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My friend Jan, who blogs here and works here (Isn’t she awesome?), asked me who were my top 20 Science Fiction and Fantasy authors. In pondering this question I came up with two lists. The main list is twenty authors I’ve read again and again who I would consider my top twenty. The second smaller list consists of authors I think are amazing but I’ve only read one of their books. As with all lists, this is just a glimpse of the authors I consider my favorites. I’m also adding Horror to the mix and excluding YA authors (that will be a different list).
Top 20 Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror Authors (no particular order)
1. Philip K. Dick
2. Octavia Butler
3. Margaret Atwood
4. Stephen King
4. J.R.R. Tolkien
5. Charlie Huston
6. Frank Herbert
7. Iain M. Banks
8. John Ajvide Lindqvist
9. Neil Gaiman
10.George R. R. Martin
11. Kim Stanley Robinson
12. Piers Anthony
13. Greg Bear
14. Alice Hoffman
15. Charles de Lint
16. David Wellington
17. Richard Matheson
18. Ray Bradbury
19. Kat Richardson
20. Jeffrey Overstreet
Possible Contenders
1. China Mieville
2. Alden Bell
3. Cormac McCarthy
4. Laura Bynum
5. Justin Cronin
6. Caitlin R. Kiernan
7. Patrick Rothfuss
Amanda Makepeace's Imagination Run Amok 
Interesting list, I’ve read several of the authors on both lists, although not all of them. If you haven’t read any of his works I highly suggest Brandon Sanderson, one of my favorite authors, the Mistborn Trilogy is one of the best fantasy series I’ve read and it has the coolest ending of any series I’ve ever read.
The Mistborn Trilogy is on my TBR list! I have the set, got it for Christmas last year. Now if I can just find time to read it.
Too cool of you to include me in your blog: as ever you are generous and gracious!
I have just printed out your lists and will be doing some searching/researching about the authors you mentioned that I have yet to take notice of.
Can’t wait to see your top 20 for YA … no pressure though. 😀
I had to mention you–you were the inspiration for the post! 😉 I’ll probably tackle the YA list next week.