We’re all familiar with — and fond of — the queens of weird girl literary fiction. Household names like Ottessa Moshfegh and Mona Awad are currently running BookTok and are widely celebrated as some of the best women contemporary literary fiction authors.
While these writers are incredible, this post shines a spotlight on 8 lesser-known women literary fiction authors whose work has flown under the radar, authors creating stories that are strange, bold, and impossible to forget. These are voices and stories you’re guaranteed to love.
1. Lisa Taddeo
Lisa Taddeo is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite authors. Her books blend witty humor, morally complex characters, and thought-provoking themes, making them completely addictive. I first read Animal during a period of my life that resonated deeply, and it completely changed the weird girl lit game for me. Taddeo is a must read for anyone looking to explore the emotional depth and complexity that contemporary women literary fiction authors can offer.
2. Carmen Marie Machado
While this name is more well known, there is never enough appreciation around this incredible author. Carmen Maria Machado is a master of blending the surreal, the unsettling, and the deeply human. Her collection Her Body and Other Parties transforms everyday experiences into stories that linger long after you close the book. Machado’s writing is bold, strange, and original, making her a standout among contemporary women literary fiction authors. If you’re looking for stories that challenge expectations and stay with you, she’s an author you cannot miss. If you’ve already tried Her Body and Other Parties, try In The Dream House next!
3. Jenny Offill
Jenny Offill’s Dept. of Speculation is a masterclass in subtle, fragmented storytelling. Her work explores marriage, identity, and the small disasters of everyday life with a precision that’s both heartbreaking and hilarious. Offill is a standout among contemporary literary fiction authors, offering a fresh perspective for readers looking for literary fiction recommendations that defy convention. Her writing proves that literary fiction can be intimate, experimental, and endlessly engaging all at once. Not to mention, I’m OBSESSED with her book covers.
4. Elif Batuman
Elif Batuman’s The Idiot is a quietly brilliant exploration of young adulthood, identity, and the awkwardness that is life. With sharp humor and insightful observation, Batuman captures the subtle strangeness of everyday experiences in a way that’s both funny and profoundly thoughtful. I read this as a freshman in college, and the timing couldn’t have been better. As a standout among contemporary literary fiction authors, she offers readers literary fiction recommendations that are smart, introspective, and delightfully unconventional, perfect reads for anyone craving stories that stick with you after the last page.
5. Jen Beagin
Jen Beagin’s novels, including Pretend I’m Dead, Vacuum in the Dark, and Big Swiss, are darkly funny, messy, and utterly captivating. Her characters are flawed, eccentric, and deeply human, making her work a refreshing addition to contemporary literary fiction authors. If you’re curious about Big Swiss, I actually highlighted it in a previous article, it’s a perfect example of Beagin’s bold, unconventional storytelling. Her books make excellent literary fiction recommendations for anyone craving humor, emotional depth, and narratives that break from convention.
These incredible authors remind us that literary fiction doesn’t have to be tidy, predictable, or safe. By pushing boundaries, embracing complexity, and exploring the strange, messy, and deeply human, these contemporary women authors are redefining what it means to write and read “weird girl lit.” Their work celebrates curiosity, emotional honesty, and stories that linger long after the last page.
