| 100% | PULITZERPRIZE | 13 | Prestigious award for authors, won by 42-Across for her first novel: 2 wds. |
| 48% | ALICIAKEYS | 10 | "Songs in A Minor" singer/songwriter who won the 2021 Audie Award for Narration by the Author for her memoir "More Myself" (2 wds.) |
| 47% | AMERICANGODS | 12 | Novel by 39-Across that won the Hugo Award for Best Novel and the Nebula Award for Best Novel (2 wds.) |
| 46% | GOSETA | 6 | Authored by 42-Across, "___ Watchman" is one of her two published novels: 3 wds. |
| 46% | INVISIBLEMAN | 12 | Novel written by Ralph Waldo Ellison (birthday today) which won the National Book Award for Fiction in 1953: 2 wds. |
| 46% | LOUISEERDRICH | 13 | "The Round House" author who won a 1987 O. Henry Award for her short story "Fleur": 2 wds. |
| 45% | NOBELPRIZE | 10 | Award 18-Across won twice, for her work in physics and chemistry: 2 wds. |
| 45% | ALICEWALKER | 11 | "The Color Purple" author who won a 1986 O. Henry Award for her short story "Kindred Spirits": 2 wds. |
| 45% | PULITZERPRIZE | 13 | Prestigious award won in 2018 by "DAMN.": 2 wds. |
| 45% | PULITZERPRIZE | 13 | Award won by 18-Across for "Beloved" (2 wds.) |
| 44% | PULITZERPRIZE | 13 | Award won by 40-Across for 18-Across (2 wds.) |
| 44% | SUSANCHOI | 9 | 15-Across and 33-Across writer who won the 2019 National Book Award for Fiction for her novel "Trust Exercise" (2 wds.) |
| 43% | EDITHWHARTON | 12 | 13-Across and 25-Across writer who was the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize in Literature, for her 1920 novel "The Age of Innocence" (2 wds.) |
| 43% | RULEOFWOLVES | 12 | Novel by 40-Across that won the 2021 Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fantasy (3 wds.) |
| 43% | BRUCEDESILVA | 12 | Novelist whose "Rogue Island" won the 2011 Edgar Award for Best First Novel (2 wds.) |
| 43% | JASONMATTHEWS | 13 | Novelist whose "Red Sparrow" won the 2014 Edgar Award for Best First Novel (2 wds.) |
| 43% | THEECHOMAKER | 12 | 2006 novel by 32-Across that won the National Book Award for Fiction (3 wds.) |
| 43% | THEROUNDHOUSE | 13 | 2012 Novel by 44-Across that won a National Book Award for Fiction (3 wds.) |
| 43% | PORKANDBEANS | 12 | Single by 42-Across whose video won a Grammy Award for Best Music Video in 2009 (3 wds.) |
| 43% | VIDEOVANGUARD | 13 | Achievement award won by 17-Across in 1987 (it was renamed in 1991 for Michael Jackson): 2 wds. |
| 43% | YOULLTHINKOFME | 14 | First song by 49-Across to win the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance (4 wds.) |
| 43% | THETRIP | 7 | With 42-Across, 2013 play revival for which 13-Across won a Tony Award: 2 wds. |
| 43% | ALEXBERENSON | 12 | Novelist whose "The Faithful Spy" won the 2007 Edgar Award for Best First Novel (2 wds.) |
| 43% | NEVERLET | 8 | "___ Me Go," 2005 novel by Kazuo Ishiguro for which he won the ALA Alex Award and which was also adapted into a movie: 2 wds. |
| 43% | GOLDENGLOBE | 11 | Award 29-Across won twice (along with three Emmys) for her role in "All in the Family": 2 wds. |
| 42% | MARSAIMARTIN | 12 | She won the 2020 NAACP Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress for "Little": 2 wds. |
| 42% | LUPITANYONGO | 12 | She won the 2020 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress for "Us": 2 wds. |
| 42% | AGATHACHRISTIE | 14 | British author known for her murder mystery novels: 2 wds. |
| 41% | JENNIFERHUDSON | 14 | Actress who won an Oscar for her first feature film role, in "Dreamgirls": 2 wds. |
| 41% | THEOVERSTORY | 12 | Novel by 30-Across that won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (2 wds.) |