Writer
Author, Creator
noun
This is a strange one, but only at first glance. You make a house. You'd think this would mean something like "building a house" or "construction" or something. Instead, it means writer. Think of it this way: A writer makes (writes and creates works) in their home. Writers don't make their word magic in a corporate office!
作家 is generally used to refer to someone who writes professionally as an occupation, especially in the field of literature. It can also be used more broadly to refer to a creator who produces individual works of art or craft.
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. Since the さく reading of 作 becomes さっ here, we've made a mnemonic for you to remember this reading:
Writers love soccer (さっか). In fact, playing soccer is how they get their inspiration. Try playing some soccer, maybe you'll become a creator too!
あの男の人は、有名なベストセラー作家です。
That man is a famous bestselling author.
この本の作家さんから、サインをもらいました。
I got an autograph from the writer of this book.
この作家のファンは、三十才以上の女の人が多いです。
Many of the fans of this writer are women over thirty years old.