What an interesting topic! Below is a list of authors I wish were still writing today. Most of them have passed away, and all are missed.
Jimmy Buffett: Jimmy was an accomplished singer and songwriter, but he also wrote several books. He passed away on September 1, 2023. I wish he was still writing and singing.
Grace Livingston Hill: A Christian author of over 100 books in the early to mid 20th Century, I often wonder what Grace would think of the world as it is now.
C.S. Lewis: A brilliant Christian author of The Chronicles of Narnia and many other other books, both fiction and nonfiction, his voice would be much appreciated now in these times.
J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and many other books, his creativity and world-building skills are missed.
Lewis Grizzard: An author and columnist who celebrated Southern life, his humor and wit are greatly missed. He passed away in 1994.
Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain): His ability to combine humor with social criticism would be welcome today.
Mary Higgins Clark: The Queen of Suspense passed away in 2020.
Robert Heinlein: He had a unique ability to imagine the future, some of which came true. He’s the author of my favorite book, The Door Into Summer.
Lawanna Blackwell: A writer of Christian Historical Romances, including The Gresham Chronicles, she is still living, but took a long break in 2016. I hear she may publish a new novel soon, but haven’t seen anything yet.
Virginia Rich: She is the first author I remember writing culinary based mystery novels with recipes. She was followed by Diane Mott Davidson and others. Virginia Rich passed away in 1985. Her character, Eugenia Potter, was a sleuth, an elderly widow, and a great cook!
How About You
Which authors do you wish were still writing?
Thank You
Thanks to That Artsy Reader Girl for Hosting Top Ten Tuesday.
I haven’t read any of these authors, nope, not even Narnia. Saw the first movie and thought that was enough LOL! I was like 15 or 16 when that came out so I felt “too old” for them like a good teen does.
My TTT: https://laurieisreading.com/2026/05/05/top-ten-tuesday-from-dusk-till-dawn/
Thanks for stopping by, Laurie.
I loved the Narnia series, they’re wonderful books. Great list, I’d like to see how a lot of writers would view the world now.
Here’s mine,
https://sarahcollinsbookworm.wordpress.com/2026/05/05/top-ten-tuesday-authors-i-wish-were-still-writing-today-ttt/
Yep, it’s a crazy world we live in!
Narnia and CS Lewis for me, mostbdefine definitely, Bonnie.
Yes, I love them too.
I think I should try some Mary Higgins Clark
I agree with you on many of yours and would add William Faulkner, Earnest Hemingway, James Joyce, Willa Cather… I know I’ll think of more later. What a fun post. Thank you!😊
Great choices, all!
I’d have to go with William Faulkner, Raymond Carver, and local poet Jack McCarthy. I’ll throw Raymond Chandler, Eudora Welty, and Flannery O’Connor into the mix, too. Truth be told, when an author whose works I enjoyed while they were living dies, I feel betrayed. (Irrational, I know!)
I know what you mean. I feel like I’ve lost a friend even though I never met them.
Exactly.
Great call on Flannery OConnor. a good man is hard to find is SO excellent.
Thanks! “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” was my introduction to O’Connor, and I was hooked!
Me too!
C.S. Lewis. What a treasure. Mark Twain made my list, too, this week!
My TTT list: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2026/05/ttt-humorists-i-wish-were-still-writing.html
C.S. Lewis was so intelligent and talented. His Christian writings really make me think.
Great wishes, Bonnie! 😍
Thanks Tim!
My pleasure, Bonnie. 😍
I had C.S. Lewis on my list too and I also wonder what he would think. Tolkien was on my list as well.
I have a Grace Livingston Hill book that I need to read.
Grace lived in a different time, so her views are very old fashioned, but I loved her stories and Christian messages.
My mom used to read her books and said they were quite simple.
I wish I had thought to add Mark Twain!
There are so many great authors to choose from. I have enjoyed looking at everyone’s lists.
It has been fun to see all the suggestions!
I had no idea Jimmy Buffett wrote books! Very interesting. MHC is on my list, too. She was my favorite author when I was a teenager and new adult. I’ll always love her.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Yes, he had some bestsellers in the 90s and 2000s. He didn’t write any books after 2008.
It would be interesting to me to see Mark Twain’s take on today’s world. I bet he could spark change and encourage a new way of looking at things.
I’ve not read all of Tolkien but I’ve added him to my list as well. Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/authors-i-wish-were-still-writing-today/
I saw you had Andy Weir on your list. I wonder why he hasn’t published anything in a while.
Bonnie, I would have also loved more books by C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. If I had made a list, I would have to have Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams on there too. 😊
Here’s something crazy: I’ve never read Terry Pratchett! I intend to.
I’ve not heard of all these authors, but many are ones that I’ve read and enjoyed. I need to check out Virginia Rich’s books. They definitely sound like ones I would enjoy and she is an author I’m not familiar with.