What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Fiction Writer
Jillian Cantor · Book · 2023
If you loved The Fiction Writer, start with The Ghost Writer (Roman Polanski, 2010) — a film on the same thread. Below: 3 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Fiction Writer across media.
What hooked you in The Fiction Writer is the unsettling realization that the most dangerous secrets are often hidden within the lives of authors.
Films on the same thread
The Ghost Writer
Roman Polanski · Film · 2010
Explores: Political Intrigue, Ghostwriting, Hidden Secrets.
Like the protagonist of The Fiction Writer, the writer in this film finds himself entangled in a high-stakes ghostwriting assignment that masks a much darker, more dangerous political reality.
The Housemaid
Paul Feig · Film · 2025
Explores: Class Conflict, Gaslighting, Identity Theft.
Much like the precarious situation Olivia faces in The Fiction Writer, this story explores the terrifying vulnerability that comes when you trade your identity for a new, secretive job.
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Marielle Heller · Film · 2018
Explores: Writer's Block, Literary Forgery, Female Anti-Hero.
If you enjoyed the desperate creative struggle depicted in The Fiction Writer, you will appreciate this portrait of a writer whose professional stagnation leads to morally complex, illicit behavior.
Series on the same thread
Off Campus
Gina Fattore · Series · 2026
Explores: Fake Dating, Emotional Healing, Coming-of-age.
For those captivated by the personal transformation of the lead in The Fiction Writer, this series offers a similar focus on characters navigating the intersection of professional growth and romance.
The Good Wife
Michelle King · Series · 2009
Explores: Scandal, Redemption, Second Chance.
Readers who connected with the themes of resilience in The Fiction Writer will recognize the journey of a woman forced to reclaim her life after a public, humiliating scandal.
The Beast in Me
Gabe Rotter · Series · 2025
Explores: Obsession, Gaslighting, Mind Games.
This series mirrors the intense, claustrophobic atmosphere of The Fiction Writer by pitting a famous author against a powerful, mysterious figure, turning her writing life into a genuine nightmare.
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair
Richard Levine · Series · 2018
Explores: Writer's Block, Mentor-Mentee Relationship, Small Town Secrets.
This mystery echoes the core premise of The Fiction Writer, drawing a struggling author into the dark, hidden history of a mentor whose life is far more complicated than it seems.
Podcasts on the same thread
Fame Under Fire
BBC Sounds · Podcast
Explores: Celebrity Culture, Misinformation, Media Ethics.
Just as The Fiction Writer examines the fragile nature of an author's public persona, this podcast peels back the layers of celebrity culture to reveal the messy truth underneath.
Passenger List
Passenger List and Radiotopia · Podcast · 2025
If you were drawn to the investigative spirit of The Fiction Writer, you will appreciate this relentless search for the truth regarding a disappearance that defies simple explanation.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Fiction Writer a standalone novel?
Yes, The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor is a standalone novel published in 2023. It follows the story of Olivia Fitzgerald as she navigates a difficult career period and accepts a mysterious ghostwriting opportunity, and it does not belong to a series.
What is the premise of The Fiction Writer?
The Fiction Writer focuses on Olivia Fitzgerald, a literary star struggling with a failed novel and a breakup. When she accepts a lucrative ghostwriting job, she must sign a non-disclosure agreement, which leads her into a complex professional situation that challenges her as a writer.
What inspired the failed novel mentioned in The Fiction Writer?
In The Fiction Writer, the protagonist Olivia Fitzgerald writes a novel that is described as a retelling of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca. This specific project is portrayed as a critical and commercial flop, which contributes to the professional decline she faces at the start of the book.
Does The Fiction Writer involve the protagonist's personal life?
Yes, The Fiction Writer explores the personal life of Olivia Fitzgerald alongside her career struggles. The story begins with the collapse of her nine-year relationship, which, combined with her writer's block and the pressure of her failing career, serves as the primary catalyst for her accepting the ghostwriting job.