Top 20 Female Authors Chosen by IGN Women

As March marks Women's History Month in the US, we wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate the women at IGN and their favorite women authors. Last year, we shared staff picks in games, movies, and TV, but this year, we're focusing on a beloved pastime: reading. We asked the women of IGN, "Who are your favorite women authors?" and the responses created a diverse and captivating list that spans various genres and styles. Let's dive into the authors and comic artists that have inspired the women at IGN!
Sharon Creech
Sharon Creech's narratives beautifully explore themes of love, grief, and the intricacies of human existence. Her work resonates deeply with readers, offering a poignant reflection on life's complexities.
Notable works: Walk Two Moons, Chasing Redbird
Sharon Creech### Walk Two Moons
1In her unique and elegant style, Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech masterfully intertwines two stories, one humorous and one bittersweet, to craft a heartwarming and moving tale of love, loss, and the intricacies of human emotion.$9.99 save 30%$6.95 at AmazonSee it at AmazonKelly Sue DeConnick
Kelly Sue DeConnick is a trailblazer in the predominantly male world of comics. Her contribution to Marvel's Captain Marvel, transforming Carol Danvers into the iconic hero, has left a lasting impact, extending even into the MCU. Beyond the mainstream, her work in indie comics like Pretty Deadly and Bitch Planet showcases her versatility and commitment to feminist themes.
Notable works: Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman Historia, Pretty Deadly, Bitch Planet, FML
Kelly Sue DeConnick### Captain Marvel
1As Earth's Mightiest Hero, Captain Marvel is where she deserves to be. Navigating a pivotal moment in her life, she ventures into the stars, landing right in the midst of an intergalactic war!$125.00 save 46%$68.02 at AmazonSarah Rose Etter
Sarah Rose Etter's writing is both surreal and incisively clear, appealing to those who appreciate the unconventional. With only two novels to her name, both have made significant impacts. The Book of X and Ripe offer unique perspectives on life's challenges, blending the surreal with the deeply personal.
Notable works: Ripe, The Book of X
Sarah Rose Etter### Ripe: A Novel
1A surreal novel with “a dark, delicious edge” (Time) about a woman in Silicon Valley grappling with success and personal turmoil, as described by Roxane Gay as "utterly unique and remarkable."$18.00 save 12%$15.81 at AmazonSee it at AmazonIsabel Greenberg
Isabel Greenberg's work, such as The 100 Nights of Hero, weaves a rich tapestry of feminist medieval tales. The excitement surrounding the upcoming film adaptation, featuring Charli XCX, highlights her storytelling prowess.
Notable works: The 100 Nights of Hero
Isabel Greenberg### The One Hundred Nights of Hero
1In the tradition of The Arabian Nights, this beautifully illustrated work explores the secret legacy of female storytellers in an imagined medieval world.$11.31 See it at AmazonN.K Jemisin
N.K. Jemisin's The Broken Earth Trilogy is a must-read for any fantasy enthusiast. Her innovative storytelling and intricate world-building, particularly in The Obelisk Gate, showcase her exceptional talent. The series follows Essun's harrowing journey through a cataclysmic world, offering a gripping narrative that has won multiple Hugo Awards.
Notable works: The Broken Earth Trilogy (The Fifth Season), The City We Became
N.K Jemisin### The Broken Earth Trilogy: The Fifth Season, The Obelisk Gate, The Stone Sky
1This collectable boxed set edition includes all three books in N. K. Jemisin's NYT bestselling and three-time Hugo award-winning Broken Earth Trilogy.$49.99 save 45%$27.49 at AmazonSee it at AmazonT. Kingfisher
T. Kingfisher's prolific output is a testament to her creativity, offering fresh takes on classic fairy tales and horror. Her work balances gothic horror and dark fantasy with humor and well-crafted characters, making her stories both thrilling and emotionally resonant.
Notable works: Nettle & Bone, What Moves the Dead, Paladin's Grace
T. Kingfisher### What Moves the Dead
1A gripping and atmospheric reimagining of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher” from Hugo, Locus, & Nebula award-winning author T. Kingfisher.$14.99 save 44%$8.46 at AmazonSee it at AmazonHan Kang
Han Kang, a recent Nobel Prize winner for Literature, captivates with her haunting narratives. The Vegetarian, her breakthrough in English, explores themes of autonomy and resistance in a disturbingly mesmerizing way. Her subsequent works continue to delve into profound and often unsettling themes.
Notable works: We Do Not Part, The Vegetarian, Human Acts, Greek Lessons
Han Kang### The Vegetarian
1Celebrated globally, The Vegetarian is a darkly allegorical, Kafka-esque tale of power, obsession, and a woman's struggle to break free from the violence around her.$18.00 save 17%$15.00 at AmazonSee it at AmazonYume Kitasei
Yume Kitasei's imaginative sci-fi stories, such as The Deep Sky and The Stardust Grail, offer fast-paced narratives and richly built worlds. Her ability to craft engaging one-off stories sets her apart in the genre, and her upcoming novel promises more excitement.
Notable works: The Deep Sky, Stardust Grail
Yume Kitasei### The Deep Sky
1Yume Kitasei's The Deep Sky is an enthralling sci-fi thriller debut about a mission into deep space that begins with a lethal explosion, leaving the survivors questioning the crew's loyalty.$18.99 save 34%$12.59 at AmazonSee it at AmazonGail Carson Levine
Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted is a delightful introduction to fantasy for young readers. Her storytelling captures the imagination and encourages a love for the genre.
Notable works: Ella Enchanted
Gail Carson Levine### Ella Enchanted
1This beloved Newbery Honor-winning story about a spirited heroine is sure to enchant readers of all ages.$9.99 save 30%$6.99 at AmazonSee it at AmazonSarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas has redefined fantasy romance with her intricate world-building and compelling narratives. Her series, including A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City, weave epic tales of the Fae, blending romance and adventure seamlessly.
Notable works: A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, Crescent City
Sarah J. Maas### A Court of Thorns and Roses
0From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas comes a seductive, breathtaking book that blends romance, adventure, and faerie lore into an unforgettable read.$19.00 save 42%$10.95 at AmazonSee it at AmazonSilvia Moreno-Garcia
Silvia Moreno-Garcia's versatility shines through her diverse works, from historical romance to dark fantasy. Her stories, often set in North America with a focus on Mexico, offer fresh perspectives and compelling narratives.
Notable works: Mexican Gothic, Gods of Jade and Shadow, Silver Nitrate
Silvia Moreno-Garcia### Mexican Gothic
1From the author of Gods of Jade and Shadow comes “a terrifying twist on classic gothic horror” (Kirkus Reviews) set in glamorous 1950s Mexico.$17.00 save 43%$9.73 at AmazonSee it at AmazonErin Morgenstern
Erin Morgenstern's novels, The Night Circus and The Starless Sea, transport readers into dreamlike realms. Her lush prose and enchanting plots make her works perfect for those seeking immersive and magical experiences.
Notable works: The Night Circus, The Starless Sea
Erin Morgenstern### The Night Circus
1Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.$19.00 save 51%$9.33 at AmazonSee it at AmazonHelen Oyeyemi
Helen Oyeyemi's unique voice defies categorization, blending elements of fantasy and literary fiction in unexpected ways. Her novels, inspired by folktales yet distinctly modern, offer a thrilling and disorienting reading experience.
Notable works: Parasol Against the Axe, Gingerbread, Boy Snow Bird, Mr. Fox
Helen Oyeyemi### Mr. Fox
1The extraordinarily gifted Helen Oyeyemi has crafted a love story like no other. Mr. Fox is a magical book, endlessly inventive, as witty and charming as it is profound in its truths about human connections.$18.00 save 25%$13.59 at AmazonSee it at AmazonLeomi Sadler
Leomi Sadler's Tummy Bugs is a vibrant collection that showcases her unique style, blending bright colors with dark humor over a decade of work.
Notable works: Tummy Bugs
Leomi Sadler### Tummy Bugs
1Collecting Leomi Sadler's energetic work for the first time, Tummy Bugs serves as both an introduction and a retrospective to Sadler's deeply personal and exciting cartooning voice.$25.42 See it at AmazonSamantha Shannon
For fans of high fantasy, Samantha Shannon's The Roots of Chaos series, starting with The Priory of the Orange Tree, offers a rich and immersive world filled with dragons, magic, and compelling characters. Her ongoing series continues to captivate readers.
Notable works: The Roots of Chaos series (The Priory of the Orange Tree), The Bone Season series
Samantha Shannon### The Priory of the Orange Tree (The Roots of Chaos)
1A world divided. A queendom without an heir. An ancient enemy awakens.$10.92 See it at AmazonSee it at AmazonGail Simone
Gail Simone's contributions to comics, including her groundbreaking work on Uncanny X-Men, highlight her ability to capture the quiet yet powerful moments in superheroes' lives. Her accolades, including GLAAD awards, underscore her impact on the genre.
Notable works: Uncanny X-Men. You can pre-order the next release (August 5) on Amazon now.
Gail Simone### (Kindle Only) Uncanny X-Men
2A core group of essential X-Men rise FROM THE ASHES to face a world without a home - and without Professor X! $5.99 at AmazonSue Lynn Tan
Sue Lynn Tan's Celestial Kingdom Duology, starting with Daughter of the Moon Goddess, reimagines Chinese mythology in a captivating and romantic epic. Her storytelling and character development make these novels standout in romantic fantasy.
Notable works: The Celestial Kingdom Duology (Daughter of the Moon Goddess), Immortal
Sue Lynn Tan### (Book 1 of 3) Daughter of the Moon Goddess
1A captivating and romantic debut epic fantasy inspired by the legend of the Chinese moon goddess, Chang’e, in which a young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm.$17.99 save 32%$12.18 at AmazonMorgan Vogel
Morgan Vogel's work is both visually stunning and intellectually engaging, often exploring themes of alienation and technology with a haunting intensity.
Notable works: Nightcore Energy, Valle
Morgan Vogel### Nightcore Energy
1With a stiff, frightening pen, Nightcore shows us the world of a young man attempting to escape a world he feels fundamentally alienated from by immersing himself in technology—aligning with Morgan’s own experience as a teenage web-artist.See it at Organ.FailJacqueline Wilson
Jacqueline Wilson's young adult novels tackle difficult topics such as grief, substance abuse, and bullying, resonating with readers who have faced similar challenges. Her work has earned her numerous awards, including the prestigious Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire.
Notable works: "Girls" series, Think Again, The Illustrated Mum
Jacqueline Wilson### The Illustrated Mum
2Marigold's daughter thinks she is the most beautiful mum in the world, but she wishes she wouldn't spend so much money and stay out all night - it's scary.$21.31 See it at AmazonSee it at AmazonRebecca Yarros
Rebecca Yarros's Empyrean series combines adult fantasy with romance, following a young woman's journey at a war college for dragon riders. The series offers a blend of intense action and deep character development, making it a must-read for fantasy and romance enthusiasts alike.
Notable works: Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm)
Rebecca Yarros### (3 Book Set) Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm)
1Immerse yourself in this captivating fantasy series with three stunning books: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm, by #1 New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros.$91.29 See it at AmazonFor more, also check out Humble Bundle's great deals and specials this month for gamers and readers. Humble is partnering with CARE for Women’s History Month. When you purchase a Humble Choice membership this March, 5% of proceeds will support CARE’s programs.
Celebrate Women's History Month### Humble Heroines Bundle
0Take charge as powerful protagonists including Seelah from Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition, Jesse Faden from Control: Ultimate Edition, and Fury from Darksiders 3!See it at Humble Bundle
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