Readers love finding secrets in a book they’re currently enjoying. It forms a special bond with the writer, as if they’ve been inducted into the It crowd.
Done well, these easter eggs become extra reasons to talk about your work. Don’t make them too obvious though, otherwise they feel like handouts.
What Are Literary Easter Eggs?
In books, easter eggs are hidden details or references you deliberately place in your books. Think of them as little secrets for any sharp-eyed reader.
They can be inside jokes, nods to other books, wordplay, or hidden clues that don’t fully make sense until later. They don’t change your story, but do add extra layers for those who notice them.
They’re subtle—at least, most of the time. Not every reader will find them. But those who do? They’ll feel like they’re onto something special. And that’s the point!
The term “easter egg” became popular in video games. Programmers would hide special features or messages for curious players to find. This practice probably existed way before then, just not labeled as such.
Famous Examples
Here are a few easter eggs that authors have hidden in their works.
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
Joe and his father, Stephen King, frequently add easter eggs to each other’s works. Here, a map mentions Derry, Maine (one of King’s frequent settings) and Pennywise’s Circus.
In King’s Doctor Sleep (published later the same year), Charlie Manx (villain of NOS4A2) is briefly mentioned.
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin
In Game of Thrones, Catelyn Stark takes Tyrion Lannister as prisoner. She is assisted by three men-at-arms named Lharys, Mohor, and Kurleket. The trio are a reference to the Three Stooges: Larry, Moe, and Curly.
Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll
At the end of the book is an untitled, acrostic poem. The first letter of each line comes together to spell out “Alice Pleasance Liddell”. That’s the name of the real Alice, who inspired the literary character.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
In the book, Offred notes an inscription carved into a desk saying, “M loves G, 1972”. You’d think it’s an important detail that’ll come up later on.
Not really. It’s a reference to Margaret herself, who formed a relationship with fellow author Graeme Gibson in 1972.
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
Each book in the series ends with an illustration that drops clues about the next one. For example, The Reptile Room features a man wearing clothes labeled “Lachrymose Leeches.” These leeches show up in the following book, The Wide Window.
How to Add Easter Eggs Without Making Them Too Obvious
Here is how you can add easter eggs that stick out like a sore thumb.
Bury in plain sight.
Hide easter eggs in details readers naturally skim over—like background descriptions, chapter titles, or character names. For example, a street name might reference a past event in your fictional world.
Use meaningful names or phrases.
Name a place, object, or character after something symbolic, historical, or personal. A reader unfamiliar with it won’t notice, but those who do will get the deeper connection.
Reference your own work.
Slip in a small mention of a character, setting, or event from another book you’ve written. It can be a quick line, a background character, or even a shared location.
Stephen King is notorious for this. He has a dizzying amount of self-references and references to outside works.
Use dialogue.
Offhand comments are great ways to hide easter eggs. For example, a chatty character might joke about something that seems irrelevant—until it’s not. It could tie to later information in the book (or series).
Or it could be a quick reference to something outside of the story. Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle has a lot of references to Doctor Who. Here’s a couple found in dialogue:
- Angela: “Raxacori– Oh never mind. It wouldn’t mean anything to you anyway.”
Raxacori could be a reference to Raxacoricofallapatorius, a planet from the Doctor Who universe.
- Solembum: “I have seen things that defy belief: whirlwinds of light spinning in caverns deep below the ground, men who age backward, stones that speak, and shadows that creep. Rooms bigger on the inside than the outside …”
Men who age backward could either be a reference to the Doctor’s regeneration or to Benjamin Button. Rooms bigger on the inside than the outside refers to the Tardis, which is frequently described as such.
No need to be direct.
Easter eggs should be subtle, or at the very least, not scream for attention. If they’re too easy to spot, they feel more like handouts than hidden gems. That takes the fun out of the discovery.
So keep things vague. Don’t explain them in the text or have your characters react in big, obvious ways. Let readers stumble across them naturally. You’re planting breadcrumbs, not hanging a neon sign that says “Look here!”
For example, Peter Pettigrew is shown walking around Hogwarts in the Marauder’s Map. He even crosses paths with Harry at one point, but the latter curiously finds nobody. It’s an early hint at The Prisoner of Azkaban’s largest twist.
If you go for direct, be cheeky about it.
Sometimes, you just have to embrace the boldness of the reference and lean into it. The Prisoner of Azkaban introduces you to two characters: Remus Lupin and Sirius Black.
Remus is a nod to the story of Remus and Romulus, the brothers raised by wolves who went on to found Rome. The name Lupin itself is a clear reference to wolves. Remus later turns out to be a werewolf.
Then there’s Sirius Black—his name is a direct tie to the Sirius star, often called the Dog Star. He’s later revealed to be an animagus who can transform into a big black dog.
Hide clues in visuals.
Incorporate some easter eggs in your book’s design. It doesn’t have to be illustrations. You can add small references in chapter headings, stylized drop caps, or other visual elements.
For example, each chapter in a mystery novel might have a lock symbol that gradually opens up as secrets are revealed. Or different symbols could provide clues for their particular chapter.
Test with beta readers.
Beta readers are a great way to test if your easter eggs are hitting the mark or getting lost in the narrative. You can have them read the story without any hints, then ask if they noticed anything unusual or familiar. Or you can tell them upfront that you’ve hidden something and see how quickly they spot it.
Either way, their feedback will show you if your easter eggs are too subtle, too obvious, or just right.
Why Even Hide an Easter Egg?
Easter eggs are mainly there for fun. They’re little rewards for readers who notice the details. It gives them a reason to reread your book and discover something new.
That kind of discovery builds loyal fans. It makes readers feel like they’re part of a secret club. And that connection gives them more reasons to share your work with others.
Easter eggs could also add details that reinforce a message or act as foreshadowing. For example, naming your character after a tragic figure from another author’s work might hint at a similar fate.
Lastly, they’re part of your signature. Whatever easter egg you add hints at your interests and influences. It’s also a nice way to pay respect to other creatives and their art.
What’s your favorite easter egg from a book? Share your thoughts below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- What Is a Red Herring? Definition and Examples
- Breaking the Fourth Wall: Your Guide to Breaking Boundaries
- Chekhov’s Gun: The Art of Foreshadowing
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
