I would like to have met Kafka and Maya Angelou. Maya Angelou wrote with such soul. I would like to meet Mark Mathabane and Karen Wheeler as I enjoyed their books so much.

I wouldn't want to meet Anthony Burgess as I have always found, "A Clockwork Orange" to be very disturbing.

I LOVE John Irving! Son of the circus is one of my favorites. His books are strange, true. I have heard him say that one of his writing role models is Robertson Davies, a Canadian writer, who also has strange elements in his work. I also loved A prayer for Owen Meany. Great writer!

Oops, ETA I don't know if I would want to meet any writer, unless it was Shakespeare. Me, "Was it you or Francis Bacon who wrote all those plays? Inquiring minds want to know!" Seriously, what a genius.

I am a Clive Cussler fan

I would be wary of meeting authors as I might not like them which would color my view of their books. That said, some authors have led interesting lives outside of their writing and I might enjoy hearing them speak on their non-writing interests. I think of people like Mark Twain, Barbara Mertz and Margaret Mitchell, just to name a few.

Recently, after listening to him fairly often on our local NPR station, I've fantasized about meeting Sherman Alexie.

PDJames was one of my heroes. Not only do I love her books, I have such great respect for her as a person. I would have loved to meet her.

Another of my heroes was the a Dowager a Duchess of Devonshire. Her book, "Wait for Me!" was a delight.

Garrison Keillor. I know he was still touring with The Prairie Home Companion as of last year, but it seemed like every time he was in my area, we had a conflict and couldn't go.

I would have loved to chat with Pat Conroy! I think I have read every book he wrote.

I would love to meet Jane Austin. Such a wit!

I've just picked up Irving's Widow for One Year from my TBR pile, and am engrossed. A favorite author is Peter Robinson, of the Alan Banks series. A favorite for many years was Michner, so should have to delve into ones I have not read. Love Ruth Rendell and Elizabeth George and think I've read most of theirs.

I have John Irving's The Painted House; my brother gave it to me after he'd read it. Said it reminded him of the time in which he grew up. I'd like to meet Stephen King, maybe have him over for dinner to see if he'd tell where his great imagination comes from. One of my recent favorites was his 11/22/63; didn't want it to end it was so good.

Not a 'must meet', but sorry not to find anything new from S. J. Rozan. DH and I enjoy her Lydia Chin and Bill Smith P.I. characters and the twisting plots. She has also taken on some serious social issues in her books.

Wally Lamb (except I didn't care for his latest), Richard Russo, and Edith Wharton come to mind as favorites.

I dislike John Irving and Joyce Carol Oates. Read one book by each many years ago, I won't bother again. Like Quentin Tarantino films, no thanks.

I read everything by David McCullough, Pat Conroy, John Grisham, and Doris Kearns as soon as I can order them on my Kindle. I would dearly love to talk with any of them.

A fascinating gathering of authors would consist of past Presidents of the US who had written autobiographies or other histories. What a remarkable collection of wisdom, wit, and experiences.

Kind of opposite - an author I don't like to read, but would love to meet... I could not get into his books, but I would invite Salman Rushdie to dinner anytime - he's a fascinating speaker. I simply cannot enjoy the magical realism style of his books though. I couldn't finish Gabriel Garcia Marquez either.

Evatex I've met Stephen King several times. He used to live close to my lake house in Maine. He's very tall and easily available to others although most people respect his privacy and never bother him. He has contributed so much to our little town from, saving a movie house from the 1800s and having a huge theater built around it with various indoor activities for people,to donating his time and money to many many organizations. Here's a sweet story. My best friends daughter was being treated for cancer, she was 18 and it was eventually fatal. While she was sick she loved to read and had to have people read to her. Her Mom mentioned it to Stephen and he came to McDonald house several times a week to read to her until the day she died. That's Stephen. I've also met Truman Capote (my man) and Tennessee Williams, so enjoyed both of them.

Eva, John Grisham wrote A Painted House, not John Irving.

I have Henry James in mind to read in my (even more) Senior years.

Doris Kearns Goodwin betrayed the trust of readers and academics alike by committing plagiarism in several books. She admitted to it and also paid a financial settlement to one of the sources of words she lifted improperly. These incidents and the resulting lack of credibility caused her to lose a recurring part time position she had with PBS.

Someone with a PhD as she has is expected to conduct themselves with the highest possible standards of integrity. She failed to do that and lost my respect - and readership. Also true for many others, her star was permanently tarnished.

David McCullough - I've read every book he's written. He's the best story teller I know. In the same genre of non fiction yarn spinners backed by impeccable research is Erik Larson, though his body of work is of uneven quality.

I really enjoy Clive Cussler too jemdandy. His real life exploits would be interesting to hear. Last year I read a lot of Jim Butcher. Interesting mix of current real life and fantasy , I imagine a conversation with him would not be boring !