1. J. K. Rowling

Top of my list of authors I’d love to have a conversation with has to be Joanne Rowling. This incredible woman, who wrote the first Harry Potter book as a single mother living on welfare benefits, became the first billionaire author in 2012. You can learn more about her journey on her official website. I’d love a peek inside the mind that got a whole generation obsessed with reading and created a story that’s been enjoyed by millions of people all over the world.

2. Christina Rossetti

I have a book of Rossetti’s complete poems, and it’s 900 pages long, and then you consider all of the prose that she wrote too! A truly prolific writer, Rossetti intrigues me on many different levels, especially with her desire to find love and become a mother set in direct conflict with her religious beliefs. She seemed unable to find a man godly enough to give herself to, a theme that resonates throughout her classic literature gems.

3. Philip Pullman

Philip Pullman is one of the authors I’d love to have a conversation with because he wrote one of the most contentious and fascinating series of books of the twentieth century. You know a book is controversial when passages are censored and the books are banned by many schools and religious institutions. You can explore his works further on his official site.

4. J. R. R. Tolkien

Tolkien didn’t just write one of the best stories ever told; he also created multiple new languages and whole new worlds out of his own imagination. Much like the world-building of J.K. Rowling, I’d really love to talk to him about the inspiration for his Middle Earth novels (including The Lord of the Rings) and find out what he thinks about the various film and musical adaptations. Visit the Tolkien Estate for more deep dives into his world.

5. George Orwell

Nineteen Eighty-Four easily makes it onto my list of favorite books of all time, and I’d love to speak to the man whose dark imagination and cultural skepticism were behind such a novel. The book is a scarily accurate prediction of modern life, which is why so many of his neologisms have since entered the English language. If you're interested in similar themes, check out our list of modern authors you should read.

6. Jonathan Swift

The oldest writer to make the list, Jonathan Swift would be well worth talking to because of his brilliant satirical writing. He’s best known for Gulliver’s Travels, one of my favorite books of all time, but also wrote some great satirical essays. Who wouldn’t want to meet a man who suggested (not seriously, of course) that the poor sell their children for the rich to eat?

7. Oscar Wilde

One of the writers I’d love to have a conversation with definitely has to be Oscar Wilde. The Importance of Being Earnest had me in stitches, and The Picture of Dorian Gray is just fascinating. I’d love to find out more about his imprisonment and exile. You can read more about his life at OscarWilde.org.uk.

Before we wrap up, here are a few things I'd love to ask these geniuses:

So there you have it: the authors I’d most like to talk to. Some are still alive, most are dead, but all are talented geniuses. If you could have a conversation with any author, who would it be? Whether it's a classic poet or a master of horror like Stephen King, we'd love to hear your thoughts!