47 -- Self-Insert By An Author

[Lindsey]

47. Self-Insert By An Author

A self-insert is when the author writes themselves in as a character within the novel. The character may use the author’s real name, or be disguised by a different name but share many similar qualities to the author.

Example 1: Agatha Christie’s character Ariadne Oliver is considered a self-insert by the author. Ariadne is a mystery novelist whose frustrations toward her Finnish detective often mimic Christie’s own frustrations toward Hercule Poirot. Fun fact: “Ariadne Oliver discusses her book “Body in the Library” in Cards on the Table, published in 1936. Christie didn’t publish her version of The Body in the Library until 1942.” (Wikipedia)

Example 2: In Anthony Horowitz’ series, “A Hawthorne and Horowitz Mystery Anthony Horowitz 3 Books Collection Set,” Horowitz himself appears as an author and sidekick to the fictional lead detective. He appears under his own name.

The self-insert may or may not be specifically confirmed by the author. (For instance, many believe The Twilight Series to include a self-insert by Stephanie Meyers.) This is probably one of the more difficult prompts on this year’s challenge, so unsubstantiated self-inserts definitely work for this prompt.

As a creative interpretation, you may choose an author who made a cameo in the TV or film adaption of their book, even if they didn’t include a self-insert in the original book. You might also choose a series in which a self-insert occurs in one of the books, even if the author isn’t featured in the specific part of the series you’re reading.

As an alternate interpretation, any memoir or non-fiction read in which the author is featured will count toward this prompt.


Click here for our Goodreads List of suggestions

[Michele]

Temperance Brennan's cases are based on author Kathy Reich's real life cases, so I'm thinking they count. (Plus KR was a producer on the show Bones)

[Nicole Brown]

I've read plenty of Clive Cuddler books, and he likes to insert himself as a fancy car collector.

For this challenge, I'm planning on reading a Hawthorne and Horowitz mystery "The Sentence is Death"

[Lianne]

Lindsey wrote: "I'm planning on reading Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie"

I'm going with Dead Man's Folly, I think

[Milena]

The Sentence is a great one for this. Louise is a character in the book.

[Natasha]

Lindsey wrote: "I'm planning on reading Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie"

Thank you for the suggestion! :)

[Pie]

I just started reading Kin by Holly Black and there's a store in the background of one of the panels that's called Holly's Hardware.

[Shannon]

I think I’ll do a Stephen King novel. Maybe Misery. I know he self inserts in many of his novels.

[Carrie]

I'm so excited that #5 in the Hawthorne & Horowitz series, Close to Death, will be published in the spring of 2024! I loved all the previous books in the series, so this will work out perfectly for this prompt!

[Steven and Jessica Stewart]

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte'

[Andrea]

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett would be a good one for this - they deliberately set a scene in a sushi bar so that if it were ever filmed they agreed to put in the contract that they wanted to be extras in the background and so spend all day eating sushi together. Sadly, Terry Pratchett died before it was filmed...

[Therese]

I just finished reading Leaving Atlanta by Tayari Jones, and she put herself into this story as a minor character.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Anna Karenina

We will see on this one!

[Liana]

I’m planning on reading Chasing the boogeyman by Richard Chizmar.

[Angela]

Would Yellowface work for this prompt? Saw it listed on Storygraph under this one but wasn’t sure!

[Denise]

Angela wrote: "Would Yellowface work for this prompt? Saw it listed on Storygraph under this one but wasn’t sure!"

I read Yellowface with a book club and the moderator's research uncovered an interview with the author that indicated she experienced much of the envy the character of Athena did, so I say yes!!

[Denise]

I'm going to read Little Women (again) as it is the January pick in my classics book club

[Carla]

It’s between Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano and I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. Maybe both since my reading goal is quite high for 2024.

[Emma]

The Sentence

[April]

My book choice is New Moon by Stephanie Meyer

[Laura]

First Person Singular - Haruki Murakami

[Maddie]

The Pleasing Hour by Lily King! It's loosely based on her life.

[Celina]

For this one, I'm going to read How to Hear God, using the alternate interpretation of non-fiction read in which the author is featured. Last year I listened to How to Pray, also by Pete Greig, and it was all about his story of starting the 24/7 prayer movement.

[Christine]

The Enigma of Room 622 is great for this prompt!

[Isabella]

No Longer Human is semi-autobiographical (the characters are fictional) so I'm going with that

[Denise]

I read Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. One of my favorite classics

[Jaklin]

Misery finished 01/11

[Beth]

I read Conflict of Interest (Joe Dillard, #5) by Scott Pratt. Many of the personal details of the MC’s life mirror the author.

[Catey]

Carla wrote: "It’s between Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano and I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. Maybe both since my reading goal is quite high for 2024."

I want to read Hello Beautiful too but I can’t find anywhere that says it’s a self insert of the author! Do you have any info?

[Michelle]

Catey wrote: "Carla wrote: "It’s between Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano and I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. Maybe both since my reading goal is quite high for 2024."

I want to read Hello Beautiful too bu..."

I don't know if the author meant it as a self insert per se, but in this interview she mentions how one of the characters is very similar to herself
https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/inspired/...

[Hilde]

Michele wrote: "Temperance Brennan's cases are based on author Kathy Reich's real life cases, so I'm thinking they count. (Plus KR was a producer on the show Bones)"

I got some of them, and found Flash and Bones close to the top of a stack.

[Stephanie]

In Maybe Next Time the main character recommends a book by C.D Major-The other girl to the barista!

[Angela Y]

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

[Anna]

I read Gone with the Wind and it fits a ton of prompts. After some research I am putting it here. Looking at the life of Margaret Mitchell there seems to be a lot in common with Scarlet.

[Rayna]

I just read a short novel that fits this prompt: Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata. The author has worked in a convenience store (according to her GR profile she still does part time).

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

[Phil]

For this prompt, I've read The Seventh Scroll: The Egyptian Series 2 by Wilbur Smith which follows on from the first book in the series River God
This book is set in modern times with treasure hunters searching for the lost tomb of Pharoah Mamose. The story of Mamose was told in
the book River God and the treasure hunters reference Smith's book
in their search. Smith even has the characters criticise his book for it's historical accuracy.

[Kristy]

I’m reading Patrick Stewart’s memoir “Making It So.” It is so so so good!

[Annette]

Michelle wrote: "Catey wrote: "Carla wrote: "It’s between Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano and I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. Maybe both since my reading goal is quite high for 2024."

I want to read Hello Be..."

Great suggestion of one of Kathy Reichs books, I have one on the shelf at the moment, now adding to challenge pile

[Jen]

just finished https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... Summer of 69 by Elin Hilderbrand. In the Author's Note she mentions that she and her twin were born on July 17, 1969, and that she wrote the birth of twins into the book on July 16 to coincide with the moon launch. I think this counts?

[Moonkiszt]

For this prompt I just finished reading A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life by George Saunders . . . .a fantastic read, and the author is throughout which makes it even better!

[Im_a_knitiot]

I was considering reading a book (Ense und Krete by Walter Moers) where the author disrupts the narrative in intervals with random thoughts and scenes from his own life in a very funny way. Does that count as self-insert?

[Liz]

I'm reading Anthony Horowitz's Magpie Murders for this. But it just occurred to me that Fan Fiction by Brent Spiner would also work well.

[chris]

I've just finished Celine Dion's Let's Talk About Love: A Journey to the End of Taste (33 1/3, Carl Wison). It is quite a meta take on music criticism and definitely worth a read.

[Haley]

The Garner Files: A Memoir by James Garner - 4/5

[Rachel]

I read The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz. I'd never read anything like it before, with the author being the main character, but I enjoyed it.

[Reem]

Does this count?
I'm reading the book Circle of Trust, and one of the main characters is reading a different book series by the same author and he mentioned his own name.

[AngieA]

I decided to use "The Power" by Naomi Alderman for this prompt. I love how she inserted herself. Might also fit the "ghostwriter" prompt, sort of.

[Guylou]

My choice: VIRTUALLY YOURS by Jeremy Holt

[Becki]

I’m reading Crimes against a Bookclub, can definitely see the similarities between the 2 main characters based on Kathy and the other one on her best friend as well.

[Melissa]

Would Fantasticland be considered for this since it was written from an “author’s” pov and he made a note in the book?