This is a chapter about literary authorship and inspiration in contemporary literature. It takes as its subject one of the most significant and innovative Spanish novelists, Juan Benet (1927–1993), who, before publishing Volverás a Región (Return to Region, 1967), outlined the key principles of his narrative project in the essay La inspiración y el estilo (Inspiration and Style, 1966). Since then, he has been recognised not only for his fiction but also for his critical reflections on literature, which provide valuable insight into his creative process and literary philosophy. This study has, therefore, three aims. Firstly, it examines the various aspects of the literary profession as theorised by Benet, focusing on his approach to the concepts of ‘inspiration’ and ‘style’. Secondly, it analyses Benet’s engagement with other writers and literary traditions, shedding light on his affinities and the influence of his readings on his conception of authorship. And, finally, it explores the relationship between Benet’s theoretical propositions and his subsequent professional trajectory, considering how his reflections on inspiration and style shape both his fiction and his public literary persona.