| 100% | TONI | 4 | ___ Morrison, writer known for her novel "Beloved" |
| 83% | TONI | 4 | ___ Morrison, American writer known for her use of gothic themes in her acclaimed novel "Beloved" |
| 72% | SETON | 5 | Anya ___, American historical fiction writer known for her gothic novel "Dragonwyck" |
| 62% | DOROTHY | 7 | __ Parker, American writer known for her quips |
| 60% | SALLY | 5 | ___ Rooney, millennial author known for her novel "Normal People" |
| 60% | SARAH | 5 | ___ Waters, historical fiction author known for her novel "Fingersmith" |
| 59% | WEIR | 4 | Alison ___, historical fiction author known for her novel "Innocent Traitor" |
| 59% | EMILY | 5 | Charlotte Bronte's sister known for her novel "Wuthering Heights" |
| 59% | TEA | 3 | ___ Obreht, millennial author known for her novel "The Tiger's Wife" |
| 59% | KATE | 4 | ___ Quinn, historical fiction author known for her novel "The Alice Network" |
| 58% | AGATHA | 6 | ___ Christie, best known for her detective novels |
| 56% | AGATHACHRISTIE | 14 | British author known for her murder mystery novels: 2 wds. |
| 56% | ANNE | 4 | ___ Rice, American gothic writer known for her works like "Interview with The Vampire" and "Pandora" |
| 56% | ATWOOD | 6 | Margaret ___, Canadian writer known for her works like "Alias Grace" and "The Handmaid's Tale" |
| 55% | TONI | 4 | Morrison who won a Pulitzer Prize for her novel "Beloved" |
| 54% | AGATHA | 6 | ___ Christie, English mystery novelist known for her classic detective novels and short stories |
| 54% | YANN | 4 | ___ Martel, Canadian writer known for his Booker Prize-winning novel "Life of Pi" |
| 52% | IAN | 3 | Writer Fleming known for his spy novels |
| 51% | THIEN | 5 | Madeleine ___, Canadian short story writer and novelist known for her novel "Do Not Say We Have Nothing" |
| 50% | DEFOE | 5 | Daniel —, English writer known for his novel about Robinson Crusoe |
| 49% | JAMESBLISH | 10 | Sci-fi writer known for his "Cities in Flight" series and his "Star Trek" novels with 17-Across (2 wds.) |
| 48% | OHENRY | 6 | Writer known for twist endings |
| 47% | OHENRY | 6 | Writer known for his surprise endings |
| 47% | AESOP | 5 | Writer known for his anthropomorphic animal characters |
| 47% | NORA | 4 | Writer Ephron (who knew the identity of Deep Throat for decades, but no one believed her!) |
| 47% | RONA | 4 | Barrett known for her dish |
| 47% | MATAHARI | 8 | Dancer known for her execution |
| 47% | JEMIMA | 6 | Aunt known for her pancakes |
| 47% | IAMBWOMAN | 9 | Poet known for her footwork? |
| 47% | MARYQUEENOFSKITS | 16 | Monarch known for her sketches? |