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Have you heard of these 10 authors of color?

  • thoughtfulbrowngirl
  • Oct 5, 2024
  • 5 min read

Updated: Mar 30

For the past two years, I've been reading more than I have at any other period in my life. Partially because of unemployment, however, I've also been introduced to more authors of color, and stories that didn't exist when I was growing up. I prefer reading books with characters from the global south and within its diaspora.


I know there are many folks like me, who've already seen and gone through the most popular POC books—Arsenic and Adobo, The Proposal, The Vanishing Half—and I wanted to spotlight the potentially lesser known, but insanely talented writers of color I've seen.


Although Goodreads and Buzzfeed try their best, sometimes it's easier to discover these books just walking around a bookstore and reading the back of covers. Now you have a cheat-sheet for a page-turning-story-binge session.


Romance Fiction Characters with Disabilities LGBTQIA+

A romance QUEEN, we love the representation for WOC and neuro-spicy gals. I haven't read a book by her that isn't steamie, just to prepare you.


Honestly though the neurodiversity in women is something we rarely get to see. I'm so happy to see hot autistic people of color living their best life. We also got the queer representation, the babes suffering from chronic pain, and more!


These witty, adorable, diverse books are peak comfort vibes. Grab some tea and biscuits and dig in!


Romance Fiction Characters with Disabilities Vietnamese-American

One more time for the neurodiverse ladies, this time let's make it Vietnamese-American inspired. Helen Hoang's books are also steamy. You may see a pattern forming . . . Her characters reflect her Vietnamese culture and are so wholesome (still dirty, but like in an aww way?). She writes neurodiverse men and women, so far the books I've read all take place within one fictional family. Like not one nuclear family, but like cousin's and family friends.


This is one of those books that makes me so hungry. It's a true talent to be able to describe food in a way where you can picture and envy what you hear/read.


Mystery Romance Fiction Foodie Chinese-American

This one is not steamy but there is romance, we're seeing my tastes expand. All the books I have listened to a lot of these books, you'll definitely notice the voice of the narrator changes after the first few books. Each book is a mystery always and the protagonist, Lana Lee, always happens to "coincidentally" be involved. She works at her family restaurant and is obsessed with donuts, because what detective isn't? The author build an entire community of characters and shops in the fictional Asia Village plaza where her parents' restaurant resides.


In the first book she meets Detective Trudeau and a romance ensues. His character is written kinda deadpan which is always confusing and weirdly attractive. Sometimes introverts can deliver rizz through the smallest actions.


Fantasy Romance Fiction Indian-American LGBTQIA+

Just read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and it was SO cute. Once again, there is romance, but there's also chosen family, queer representation, oh and also magic! Brown witches, I mean tell me more.


Short-Stories Global South Fiction South Africa

Innards, Innards, INNARDS! Okay let me stop I'm a vegetarian, that's the actual name of the book. But a new author with a storytelling gift on par with Jhumpa and Khaled. She comes from South Africa, and this book was a collection of short stories. The opening of the first chapter, you just know it's gonna be good, you'll see.


Mystery Crime Romance Fiction Indonesian-American Motherhood Characters with Disabilities

I've only read one of her books so far but it was adorable, and once again, the writing makes you hungry! This author knows how to describe a meal . . . and a good cup tea. Like now I just want to go buy a bunch of Chinese teas but my wallet says maybe don't. Again mystery books, with a mix of chosen family, emotional abuse (major gaslighting) recovery, and some truly hilarious moments. The writing from an boomer immigrant reminds me so much of my mom, grandma, and aunts.


Mystery Romance Fiction Indigenous Native American LGBTQIA+

Started the series with Never Name the Dead where the main character, Mud, a Kiowa woman returns to her hometown after receiving an ominous phone call from her grandfather. Upon arrival, she is only greeted with more strange encounters. When her cousin Denny joins, she must navigate a list of suspects to a murder and theft, while also finding a missing person.


Rebellion Historical Fiction Motherhood Romance Japanese Occupation Korean Jeju History

Fair warning, this isn't a happy book, and it definitely isn't a fantasy, but The Mermaid from Jeju opened my eyes into a part of Asian history I'm ashamed I hadn't learned earlier. The most I knew about Korea was the famous dramas and bands, not their long-suffering history of foreign occupation. Furthermore, I didn't know there was a community of Korean divers until watching the movie Smugglers last year. I wouldn't say this is a fun read, more so enlightening on the struggles of Korea particularly during it's American occupation. We see how it directly impacts the main character, the folks they encounter, and the small community they grow up in.


Once you're done reading this, I recommend pairing it with Smugglers, and The Last of the Sea Women (available on Apply TV). All of these explore the Haenyeo community and culture, which is currently facing the threat of extinction.


Fantasy Fiction Vampires Werewolves Chinese-American LGBTQIA+

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed listening to the Zodiac Rising Audiobook. Even though aspects of the story are a bit cheesy, I like the vampire/werewolf love dynamics, there are still unexpected twists. There are multiple points of view from chapter to chapter, one from each major character. It’s a refreshing change, and I like seeing that the assumed heroine has some obvious flaws and moral failings. I’m really excited for the next installment!


Romance Fiction Mental Health Chinese-American Caretaking

Again for a cheesy premise and storyline, this story has some unexpected turns. It’s definitely a cozy romance, that makes you want to fast forward at times to see what’s going on with the love interests. There are some more serious issues covered like mental health, the caretaking for a parent, workplace harassment, etc. So I definitely wouldn’t go in thinking it’s going to be happy go lucky.


I'll keep you up-to-date as I discover more authors. I have a ton of books on hold at the moment, currently trying to get more into the fantasy realm. Ready to add more to the list!


Special shout out to Lisa See and Ann Aguirre, I'm not sure how either identify racially, but I can feel that their writing comes from a personal connection to their cultures. I've enjoyed reading Lady Tan's Circle of Women,The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, and The Only Purple House in Town. I'm currently listening to the Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop audiobook and reading The Grace of Kings, hoping to get my final thoughts out soon!


Books I have yet to read, but the sleeve leaves me wanting to know more about these authors of color








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