.99 price.
Kelly Sue DeConnick
Kelly Sue DeConnick has been a trailblazer in the predominantly male world of comics. Her contributions to Marvel, including bringing Captain Marvel to Carol Danvers, have left a lasting impact, notably in the MCU. Beyond the mainstream, her work in indie comics like Pretty Deadly and Bitch Planet showcases her versatility and feminist perspective. Her current project, FML from Dark Horse Comics, offers a supernatural twist to her storytelling. DeConnick's talent and humanity make her a must-read. –*Chelsea Reed*
Notable works: Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman Historia, Pretty Deadly, Bitch Planet, FML
Kelly Sue DeConnick's Captain Marvel sends the hero into an intergalactic war, available at Amazon for $68.02, a significant 46% off the original $125.00 price.
Sarah Rose Etter
Sarah Rose Etter's novels are a unique blend of the surreal and the relatable, resonating deeply with readers who appreciate the unconventional. Her works, The Book of X and Ripe, are standout pieces that explore themes from generational struggles to the pressures of modern life. Her storytelling is both haunting and compelling, and I eagerly await more from her. –*Leanne Butkovic*
Notable works: Ripe, The Book of X
Sarah Rose Etter's Ripe: A Novel offers a dark, surreal journey through Silicon Valley, available at Amazon for $15.81, a 12% discount from $18.00.
Isabel Greenberg
The excitement for the film adaptation of Isabel Greenberg's feminist medieval tale, The 100 Nights of Hero, is palpable, especially with Charli XCX set to portray Rosa. –*Kelly Pham*
Notable works: The 100 Nights of Hero
Isabel Greenberg's The One Hundred Nights of Hero is a beautifully illustrated collection of folk tales and myths, available at Amazon for $11.31.
N.K. Jemisin
N.K. Jemisin's The Broken Earth Trilogy is a must-read for fans of fantasy. Her storytelling, with its innovative magic system and captivating characters, is unparalleled. The trilogy's second book, The Obelisk Gate, is particularly noteworthy, and the series as a whole is a Hugo Award-winning masterpiece. –*Miranda Sanchez*
Notable works: The Broken Earth Trilogy (The Fifth Season), The City We Became
N.K. Jemisin's The Broken Earth Trilogy is a collectable boxed set, available at Amazon for $27.49, a 45% discount from $49.99.
T. Kingfisher
T. Kingfisher's prolific output is a delight for fans of gothic horror and dark fantasy. Her retellings of classic tales and horror stories, like What Moves the Dead and her Saint of Steel series, blend dark themes with comedic pacing and well-developed characters. Her work is both unsettling and heartwarming. –*MS*
Notable works: Nettle & Bone, What Moves the Dead, Paladin's Grace
T. Kingfisher's What Moves the Dead reimagines Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Fall of the House of Usher," available at Amazon for $8.46, a 44% discount from $14.99.
Han Kang
Han Kang, the most recent Nobel Prize winner for Literature, is a force to be reckoned with. Her novel The Vegetarian, with its haunting narrative of a woman's descent into self-denial, is a testament to her genius. Her other works, from Greek Lessons to Human Acts, are equally compelling and thought-provoking. –*LB*
Notable works: We Do Not Part, The Vegetarian, Human Acts, Greek Lessons
Han Kang's The Vegetarian is a darkly allegorical tale, available at Amazon for $15.00, a 17% discount from $18.00.
Yume Kitasei
Yume Kitasei is an emerging talent in sci-fi, with her quick world-building and engaging narratives. Her debut, The Deep Sky, is a thrilling murder mystery set in space, while The Stardust Grail is an adventurous quest for an ancient artifact. Her upcoming work promises to be just as exciting. –*MS*
Notable works: The Deep Sky, Stardust Grail
Yume Kitasei's The Deep Sky is a gripping sci-fi thriller, available at Amazon for $12.59, a 34% discount from $18.99.
Gail Carson Levine
Gail Carson Levine's work is perfect for young readers venturing into fantasy. –*MF*
Notable works: Ella Enchanted
Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted is a beloved tale of a feisty heroine, available at Amazon for $6.99, a 30% discount from $9.99.
Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas has carved a niche in fantasy romance with her detailed world-building and enthralling narratives. Her series, including A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City, are interconnected tales of the Fae, blending fantasy with romance and adventure. –*Jessie Wade*
Notable works: A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, Crescent City
Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses is a seductive blend of romance and adventure, available at Amazon for $10.95, a 42% discount from $19.00.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Silvia Moreno-Garcia's versatility across genres is remarkable. From historical romance with fantasy elements in The Beautiful Ones to dark vampire adventures in Certain Dark Things, her storytelling is consistently captivating. Her focus on dark historical fantasy, often set in Mexico, brings a refreshing perspective to the genre. –*MS*
Notable works: Mexican Gothic, Gods of Jade and Shadow, Silver Nitrate
Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic is a twist on classic gothic horror, available at Amazon for $9.73, a 43% discount from $17.00.
Erin Morgenstern
Erin Morgenstern's novels, The Night Circus and The Starless Sea, are enchanting dreamscapes. Her writing pulls you into magical worlds that are both seductive and heartwarming. The Night Circus, in particular, is a go-to for breaking out of a reading slump, while The Starless Sea delves into the realm of stories themselves. –*MS*
Notable works: The Night Circus, The Starless Sea
Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus is a spell-casting novel, available at Amazon for $9.33, a 51% discount from $19.00.
Helen Oyeyemi
Helen Oyeyemi's unique voice in literature is like chasing a playful ghost through a fever dream. Her novels, inspired by folktales but with a modern twist, defy the norms of literary fiction. Her work is both discombobulating and delightful. –*LB*
Notable works: Parasol Against the Axe, Gingerbread, Boy Snow Bird, Mr. Fox
Helen Oyeyemi's Mr. Fox is a magical love story, available at Amazon for $13.59, a 25% discount from $18.00.
Leomi Sadler
Leomi Sadler's Tummy Bugs is a vibrant collection of over a decade of work, blending bright colors with dark humor. –*KP*
Notable works: Tummy Bugs
Leomi Sadler's Tummy Bugs is an energetic and personal retrospective, available at Amazon for $25.42.
Samantha Shannon
For fans of high fantasy, Samantha Shannon's The Roots of Chaos series, starting with The Priory of the Orange Tree, is a must-read. With its rich characters, dragons, and magic, it's a satisfying series that keeps you immersed in its world. –*CR*
Notable works: The Roots of Chaos series (The Priory of the Orange Tree), The Bone Season series
Samantha Shannon's The Priory of the Orange Tree is a captivating high fantasy novel, available at Amazon for $10.92.
Gail Simone
Gail Simone's work in comics captures the quieter, yet powerful moments in superheroes' lives. As the first female solo writer for Uncanny X-Men and a GLAAD award winner, her contributions are invaluable. –*MF*
Notable works: Uncanny X-Men. Pre-order the next release (August 5) on Amazon now.
Gail Simone's (Kindle Only) Uncanny X-Men is available at Amazon for $5.99.
Sue Lynn Tan
Sue Lynn Tan's Celestial Kingdom Duology, starting with Daughter of the Moon Goddess, is a romantic adventure inspired by Chinese mythology. The series follows Xingyin's journey to free her mother, blending mythology with a steady pace of action and romance. –*MS*
Notable works: The Celestial Kingdom Duology (Daughter of the Moon Goddess), Immortal
Sue Lynn Tan's (Book 1 of 3) Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a romantic epic fantasy, available at Amazon for $12.18, a 32% discount from $17.99.
Morgan Vogel
Morgan Vogel's work is a striking blend of visceral storytelling and intelligent themes, with artwork that is both beautiful and unsettling. Her exploration of being lost in the digital world and within oneself is deeply resonant. –*KP*
Notable works: Nightcore Energy, Valle
Morgan Vogel's Nightcore Energy is available at Organ.Fail.
Jacqueline Wilson
Jacqueline Wilson's books for young adults tackle challenging topics like grief, substance abuse, and bullying. Her stories provided solace during my tough upbringing, and her recognition with the Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire underscores her impact on literature. –*Meg Koepp*
Notable works: "Girls" series, Think Again, The Illustrated Mum
Jacqueline Wilson's The Illustrated Mum is a touching story of a daughter's love and concern, available at Amazon for $21.31.
Rebecca Yarros
Rebecca Yarros's Empyrean series is a gripping adult fantasy romance that follows a young woman's journey at a war college for dragon riders. The series masterfully balances violence with compelling storytelling, character development, and world-building. The organic integration of romance enhances the plot without overshadowing the fantasy elements. –*JW*
Notable works: Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm)
Rebecca Yarros's (3 Book Set) Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm) is a captivating fantasy series, available at Amazon for $91.29.
For more literary and gaming delights, check out Humble Bundle's special offers this month, including the Humble Heroines Bundle, where you can take charge as powerful protagonists. Humble is partnering with CARE for Women's History Month, donating 5% of proceeds from Humble Choice memberships to support CARE's programs.
Celebrate Women's History Month with the Humble Heroines Bundle, available at Humble Bundle.
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