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.

A

Sonja Åkesson, 1968.

• 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

Ana Castillo

• 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

Edwidge Danticat

Joan Didion

• 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

Mrinal Pande

Gudrun Pausewang

Anne Provoost

• 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 (1923–2012), 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