List of writers in Who's Who in Contemporary Women's Writing

Over 400 women writers are listed in Who's Who in Contemporary Women's Writing, edited by Jane Eldridge Miller, Routledge, 2001.

Contents 1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 G 6 L 7 M 8 N 9 O 10 P 11 Q 12 R 13 S 14 T 15 U 16 V 17 W 18 X 19 Y 20 Z

A

• Leila Abouzeid (born 1950), Moroccan novelist and journalist
• Fawziyya Abū Khālid (born 1955), Saudi Arabian poet and essayist
• Evelyne Accad (born 1943), Lebanese-Swiss-US novelist
• Catherine Acholonu (born 1950), Nigerian poet, dramatist, essayist and fiction writer
• Kathy Acker (1947–1997), US novelist and short-story writer
• Glenda Adams (1939–2007), Australian novelist
• Fleur Adcock (born 1934), New Zealand-born poet and translator
• Halide Edip Adıvar (1884–1964) Turkish novelist and politician
• Opal Palmer Adisa (born 1954), Jamaican novelist and poet
• Etel Adnan (born 1925), Lebanese-US poet, novelist and essayist
• Adalet Ağaoğlu (born 1929), Turkish novelist and short-story writer
• Marjorie Agosin (born 1955), Chilean-US poet, essayist and critic
• Ma. Luisa B. Aguilar (born 1962), Philippine poet and essayist
• Mila Auilar (born 1949), Philippine poet
• Ama Ata Aidoo (born 1942), Ghanaian writer and activist
• Leah Aini (born 1962), Israeli poet and fiction writer
• Grace Akello (born c. 1940s), Ugandan poet, essayist and folklorist
• Sonja Åkesson (1926–1977), Swedish poet
• Bella Akhatovna Akhmadulina (Izabella Akhatovna Akhmadulina) (born 1937), Russian poet and prose writer
• Florenţa Albu (born 1934), Romanian poet
• Claribel Alegría (born 1924), Salvadoran novelist and poet
• Svetlana Aleksievich (born c. 1948), Belarusian prose writer
• Meena Alexander (born 1951), Indian-US poet and novelist
• Estrella D. Alfon (1917–1983), Philippine fiction writer and playwright
• Zaynab Alkali (born 1952), Nigerian novelist, short-story writer and essayist
• Paula Gunn Allen (born 1939), US poet, essayist and novelist
• Isabel Allende (born 1942), Chilean novelist and journalist
• Phyllis Shand Allfrey (1908–1986), Dominican novelist, poet and journalist
• Ruth Almog (born 1936), Israeli novelist and journalist
• Lisa Alther (born 1944), US novelist
• Merlie M. Alunan (born 1943), Philippine poet
• Julia Alvarez (born 1950), Dominican-US novelist and poet
• Miriam Alves (born 1952), Brazilian poet and short-story writer
• Ifi Amadiume (born 1947), Nigerian poet, ethnographer and essayist
• Ambai (C. S. Lakshmi) (born 1944), Indian writer and researcher
• Khalidah Adibah Amin (born 1936), Malaysian columnist, essayist and scriptwriter
• Mahshid AmirShahi (born 1940), Iranian novelist
• Fadhma Aïth Mansour Amrouche (1882?-1967), Algerian memoirist
• Loula Anagnostaki, Greek dramatist
• Anchan (Anchalee Vivatanachai) (born 1952), Thai story story writer and poet
• Barbara Anderson (born 1926), New Zealand novelist and short story writer
• Jessica Anderson (born 1916), Australian novelist
• Gail Anderson-Dargatz (born 1963), Canadian novelist and short story writer
• Emma Andiievs'ka (Andiyewska) (born 1931), Ukrainian poet and prose writer
• Albalucía Angel (born 1939), Colombian novelist and playwright
• Maya Angelou (born 1928), US poet and autobiographer
• Katerina Anghelaki-Rooke (born 1939), Greek poet
• Anjana Appachana, Indian novelist and short story writer
• Ariyoshi Sawako (1931-1983), Japanese novelist and dramatist
• Nina Björk Árnadóttir (born 1941), Icelandic poet, playwright and novelist
• Christine Arnothy (born 1930), French autobiographer, novelist and short story writer
• Ashapurna Devi (1909-1995). Indian novelist and short story writer
• Raḍwā 'Āshūr (born 1946), Egyptian novelist and literary critic
• Leilah Assunção (Maria de Lourdes Torres de Almeida Prado Teixeira) (born 1944), Brazilian dramatist and novelist
• Thea Astley (born 1925), Australian novelist
• Kate Atkinson (born 1952), British novelist
• Samar al-'Aṭṭār (born 1945), Syrian novelist and translator
• Margaret Atwood (born 1939), Canadian novelist and poet
• Aude (Claudette Carbonneau-Tissot) (born 1947), Canadian novelist and short story writer
• Aung San Suu Kyi (born 1945), Burmese writer and politician
• Samīra 'Azzām (1927-1967), Palestinian short story writer, journalist and translator

B

• Mariama Bâ (1929–1981), Senegalese novelist & essayist
• Ingeborg Bachmann (1926–1973), Austrian novelist, short story writer and poet
• Liana Badr (born 1951), Palestinian novelist
• Bai Fengxi (born 1934), Chinese playwright
• Beryl Bainbridge (born 1934), English novelist and short story writer
• Salwā Bakr (born 1949), Egyptian novelist
• Laylā Balabakkī (born 1936), Lebanese novelist, short story writer and journalist
• Solvej Balle (born 1962), Danish prose writer
• Ioana Bantaş (Elena Mustaṭǎ) (1937–1987), Romanian poet
• Maria Banuş (1914–1999), Romanian poet and translator
• Hudā Barakāt (born 1952), Lebanese novelist
• Natalia Vladimirovna Baranskaia (born 1908), Russian prose writer
• Joan Barfoot (born 1946), Canadian novelist
• Pat Barker (born 1934), English novelist
• Fevziye Rahgozar Barlas (born 1955), Afghan poet, journalist and short story writer
• Christiane Baroche (born 1935), French novelist, short story writer and poet
• Maria Isabel Barreno (born 1939), Portuguese fiction writer and essayist
• Miryana Ivanova Basheva (born 1947), Bulgarian poet
• Hannah Bat Shahar (born 1944), Israeli fiction writer
• Nina Bawden (born 1925), British novelist and children's writer
• Ann Beattie (born 1947), US short story writer and novelist
• Beatrix Beck (born 1914), French-Belgian novelist and poet
• Jean Bedford (born 1946), Australian novelist and short story writer
• Patricia Beer (1924–1999), British poet and non-fiction writer
• Maya Bejerano (born 1949), Israeli poet
• Hélé Béji (born 1948), Tunisian essayist
• Gioconda Belli (born 1948), Nicaraguan poet and novelist
• Louise Bennett (born 1919), Jamaican poet and folklorist
• Netiva Ben Yehuda (born 1928), Israeli author and editor
• Nina Nikolaevna Berberova (1901–1993), Russian prose writer, poet, autobiographer, critic and translator
• Alexandra Berková (born 1949), Czech novelist and essayist
• Sabina Berman (born 1955), Mexican playwright
• Louky Bersianik (born 1930), French-Canadian novelist and poet
• Agustina Bessa Luís (born 1922), Portuguese novelist
• Marion Bethel (born 1953), Bahamian poet
• Calixthe Beyala (born 1961), Cameroonian novelist
• Mannu Bhandari (born 1931), Indian fiction writer, playwright and scriptwriter
• Simin Bihbahani (born 1927), Iranian poet
• Stéphanie Corinna Bille (1912–1979), Swiss short story writer, dramatist, poet and novelist
• Raphaële Billetdoux (born 1951), French novelist
• Natalka Bilotserkivets’ (born 1954), Ukrainian poet
• Maeve Binchy (born 1940), Irish novelist and short story writer
• Bing Xin (1900–1999), Chinese poet, fiction writer and essayist
• Bint al-Shāti (1913–1998), Egyptian prose writer, short story writer and literary critic
• Sandra Birdsell (born 1942), Canadian novelist
• Marie-Claire Blais (born 1939), French-Canadian novelist
• Ana Blandiana (Otolia-Valeria Coman) (born 1942), Romanian poet
• Jaroslava Blazková (born 1933), Slovak novelist and editor
• Marion Bloem (born 1952), Dutch novelist
• Judy Blume (born 1938), US children's writer and novelist
• Merlinda Bobis (born 1959), Philippine-Australian poet, dramatist and fiction writer
• Cecil Bødker (born 1927), Danish novelist
• Eavan Boland (born 1944), Irish poet and critic
• Elena Bonner (born 1923), Russian memoirist
• Boonlua (M. L. Boonlua Kunchon Thepyasuwan) (1911–1984), Thai novelist
• Botan (Supa Sirisingha) (born 1947), Thai novelist, short story writer and children's writer
• Fernanda Botelho (born 1926), Portuguese novelist
• Tereza Boučková (born 1957), Czech prose writer
• Carmen Boullosa (born 1954), Mexican novelist and poet
• Nina Bouraoui (born 1967), French novelist
• Marilyn Bowering (born 1949), Canadian poet and novelist
• Clare Boylan (born 1948), Irish novelist
• Zuzana Brabcová (born 1959), Czech novelist
• Marion Zimmer Bradley (1930–1999), US novelist
• Cecilia Manguerra Brainard (born c. 1948), Philippine fiction writer and essayist
• Dionne Brand (born 1953), Trinidadian-Canadian poet and essayist
• Gerd Brantenberg (born 1941), Norwegian novelist
• Jean 'Binta' Breeze (born 1956), Jamaican poet and film writer
• Erna Brodber (born 1940), Jamaican novelist
• Suzanne Brøgger (born 1944), Danish novelist
• Christine Brooke-Rose (born 1923), British novelist and critic
• Anita Brookner (born 1928), English novelist
• Nicole Brossard (born 1943), Canadian poet and essayist
• Rita Mae Brown (born 1944), US novelist and poet
• Christine Brückner (born 1921), German novelist and fiction writer
• Andreas Burnier (Catherine Irma Dessaur) (born 1931), Dutch novelist and essayist
• Sharon Butala (born 1940), Canadian short story writer and essayist
• Octavia E. Butler (born 1947), US novelist and short story writer
• A. S. Byatt (Antonia Susan Byatt) (born 1936), English novelist and critic

C

• Lydia Cabrera (1899–1991), Cuban short story writer
• Hazel Campbell (born 1940), Jamaican short story writer
• Julieta Campos (born 1932), Cuban-Mexican novelist and critic
• Can Xue (born 1953), Chinese fiction writer
• Paola Capriolo (born 1962), Italian novelist, short story wroter and translator
• Marie Cardinal (born 1929), French novelist
• Magda Cârneci (born 1955), Romanian poet and art critic
• Anne Carson (born 1950), Canadian poet
• Angela Carter (1940–1992), English novelist, short story writer and essayist
• Maria Judite Carvalho (1921–1998), Portuguese short story writer
• Nina Cassian (born 1924), Romanian poet and composer
• Orly Castel-Bloom (born 1960), Israeli short story writer and novelist
• Rosario Castellanos (1925–1974), Mexican poet and novelist
• Ana Castillo (born 1953), US poet, fiction writer and essayist
• Nancy Cato (1917–2000), Australian novelist
• Adriana Cavarero (born 1947), Italian philosopher
• Ina Césaire (born 1942), French-Martinican dramatist
• Ana Cristina César (1952–1983), Brazilian poet and essayist
• Ruxandra Cesereanu (born 1963), Romanian poet
• Rahel Chalfi (Rachel Chalfi) (born c. 1940s), Israeli poet
• Chamnongsri Rutnin (Khunying Chamnongsri Hanchanlash) (born 1939), Thai poet, biographer and translator
• Françoise Chandernagor (born 1945), French novelist and biographer
• Marie Chauvet (Marie Vieux) (1919–1972), Haitian novelist
• Denise Chavez (born 1948), US novelist and playwright
• Chantal Chawaf (born 1943), French writer
• Andrée Chedid (born 1920), French novelist and poet
• Chen Jingrong (1917–1995), Chinese poet, essayist and translator
• Chen Ran (born 1962), Chinese fiction writer
• Chen Ruoxi (Ch'en Jo-his; Chen Lucy) (born 1938), Chinese/Taiwan fiction writer
• Kema Chikwe (born 1947), Nigerian children's writer, nonfiction writer and publisher
• Chiranan Pitpreecha (Chiranan Prasertkul) (born 1955), Thai poet
• Ch'oe Chǒnghǔi (1906–1990), South Korean fiction writer
• Ch'oe Yun (Choi Hyunmoo) (born 1953), Korean fiction writer and literary critic
• Inger Christensen (born 1935), Danish poet and novelist
• Chuah Guat Eng (born 1943), Malaysian novelist and stort story writer
• R. Chudamani (born 1931), Indian short story writer and novelist
• Leila Chudori (born 1962), Indonesian short story writer
• Ismat Chughtai (1915–1991), Indian fiction writer
• Lidiia Korneevna Chukovskaia (born 1907), Russian critic, editor, memoirist, novelist and poet
• Caryl Churchill (born 1938), British playwright
• Fausta Cialente (1898–1994), Italian novelist
• Sandra Cisneros (born 1954), US fiction writer and poet
• Hélène Cixous (born 1937), French writer and dramatist
• Amy Clampitt (1920–1994), US poet
• Gillian Clarke (born 1937), Welsh poet
• Catherine Clément (born 1939), French essayist and novelist
• Michelle Cliff (born 1946), Jamaican-US novelist
• Lucille Clifton (Thelma Lucille Clifton) (born 1936), US poet and children's writer
• Marina Colasanti (born 1937), Brazilian short story writer and journalist
• Lindsey Collen (born 1948), Mauritian novelist
• Merle Collins (born 1950), Grenadian poet and novelist
• Maryse Condé (born 1937), Guadeloupean novelist
• Paule Constant (born 1944), French novelist
• Lena Constante (born 1909), Romanian writer
• Afua Cooper (born 1958), Jamaican-Canadian poet
• Wendy Cope (born 1945), British poet
• Gilda Cordero-Fernando (born 1930), Philippine fiction writer and essayist
• Patricia Cornwell (born 1956), US novelist
• Clara Pinto Correia (born 1960), Portuguese novelist and journalist
• Hélia Correia (born 1949), Portuguese novelist, dramatist and poet
• Natália Correia (1923–1993), Portuguese fiction writer, poet and dramatist
• Maria Corti (1915–2002), Italian literary critic and novelist
• Ajeet Cour (born 1934), Indian fiction writer
• Sonia Coutinho (born 1939), Brazilian novelist and short story writer
• Christine Craig (born 1943), Jamaican poet
• Helena Parente Cunha (born 1929), Brazilian novelist, poet, and short story writer
• Rachel Cusk (born 1967), British novelist

D

• Dai Houying (1938–1995), Chinese novelist and essayist
• Dai Qing (born 1941), Chinese journalist and writer
• Ruth Dallas (Ruth Mumford) (born 1919), New Zealand poet and children's writer
• Tsitsi Dangarembga (born 1959), Zimbabwean novelist, playwright and filmmaker
• Sarah Daniels (born 1956), British playwright
• Simin Danishvar (born 1921), Iranian novelist and short story writer
• Edwidge Danticat (born 1969), Haitian-US novelist and short story writer
• Kamala Das (Madhavikutty) (born 1934), Indian poet and short story writer
• Mahadai Das (born 1954), Indo-Guyanese poet
• Shobha De (born 1948), Indian novelist and columnist
• Alba de Cèspedes (1911–1997), Italian novelist, journalist and poet
• Alma De Groen (born 1941), Australian dramatist
• Carolina Maria de Jesus (1915–1977), Brazilian fiction writer
• Ana Maria del Rio (born 1948), Chilean novelist and short story writer
• Márcia Denser (born 1949), Brazilian fiction writer
• Anita Desai (born 1937), Indian novelist
• Kamal Desai (born 1928), Indian novelist
• Dominique Desanti (born 1921), French novelist and biographer
• Gauri Deshpande (born 1942), Indian fiction writer, poet and translator
• Shashi Deshpande (born 1938), Indian novelist
• Noémia de Sousa (born 1927), Mozambican poet, journalist and activist
• Eunice de Souza (born 1940), Indian poet and literary critic
• Subha Devakul (1928–1993), Thai fiction writer and TV scriptwriter
• Saroop Dhruv (born 1948), Indian poet and social activist
• Nafissatou Niang Diallo (1941–1982), Senegalese novelist
• Joan Didion (born 1934), US novelist and essayist
• Annie Dillard (born 1945), US nonfiction writer and poet
• Ophelia O. Dimalanta (born 1934), Philippine poet
• Blaga Nikolova Dimitrova (born 1922), Bulgarian poet, novelist and playwright
• Kiki Dimoula (born 1931), Greek poet
• Ding Ling (1904–1986), Chinese fiction writer
• Nurhayati Srihardini Siti Nukatin (born 1936), Indonesian novelist and short story writer
• Diane Di Prima (born 1934), US poet and dramatist
• Jenny Diski (born 1947), US novelist
• Tove Ditlevsen (1918–1976), Danish poet and novelist
• Chitra Bannerjee Divakaruni (born 1956), Indian-US poet and fiction writer
• Assia Djebar (Fatima-Zohra Imalhayene) (born 1935), Algerian novelist and filmmaker
• Djura (born 1949), Algerian-Kabyle writer
• Geneviève Dormann (born 1933), French novelist
• Renate Dorrestein (born 1954), Dutch novelist
• Maro Douka (born 1947), Greek novelist
• Rita Dove (born 1952), US poet
• Margaret Drabble (born 1939), English novelist and critic
• Slavenka Drakulić (born 1949), Croatian novelist and essayist
• Imme Dros (born 1936), Dutch children's writer
• Marilyn Duckworth (born 1935), New Zealand novelist
• Carol Ann Duffy (born 1955), British poet and playwright
• Maureen Duffy (born 1933), British poet, novelist and playwright
• Helen Dunmore (born 1952), British poet and novelist
• Nell Dunn (born 1936), British novelist, playwright and nonfiction writer
• Duong Thu Huong (born 1947), Vietnamese novelist and fiction writer
• Francesca Duranti (born 1938), Italian writer and journalist
• Marguerite Duras (1914–1996), French novelist and screenwriter

G

• Nathalie Gassel (born 1964) feminist writer and essayist

L

• Lori Ann Coleman (born 1968), African American writer, singer

M

• Ma Sanda (born 1947), Burmese writer
• Ann-Marie MacDonald (born 1959), Canadian dramatist and novelist
• Sharman MacDonald (born 1951), Scottish playwright
• Shena Mackay (born 1944), Scottish novelist
• Sindiwe Magona (born 1943). South African novelist, memoirist, and short-story writer
• Mahasweta Devi (born 1926), Indian novelist, short-story writer and journalist
• Maryam Mahbub (born 1953), Afghan short-story writer
• Margaret Mahy (born 1936), New Zealand children's writer
• Jennifer Maiden (born 1939), Australian poet and prose writer
• Antonine Maillet (born 1929), Canadian novelist and dramatist
• Nancy Mairs (born 1943), US essayist and poet
• Sara Maitland (born 1950), British novelist
• Elena Grigoryevna Makarova (born 1951), Russian prose writer and essayist
• Nāzik al-Malā'ika (born 1923), Iraqi poet and literary critic
• Ileana Mǎlǎncioiu (born 1940), Romanian poet
• Françoise Mallet-Joris (born 1930), Francophone Belgian novelist
• Ma Ma Lay (1917–1982), Burmese writer
• 'Āliya Mamdūh (born 1944), Iraqi novelist, short-story writer and journalist
• Samīra al-Māni' (born 1935), Iraqi novelist, playwright and short-story writer
• Eeva-Liisa Manner (1921–1995), Finnish poet, playwright and translator
• Joyce Mansour (1928–1986), Egyptian poet
• Hilary Mantel (born 1952), British novelist and critic
• Dacia Maraini (born 1935), Italian novelist, dramatist and poet
• Mariana Marin (Marianna Pintilie) (born 1956), Romanian poet
• Kamala Markandaya (born 1924), Indian novelist
• Daphne Marlatt (born 1942), Canadian poet and novelist
• Monika Maron (born 1941), East German novelist
• Paule Marshall (born 1929), Barbadian-US novelist
• Carmen Martín Gaite (1925–2000), Spanish novelist
• Bobbie Ann Mason (born 1940), US short-story writer and novelist
• Olga Masters (1919–1986), Australian fiction writer and journalist
• Jenny Mastoraki (born 1949), Greek poet and translator
• Angeles Mastretta (born 1949), Mexican novelist and short-story writer
• Ronit Matalon (born 1959), Israeli fiction writer
• Ana María Matute (born 1926), Spanish fiction writer
• Novella Matveeva Nikolaevna (born 1934), Russian poet, songwriter and singer
• Marina Ama Omowale Maxwell, Trinidadian novelist and dramatist
• Friederike Mayröcker (born 1942), Austrian poet and fiction writer
• Anne McCaffrey (1926–2011), US novelist
• Sue McCauley (born 1939), New Zealand novelist, scriptwriter and journalist
• Colleen McCullough (born 1937), Australian novelist
• Val McDermid (born 1955), Scottish novelist
• Alice McDermott (born 1953), US novelist
• Medbh McGuckian (born 1950), Irish poet
• Terry McMillan (born 1951), US novelist
• Cilla McQueen (born 1949), New Zealand poet
• Candia McWilliam (born 1955), Scottish novelist and short-story writer
• Gita Mehta (born 1943, Indian novelist, essayist and documentary film-maker
• Alda Merini (born 1931), Italian poet
• Fatima Mernissi (born 1940), Moroccan sociologist and memoirist
• Anja Meulenbelt (born 1945), Dutch essayist and novelist
• Leila Míccolis (born 1947), Brazilian poet and fiction writer
• Hanny Michaelis (born 1922), Dutch poet
• Anne Michaels (born 1958), Canadian poet and novelist
• Farzaneh Milani (born 1947), Iranian poet and literary critic
• Sue Miller (born 1943), US novelist
• Krystyna Miłobedzka (born 1932), Polish poet
• Marga Minco (born 1920), Dutch novelist and short-story writer
• Ana Maria Miranda (born 1951), Brazilian poet and novelist
• Waltraud Anna Mitgutsch (born 1948), Austrian novelist
• Mo Mo (Inya) (1945–1990), Burmese writer
• Karin Moe (born 1945), Norwegian sexual/textual reformer
• Malika Mokeddem (born 1949), Francophone Algerian novelist
• Silvia Molina (born 1946), Mexican novelist and short-story writer
• Sylvia Molloy (born 1938), Argentine novelist and literary critic
• Libuše Moníková (1945–1998), Czech-German novelist and essayist
• Rosa Montero (born 1951), Spanish novelist and journalist
• Margriet de Moor (born 1941), Dutch novelist
• Lorrie Moore (born 1957), US short-story writer and novelist
• Finola Moorhead (born 1947), Australian novelist, playwright, essayist and poet
• Cherríe Moraga (born 1952), US playwright, poet and editor
• Giuliana Morandini (born 1944), Italian novelist and essayist
• Elsa Morante (1912–1985), Italian novelist
• Marta Morazzoni (born 1950), Italian novelist
• Dea Trier Mørch (born 1941), Danish writer
• Pamela Mordecai (born 1942), Jamaican poet and children's writer
• Nancy Morejón (born 1944), Cuban poet and translator
• Virginia R. Moreno (born 1925), Philippine playwright and poet
• Sally Morgan (born 1951), Australian autobiographer and biographer
• Irmtraud Morgner (1933–1990), East German novelist
• Iunna Petrovna Morits (born 1937), Russian poet and essayist
• Toni Morrison (born 1931), US novelist and essayist
• Micere Githae Mugo (born 1942), Kenyan poet, critic, playwright and activist
• Hazel de Silva Mugot (born 1947), Kenyan novelist
• Penina Muhando (born 1948), Tanzanian playwright
• Bharati Mukherjee (born 1940), US fiction writer
• Meenakshi Mukherjee (1937–2009), Indian literary critic
• Herta Müller (born 1953), German-Romanian novelist
• Alice Munro (born 1931), Canadian short-story writer
• Iris Murdoch (1919–1999), British novelist

N

• Kishwar Naheed (born 1940), Pakistani poet
• Huda al-Namani (born 1930), Syrian poet
• Suniti Namjoshi (born 1941), Indian-Canadian-British fabulist and poet
• Hamida Nana (born 1946), Syrian novelist, poet and journalist
• Carmen Naranjo (born 1931), Costa Rican novelist and poet
• Naravadee (born 1931), Thai fiction writer and poet.
• Valeriia Spartakovna Narbikova (born 1958), Russian writer and painter
• Emily Nasrallah (born 1931), Lebanese novelist, short-story writer and journalist
• Taslima Nasrin (born 1962), Bangladeshi poet and essayist
• Gloria Naylor (born 1950), US novelist
• Marie NDiaye (born 1967), French novelist
• Lauretta Ngcobo (born 1931), South African novelist, editor and fiction writer
• Giulia Niccolai (born 1934), Italian poet and writer
• Grace Nichols, Guyanese-British poet, children's writer and novelist
• Eilean Ni Chuilleanain (born 1942), Irish poet
• Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill (born 1952), Irish poet
• Nie Hualing (born 1925), Chinese fiction writer and literary critic
• Anupama Niranjana (1934–1991), Indian novelist and short-story writer
• Rebeka Njau (born 1939), Kenyan novelist, playwright and critic
• Francine Noël (born 1945), Canadian novelist
• Olga Nolla (born 1938), Puerto Rican poet
• Marsha Norman (born 1947), US playwright
• Amélie Nothomb (born 1967), Francophone Belgian novelist
• Nu Nu Yi (or Inya) (born 1957), Burmese short-story writer and novelist
• Flora Nwapa (1931–1993), Nigerian novelist, dramatist, short-story writer and children's author

O

• O Chong-hui (born 1947), Korean fiction writer
• Joyce Carol Oates (born 1938), US novelist, short-story writer, poet and playwright
• Edna O'Brien (born 1932), Irish novelist
• Julia O'Faolain (born 1932), Irish novelist and short-story writer
• Grace Ogot (born 1930), Kenyan short-story writer and novelist
• 'Molara Ogundipe-Leslie (born 1940), Nigerian poet, critic, editor and activist
• Ohba Minako (born 1930), Japanese novelist
• Ifeoma Okoye, Nigerian novelist and children's writer
• Sharon Olds (born 1942), US poet
• Mary Oliver (born 1935), US poet
• Maria-Antònia Oliver y Cabrer (born 1946), Catalan novelist
• Tillie Olsen (born 1913), US novelist and short-story writer
• Tess Onwueme (born 1955), Nigerian playwright
• Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker) (1920–1993), Australian poet
• Olga Orozco (born 1920), Argentine poet
• Elvira Orphée (born 1930), Argentine novelist and short-story writer
• Anna Maria Ortense (1914–1998), Italian novelist, short-story writer and journalist
• Lourdes Ortiz (born 1943), Spanish novelist
• Alicia Ostriker (born 1937), US poet and critic
• Aysel Őzakin (born 1940), Turkish novelist, short-story writer and poet
• Cynthia Ozick (born 1928), US short story writer, novelist and essayist

P

• Manjula Padmanabhan (born 1953), Indian short-story writer, dramatist and illustrator
• Pak Hwasŏng (Pak Kyŏngsun) (1904–1988), Korean fiction writer and essayist
• Pak Kyŏngni (born 1927), Korean fiction writer
• Pak Wansŏ (born 1931), South Korean fiction writer
• Marina Anatolyevna Palei (born 1955), Russian prose writer and poet
• Grace Paley (born 1922), US short-story writer
• Connie Palmen (born 1955), Dutch novelist and memoirist
• Kirsti Paltto (born 1947), Sami novelist, short-story writer, children's writer and poet
• Mrinal Pande (born 1946), Indian short-story writer
• Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo (born 1944), Philippine fiction writer and essayist
• Sara Paretsky (born 1947), US novelist
• Ruth Park (born 1918), Australian novelist, children's writer, dramatist and nonfiction writer
• Shahrnush Parsipur (born 1946), Iranian novelist
• Vesna Parun (born 1922), Croatian poet
• Gudrun Pausewang (born 1928), German fiction writer
• Solomea Dmytrivna Pavlychko (or Solomiia Dmytrivna Pavlychko) (born 1958), Ukrainian critic, memoirist, essayist and translator
• Urmila Pawar (born 1945), Indian short-story writer
• Iva Pekárková (born 1963), Czech novelist
• Cristina Peri Rossi (born 1941), Uruguayan novelist, short-story writer, poet
• Synnøve Persen (born 1950), Sami poet and visual artist
• Ioana Emanuela Petrescu (1941–90), Romanian literary critic and essayist
• Sandra Petrignani (norn 1952), Italian journalist and short-story writer
• Lyudmila Petrushevskaya (born 1938), Russian prose writer, playwright and journalist
• Pham Thi Hoai (born 1960), Vietnamese novelist and short-story writer
• Phan Thi Vang-Anh (born 1968), Vietnamese short-story writer
• Marlene Nourbese Philip (born 1947), Tobagan-Canadian poet and novelist
• Jayne Anne Phillips (born 1952), US novelist and short-story writer
• Marge Piercy (born 1936), US poet and novelist
• Hava Pinchas-Cohen (born 1955), Israeli poet
• Gisèle Pineau (born 1956), Guadeloupean novelist
• Ping Lu (born 1953), Chinese-Taiwan fiction writer and journalist
• Nélida Piñon (born 1937), Brazlian fiction writer
• Alejandra Pizarnik (1936–1972), Argentine poet and translator
• Sylvia Plath (1932–1963), US poet and novelist
• Agneta Pleijel (born 1940), Swedish playwright
• Irina Nikolaevna Polianskaia (born 1952), Russian prose writer
• Velma Pollard (born 1937), Jamaican poet and fiction writer
• Katha Pollitt (born 1949), US essayist and poet
• Elena Poniatowska (born 1933), Mexican novelist and journalist
• Halina Poświatowska (1935–1967), Polish poet and autobiographer
• Adélia Prado (born 1935), Brazilian poet and fiction writer
• Amrita Pritam (born 1919), Indian poet and fiction writer
• Lenka Procházková (born 1951), Czech prose writer
• Francine Prose (born 1947), US novelist and essayist
• Suzanne Prou (1920–1995), French novelist
• E. Annie Proulx (born 1935), US novelist and short-story writer
• Anne Provoost (born 1964), Flemish children's writer
• María Luisa Puga (born 1944), Mexican novelist and short-story writer

Q

• Suhayr al-Qalamāwī (1911–1997), Egyptian novelist, short-story writer and literary critic
• Magaly Quiñones (born 1945), Puerto Rican poet

R

• Valentina Dimitrova Radinska (born 1951), Bulgarian poet, essayist and translator
• Nasrin Rahimieh (born 1958), Iranian literary critic and editor
• Hanna Rambe (born 1940), Indonesian fiction writer and journalist
• Franca Rame (born 1929), Italian dramatist
• Fabrizia Ramondino (born 1936), Italian writer, essayist and screenwriter
• Ravinder Randhawa (born 1952), Indian-British short-story writer and novelist
• Irina Borisovna Ratushinskaia (born 1954), Russian poet, memoirist and prose writer
• Muniru Ravanipur (born 1954), Iranian novelist
• Dahlia Ravikovitch (born 1936), Israeli poet
• Pratibha Ray (born 1944), Indian novelist
• Hannie Rayson (born 1957), Australian playwright and freelance writer
• Marie Redonnet (born 1948), French novelist and dramatist
• Ruth Rehmann (born 1922), German novelist and short story writer
• Christa Reinig (born 1926), German novelist
• Gerlind Reinshagen (born 1926), German playwright
• Ruth Rendell (born 1930), English mystery writer and short-story writer
• Fahmida Riaz (born 1945), Pakistani poet and fiction writer
• Esmeralda Ribeiro (born 1958), Brazilian poet, short-story writer and journalist
• Anne Rice (born 1941), US novelist
• Adrienne Rich (born 1929), US poet and essayist
• Sylvie Richterová (born 1945), Czech prose writer
• Alifa Rifaat (1930–1996), Egyptian short-story writer
• Christine de Rivoyre (born 1921), French novelist and journalist
• Michèle Roberts (born 1949), British novelist and poet
• Régine Robin (born 1939), French-Canadian novelist
• Marilynne Robinson (born 1944), US novelist
• Mireya Robles (born 1934), Cuban-US poet, novelist and short-story writer
• Christiane Rochefort (1917–1998), French novelist
• Mercè Rodoreda (1908–1983), Catalan fiction writer
• Judith Rodriguez (born 1936), Australian poet and editor
• Astrid Roemer (born 1947), Surinamese novelist and poet
• Lalla Romano (born 1909, Italian novelist
• Rong Zi (born 1928), Chinese-Taiwan poet
• Ninotchka Rosca (born 1946), Philippine fiction writer and essayist
• Amelia Rosselli (1930–1996), Italian poet
• Arundhati Roy (born 1961), Indian novelist
• Gabrielle Roy (1909–1983), Canadian novelist
• Ru Zhijuan (born 1925), Chinese fiction writer
• Dina Il'inichna Rubina (born 1953), Russian prose writer
• Gillian Rubinstein (born 1942), Australian novelist and children's dramatist
• Renate Rubinstein (1929-1900), Dutch journalist, essayist and memoirist
• Helga Ruebsamen (born 1936), Dutch novelist and short-story writer
• Jane Rule (born 1931), Canadian novelist and short-story writer
• Carol Rumens (or Carol-Ann Rumens) (born 1944), British poet
• Layla Sarahat Rushani (born c. 1952-4), Afghan poet
• Joanna Russ (born 1937), US science fiction writer and feminist critic
• Gig Ryan (Elizabeth Ryan) (born 1956), Australian poet and songwriter

S

• Sarojini Sahoo (born 1956), Indian novelist, short story writer, poet, columnist and blogger
• Astrid Saalbach (born 1955), Danish playwright
• Souad al-Sabah (born 1942), Kuwaiti poet and economist
• Nawāl al-Sa'dāwī (born 1930), Egyptian novelist, short-story writer and activist
• Mallika Sengupta (born 1960), Indian Bengali poet, writer, gender activist and sociologist
• Nina Mikhailovna Sadur (born 1950), Russian prose writer and playwright
• Elif Şafak (born 1971), Turkish novelist and historian
• Tahirih Saffarzedeh (born 1936), Iranian poet
• Françoise Sagan (born 1935), French novelist and dramatist
• Nayantara Sahgal (born 1927), Indian novelist
• Bahar Said (born c. 1954), Afghan poet
• Titie Said (born 1935), Indonesian fiction writer
• Lisa St Aubin de Teran (born 1953), British novelist, poet and travel writer
• Zdena Salivarová (born 1933), Czech prose writer
• Mary Jo Salter (born 1954), US poet
• Ghāda al-Sammān (born 1942, Syrian novelist
• Helke Sander (born 1937), German film-maker and prose writer
• Francesca Sanvitale (born 1928), Italian novelist and journalist
• Nathalie Sarraute (1900–1999), French novelist and dramatist
• Ratna Sarumpaet (born 1949), Indonesian dramatist
• Munā al-Sa'ūdī (born 1945), Jordanian poet
• Cathleen Schine (born 1953), US novelist
• Annie M. G. Schmidt (1911–1995), Dutch children's writer
• Solveig von Schoultz (1907–1996), Finland-Swedish poet and short-story writer
• Simone Schwartz-Bart (born 1938), Guadeloupean novelist
• Leïla Sebbar (born 1941), French-Algerian novelist and short-story writer
• Olga Aleksandrovna Sedakova (born 1949), Russian poet and prose writer
• Anna Seghers (1900–1983), German novelist and short-story writer
• Mabel Segun (born 1930), Nigerian fiction writer, essayist and poet
• Nava Semel (born 1954), Israeli fiction writer and dramatist
• Nabaneeta Dev Sen (born 1938), Indian fiction writer, poet and critic
• Olive Senior (born 1941), Jamaican short-story writer and poet
• Anne Sexton (1928–1974), US poet
• Ntozake Shange (born 1948), US dramatist, poet and novelist
• Hanān al-Shaykh (born 1945), Lebanese novelist and short-story writer
• Galina Nikolaevna Shcherbakova (born 1932), Russian prose writer and scriptwriter
• Tatiana Georgievna Shcherbina (born 1954), Russian poet
• Shen Rong (born 1936), Chinese fiction writer
• Shi Shuqing (born 1945), Chinese-Taiwan fiction writer
• Carol Shields (born 1935), Canadian novelist
• Shin Kyǒgsuk (born 1963), South Korean novelist
• Janice Shinebourne (born 1947), Guyanese short-story writer and novelist
• Elaine Showalter (born 1941), US feminist literary critic
• Shu Ting (born 1952), Chinese poet
• Elena Andreevna Shvarts (born 1948), Russian poet
• Si Pha (M. L. Sipha Ladavalya Mahawann) (born 1930), Thai writer
• Sidaoruang (Wanna Sawatsi) (born 1943), Thai fiction writer
• Bapsi Sidhwa (born 1938), Pakistani novelist
• Raija Siekkinen (born 1953), Finnish novelist
• Fríða Á. Sigurðardóttir (born 1940), Icelandic novelist and short-story writer
• Steinunn Sigurðardóttir (born 1950), Icelandic novelist, short-story writer, poet and playwright
• Leslie Marmon Silko (born 1948), US novelist, poet and short-story writer
• Kirsti Simonsuuri (born 1945), Finnish poet, essayist and prose writer
• Mona Simpson (born 1957), US novelist
• Maj Sjöwall (born 1935), Swedish crime fiction writer
• Michelle Cruz Skinner (born 1965), Philippine fiction writer
• Jane Smiley (born 1949), US novelist and short-story writer
• Elizabeth Smither (born 1941), New Zealand poet and fiction writer
• Krishna Sobti (born 1925), Indian fiction writer
• Zulu Sofola (1935–1995), Nigerian playwright
• Cathy Song (born 1955), US poet
• Susan Sontag (born 1933), US essayist
• Aminata Sow Fall (born 1941), Senegalese novelist
• Sevgi Soysal (1936–1976), Turkish short-story writer and novelist
• Muriel Spark (born 1918), Scottish novelist, poet and short-story writer
• Maria Luisa Spaziani (born 1924), Italian poet and critic
• Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak (born 1942), Indian-US cultural theorist
• Eintou Pearl Springer (born 1944), Trinidadian poet and dramatist
• Verena Stefan (born 1947), Swiss-German prose writer and poet
• Ginka Steinwachs (born 1942), German novelist, dramatist and essayist
• Eira Stenberg (born 1943), Finnish poet and novelist
• Anne Stevenson (born 1933), British poet and biographer
• Jennifer Strauss (born 1933), Australian poet, essayist and critic
• Eva Ström (born 1947), Swedish poet, novelist and critic
• Su Weizhen (born 1954), Chinese-Taiwan fiction writer and editor
• Sara Suleri Goodyear (born 1953), Pakistani-US prose writer and critic
• Rajeswari Sunder Rajan (born 1950), Indian feminist cultural critic
• Supunpasaj Supasiri (born 1948), Thai short-story writer and memoirist
• Efua Theodora Sutherland (1924–1996), Ghanaian playwright and activist
• Suwanni Sukhontha (Suwanni Sukhonthiang) (1932–1984), Thai fiction writer
• Anna Swir (1909–1984), Polish poet and playwright
• Meera Syal (born 1963), British-Indian screenwriter and novelist
• Wisława Szymborska (born 1923), Polish poet

T

• Véronique Tadjo (born 1955), Côte d'Ivoire poet and novelist
• Pia Tafdrup (born 1952), Danish poet and playwright
• Takahashi Takako (born 1932), Japanese novelist and fiction writer
• Takenishi Hiroko (born 1929), Japanese novelist and critic
• Marie Takvam (born 1926), Norwegian poet
• Susanna Tamaro (born 1957), Italian novelist, short-story writer and children's writer
• Amy Tan (born 1952), US novelist
• Goli Taraqqi (born 1939), Iranian novelist
• Latife Tekin (born 1957), Turkish novelist
• Lygia Fagundes Telles (born 1923), Brazilian novelist and short-story writer
• Emma Tennant (born 1937), British novelist
• Hilary Tham (born 1946), Asian-American poet
• Susie Tharu (born 1943), Indian feminist cultural theorist
• Audrey Thomas (born 1935), Canadian novelist
• Thomyanti (Wimol Siriphaiboon) (born 1945), Thai fiction writer
• Melanie Rae Thon (born 1957), US novelist and short-story writer
• Kirsten Thorup (born 1942), Danish novelist
• Tie Ning (born 1957), Chinese fiction writer
• Edith L. Tiempo (born 1919), Philippine poet and novelist
• Märta Tikkanen (born 1935), Finland-Swedish novelist and editor
• Totilawati Tjitrawasita (1945–1982), Indonesian fiction writer
• Miriam Tlali (born 1933), South African novelist, journalist and short-story writer
• Viktoriya Samoilovna Tokareva (born 1937), Russian prose writer, playwright and scriptwriter
• Tatyana Tolstaya (born 1951), Russian short-story writer
• Tomioka Taeko (born 1935), Japanese poet, novelist and fiction writer
• Rowena Tiempo Torrevillas (born 1951), Philippine poet, fiction writer and essayist
• Sue Townsend (born 1946), British novelist and playwright
• Marta Traba (1930–1983), Argentine-Columbian art critic, poet and novelist
• Rose Tremain (born 1943), British novelist and short-story writer
• Joanna Trollope (born 1943), British novelist
• Tsushima Yoko (born 1947), Japanese novelist
• Fadwā Tūqān (1917–2003), Palestinian poet
• Sirkka Turkka (born 1939), Finnish poet
• Patricia Turnbull (born 1952), St Lucian and Virgin Islands poet
• Esther Tusquets (born 1936), Spanish fiction writer
• Linda Ty-Casper (born c. 1930s), Philippine fiction writer
• Anne Tyler (born 1941), US novelist and short-story writer

U

• Dubravka Ugrešić (born 1949), Croatian fiction writer and literary scholar
• Adaora Lily Ulasi (born 1931), Nigerian journlalist and novelist
• Liudmila Evgen'evna Ulitskaia (born 1943), Russian prose writer and scriptwriter
• Luz Maria Umpierre-Herrera (born 1947), Puerto Rican poet and critic
• Uno Chiyo (1897–1996), Japanese novelist and essayist
• Jane Urquhart (born 1949), Canadian poet and fiction writer
• Laylā 'Usayrān (born 1934), Lebanese novelist and journalist
• Laylā al-'Uthmān (born 1945), Kuwaiti novelist, short-story writer and journalist

V

• V. Vinichayakul (Khunying Vinita Diteeyont) (born 1949), Thai fiction writer
• Vaidehi (born 1945), Indian short-story writer and novelist
• Luisa Valenzuela (born 1938), Argentine novelist and short-story writer
• Larisa L'vovna Vaneeva (born 1953), Russian prose writer
• Aritha van Herk (born 1954), Canadian writer
• Ruth Vanita (born 1955), Indian feminist critic, literary historian and poet
• Edla Van Steen (born 1936), Brazilian novelist
• Inna Gustavovna Varlamova (Klavdiia Landau) (1922–1990), Russian prose writer
• Svetlana Vladimirovna Vasilenko (born 1956), Russian prose writer and scriptwriter
• Ana Lydia Vega (born 1946), Puerto Rican short-story writer
• Svetlana Velmar-Janković (born 1949), Serbian novelist and literary critic
• Yvonne Vera (born 1964), Zimbabwean short-story writer and novelist
• Anne-Cath. Vestly (Catharina) (born 1920), Norwegian children's writer
• Bea Vianen (born 1935), Surinamese novelist and poet
• Cecilia Vicuña (born 1948), Chilean poet
• Bjørg Vik (born 1945), Norwegian short-story writer, novelist and playwright
• Maruxa Vilalta (born 1932), Mexican dramatist and journalist
• Idea Vilariño (born 1920), Uruguayan poet
• Linda Vilhjálmsdóttir (born 1958), Icelandic poet and playwright
• Barbara Vine, see Ruth Rendell
• Helena Maria Viramontes (born 1954), US fiction writer and editor
• Paula Vogel (born 1951), US playwright
• Yona Volach (1944–1985), Israeli poet
• Juliia Nikolaevna Voznesenskaia (born 1940), Russian prose writer, poet and essayist
• Irena Vrkljan (born 1930), Croatian prose writer, poet and screenwriter

W

• Elly de Waard (born 1940), Dutch poet
• Charity Waciuma (born c. 1930s), Kenyan autobiographer and children's writer
• Surraya Wahidi (born 1955), Afghan poet
• Diane Wakoski (born 1937), US poet and essayist
• Alice Walker (born 1944), US novelist, poet, short-story writer and essayist
• Maxie Wander (1933–1977), German prose writer
• Wang Anyi (born 1954), Chinese fiction writer
• Lulu Wang (born 1960), Dutch novelist
• Marina Warner (born 1946), English novelist, critic and children's writer
• Myriam Warner-Vieyra (born 1939), Guadeloupian novelist
• Wendy Wasserstein (born 1950), US playwright
• Herbjørg Wassmo (born 1942), Norwegian novelist and poet
• Phyllis Webb (1927–1997), Canadian poet
• Sigrid Weigel (born 1950), German feminist literary theorist
• Fay Weldon (born 1933), English novelist, short-story writer and playwright
• Timberlake Wertenbaker (born 1951), English playwright and translator
• Susan Wicks (born 1947), British poet and novelist
• Zoë Wicomb (born 1948), South African short-story writer, essayist and activist
• Marianne Wiggins (born 1947), US novelist
• Dorrit Willumsen (born 1940), Danish novelist and short-story writer
• Jeanette Winterson (born 1959), British novelist and short-story writer
• Monique Wittig (born 1935), French writer
• Amy Witting (Joan Levick, née Fraser) (1918–2001), Australian fiction writer and poet
• Gabriele Wohlmann (born 1932), German novelist
• Christa Wolf (1929–2011), East German fiction writer and essayist
• Bikwan Flora Wong, see Huang Biyun
• Judith Wright (born 1915), Australian poet, children's writer and essayist
• Sylvia Wynter (born 1928), Jamaican novelist and dramatist

X

• Xi Xi (born 1938), Chinese-Hong Kong fiction writer and essayist
• Xia Yu (born 1956), Chinese-Taiwan poet and songwriter
• Xiao Sa (born 1953), Chinese-Taiwan fiction writer

Y

• Yamada Eimi (Amy) (born 1959), Japanese novelist and fiction writer
• Lois-Ann Yamanaka (born 1961), US novelist and poet
• Yang Jiang (born 1911), Chinese dramatist and fiction writer
• Yang Kwi-ja (born 1955), Korean fiction writer
• Yang Mo (1914–1995), Chinese fiction writer
• Nazik Saba Yared (born 1928), Palestinian novelist
• Yoshimoto Banana (born 1964), Japanese novelist, short-story writer and essayist
• Ekaterina Petrova Yosifova (born 1941)
• Marguerite Yourcenar (1903–1987), French-writing novelist and translator
• Yu Lihua (born 1931), Chinese fiction writer
• Yu Luojin (born 1946), Chinese fiction writer
• Ovidia Yu (born 1960), Singaporean playwright
• Yuan Qiongqiong (born 1950), Chinese-Taiwan fiction writer

Z

• Oksana Stefanivna Zabuzhko (born 1960), Ukrainian poet, novelist and essayist
• Dina Zaman (born 1969), Malaysian poet and short-story writer
• Haifa Zangana (born 1950), Iraqi novelist
• Spojmai Rauuf Zaryab (born 1952), Afghan short-story writer
• Latifa Zayyat (1923–1996), Egyptian novelist, writer and activist
• Alki Zei (born c. 1926), Greek children's writer and novelist
• Zelda (Zelda Shneurson Mishkowsky) (1914–1984), Israeli poet
• Zha Jianying (born 1959), Chinese fiction writer and essayist
• Zhai Yongming (born 1955), Chinese poet
• Zhang Ailing (Eileen Chang) (1920–1995), Chinese fiction writer and essayist
• Zhang Jie (born 1937), Chinese fiction writer
• Zhang Xinxin (born 1953), Chinese fiction writer
• Zheng Min (born 1920), Chinese poet and literary critic
• Zhong Ling (Chung Ling) (born 1945), Chinese-Taiwanese fiction writer, poet and translator
• Zhong Xiaoyang (born 1962), Chinese-Hong Kong fiction writer
• Zhu Tianwen (born 1956), Chinese-Taiwan fiction writer, screenwriter
• Zhu Tianxin (born 1958), Taiwan fiction writer and essayist
• Unica Zürn (1916–1970), German novelist and poet
• Fay Zwicky (Fay Julia Zwicky) (born 1933), Australian poet and essayist