Fiction:
* John Steinbeck: A Nobel Prize winner, known for his poignant portrayals of working-class life and the American Dream, particularly in "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Of Mice and Men."
* Jack Kerouac: A Beat Generation icon, famous for his novel "On the Road," which captured the spirit of restless youth and exploration.
* Joan Didion: A master of essay writing and fiction, known for her sharp observations on California culture and the human condition in books like "Play It As It Lays" and "The Year of Magical Thinking."
* Bret Easton Ellis: A controversial author known for his darkly satirical novels like "Less Than Zero" and "American Psycho," exploring themes of wealth, hedonism, and nihilism.
* Stephen King: While not born in California, King has spent a significant portion of his life there and set many of his horror novels in the Golden State, such as "Pet Sematary" and "The Shining."
Nonfiction:
* Hunter S. Thompson: A Gonzo journalist known for his wild, subjective style in works like "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72."
* Malcolm Gladwell: A Canadian-born author who has made his home in California, famous for his insightful books exploring social psychology, like "Outliers" and "The Tipping Point."
* Michelle Obama: The former First Lady penned the bestseller "Becoming," a powerful memoir about her life and experiences.
* Michael Pollan: A journalist and author who writes about food, agriculture, and the environment, known for books like "The Omnivore's Dilemma" and "In Defense of Food."
* Yuval Noah Harari: An Israeli historian and author, currently residing in California, known for his groundbreaking work on the history of humankind, particularly "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" and "Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow."
Poetry:
* Robinson Jeffers: A poet known for his rugged, nature-inspired works, often set in the California landscape, including "Roan Stallion" and "The Double Axe."
* Maya Angelou: A poet, memoirist, and activist, known for her powerful verse and her unflinching exploration of race and social justice. While not born in California, Angelou lived there for a significant part of her life.
* Gary Snyder: A prominent figure in the San Francisco Renaissance, known for his environmental poetry and his connection to Zen Buddhism.
* Diane di Prima: A Beat Generation poet and activist, known for her experimental works exploring themes of sexuality, social justice, and spirituality.
* Alice Walker: A novelist, poet, and activist, known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Color Purple" and her powerful poetry exploring themes of race, gender, and identity.
This is just a small sample of the many talented authors who have called California home. The state's diverse landscape, vibrant culture, and complex history have served as fertile ground for literary creativity, producing a rich and varied literary legacy.