| 100% | JASONREYNOLDS | 13 | National Ambassador for Young People's Literature who wrote 18-Across and 39-Across (2 wds.) |
| 48% | RUDYARDKIPLING | 14 | English author who wrote the children's literature at 18- and 41-Across: 2 wds. |
| 44% | TONIMORRISON | 12 | 18-Across and 32-Across novelist who won the 1993 Nobel Prize for Literature (2 wds.) |
| 43% | DONDELILLO | 10 | Author of "Libra" and "Mao II" who wrote 18-, 26-, and 35-Across: 2 wds. |
| 43% | MALINDALO | 9 | Writer whose novel "Last Night at the Telegraph Club" won the 2021 National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2 wds.) |
| 42% | ASHLEYELSTON | 12 | "10 Blind Dates" author who wrote 18-Across and 32-Across (2 wds.) |
| 40% | JAIMEREYES | 10 | Young Mexican American who finds an alien scarab and becomes 18-Across: 2 wds. |
| 40% | LOUISEERDRICH | 13 | Native American novelist who wrote 18-Across, 44-Across, and 2020's "The Night Watchman" (2 wds.) |
| 40% | JOHNSTEINBECK | 13 | Nobel Prize-winning writer born February 27, 1902, who wrote 18-Across and 44-Across (2 wds.) |
| 39% | THEEMISSARY | 11 | Book that won the 2018 National Book Award for Translated Literature, written by Yoko Tawada and translated by Margaret Mitsutani: 2 wds. |
| 39% | EMERALDFENNELL | 14 | 16-Across, 22-Across, and 43-Across actress who was nominated for three Oscars for writing and directing "Promising Young Woman" (2 wds.) |
| 39% | BEVERLYCLEARY | 13 | Beloved children's author (1916-2021) who created 18-Across and 39-Across who would have turned 105 years old tomorrow (2 wds.) |
| 39% | BARACKOBAMA | 11 | Former U.S. President who wrote "Dreams from My Father," 18-Across, and 29-Across (2 wds.) |
| 38% | SHOELESSJOE | 11 | Nickname of "Black Sox" outfielder Jackson who's a character in 18-Across and 32-Across: 2 wds. |
| 38% | PEYTONMANNING | 13 | A former Indian Colts player who broke 18-Across' record for passing yards and passing touchdowns: 2 wds. |
| 38% | SHEMARMOORE | 11 | "S.W.A.T." actor who won an Emmy for his role on "The Young and the Restless": 2 wds. |
| 38% | CLINTDEMPSEY | 12 | Soccer player who achieved a hat trick for the US Men's National Team in 2015 and 2017: 2 wds. |
| 37% | IANKINSLER | 10 | Four-time Rangers and Tigers All-Star who played for and managed Israel's national team: 2 wds. |
| 37% | BRADAUSMUS | 10 | 1993-2010 catcher for six MLB teams who later managed and coached Israel's national team: 2 wds. |
| 37% | SARABAREILLES | 13 | "Love Song" singer who wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical "Waitress": 2 wds. |
| 37% | BEVERLYCLEARY | 13 | Children's author of 18-Across and 30-Across who has a public school named for her in Portland, Oregon (2 wds.) |
| 37% | FAYEKELLERMAN | 13 | "The Quality of Mercy" novelist who has written 27 mysteries featuring 18-Across and 40-Across (2 wds.) |
| 37% | DANIELLESTEEL | 13 | Bestselling romance novelist who has written more than 200 books, including 18-Across and 43-Across (2 wds.) |
| 36% | JULIANNEMOORE | 13 | 18-Across actress who won an Oscar for 39-Across (2 wds.) |
| 36% | LONELYTONIGHT | 13 | 2014 hit song for 17- and 39-Across: 2 wds. |
| 36% | DOLLYPARTON | 11 | "Jolene" singer who wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical "9 to 5": 2 wds. |
| 36% | FRANKSINATRA | 12 | Singer and actor for whom Paul Anka wrote the hit song "My Way": 2 wds. |
| 36% | KAZUOISHIGURO | 13 | British novelist who wrote 19-Across and 31-Across and was awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature (2 wds.) |
| 36% | CYNDILAUPER | 11 | "Time After Time" singer who wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical "Kinky Boots": 2 wds. |
| 36% | DAVIDMITCHELL | 13 | English novelist who wrote "Cloud Atlas," "The Bone Clocks," and 18-Across (2 wds.) |