Writers & Lovers is a novel an author writing a novel. Its themes aren’t necessarily self-conscious, but it is self-aware. There’s a metacognitive theme behind Lily King writing and publishing this book, relating to the love, blood, sweat, and tears a writer puts into their work. A major theme is therefore that dreams can come true with perseverance, as is demonstrated by Casey’s relentless commitment to her lifestyle. Even though her life is stressful and harder than the lives of her peers who chose more stable careers, that Casey can’t help but to live for her writing shows that her dream of expressing herself and being published is more than a goal—it’s a way of being. Casey rejects opportunities that could provide her with more security because those opportunities would take away from her writing time. Casey is non-negotiable about being a writer, often at the cost of her wellbeing. That Casey is ultimately successful in finishing and selling her novel shows the reader that the writer’s life is worth the struggle and the risk. Casey is talented and works hard, but it is her perseverance and unwillingness to give up on herself that drives her to success. King encourages her readers to appreciate the unique challenges of being a writer, specifically targeting those who may also be writers just like Casey.