[Jon Shannow]

When I realy got into Fantasy in the mid 80s the big thing was the epic story like Eddings and the Feist. Then we had humour with Pratchett and those brave few who tried to copy him after that in the earliy 90s I think Mercedes Lackey was the big newcomer with the Urban fantasy then came Cyber Punk with things like Shadowrun. Now here we are and there doesn't seem to be anything new. Everything that comes out seems to to trace its roots back to the Epic style of the 80s.

So here right at the begining what new contribution do you think this decade will bring to Fantasy. Beside realy long story's in realy realy thick books.:confused: :confused:

[milamber_reborn]

The next two decades may very well herald Jordan finishing the WOT series. Which I view as a bad thing. Another topic raised the shift toward grittier, sexier (and perhaps more violent) fantasy.

[ChrisW]

I wouldnt exactly call Feist and eddings epic. I thought it was Jordan who really Jump started the whole Epic fantasy. Feist and Eddings were still doing the trilogy thing in the 80's.

[Rob B]

China Mieville may very well be the next big thing. His books are weird, strange and mind boggling.

...and of course I would be remiss if I neglected Matthew Woodring Stover

[Qin]

Michael Swanwick and Jeff VanderMeer come highly recommended. Unfortunately, they're nearly impossible to find. Of course, both writers are nearly impossible to find on the shelves at either Borders or Barnes and Noble. Oh the irony.

[Rob B]

Actually Swanwick has been around for a while (at least 10 years, he's won the Nebula) and isn't too tough to find. I almost always see either Bones of the Earth, Stations of the Tide or Iron Dragon's Daughter in the bookstores I visit.

VanDerMeer is hard to find since he's published by small press, but you can always Click on our links to amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/sffworld) and order through them as it is usually available.

[Cygnus]

Many of the new fantasy books that I see and read seem to be going away from the traditional trilogy or epic style of storytelling. They are not so cookie-cutter farm-boy-saves-the-world kind of books anymore. Definitely more edgy and unique because I think that is what many fantasy fans want now. Honestly, it's hard to say if this is my own personal transition, or if the genre is going through this as well.

[orty]

Okay, I'm getting nervous. I'm down to scouring the internet for new people to read. I've read almost all of the recomended stuff. I've systematically obliterated the top 100 lists (with a few exceptions--stuff I can't find) and am now worried that I've read all the truly "great" stuff. I guess I'm operating on the premiss that if it's good it people will have read it. And, if they've read it there's a good chance I'd have heard of it. Right now I'm researching older and more obscure stuff...but I'm getting a little irritated--I don't like very much of it. Literature (I use the term loosely here) evolves. The novel evolved-- it got better in many respects. Is fantasy doing the same thing? Where is all the good new fantsay? I'm rambling. Well, if anybody has a responce to this I'd love to hear it.

Orty

[whitebelly]

Vandermeer's "City of Saints & Madmen" is finally available in a fancy hardback - with additional material compared to the PB - with an introduction by Michael Moorcock. Can be bought on amazon.co.uk.

Pioneer par excellence would be China Miéville, methinks.

[Thoringil]

Terry Goodkind entering the market and having seven amazing successes in a row. Harry Potter proves more addictive to kids than junk food. Lord of The Rings enters blockbuster-ville. The future of most upcoming fantasy is going to be more mainstream than ever before.

That doesn't necessarily make it "bad" fantasy, but more and more authors of the genre will be going after the next fantasy sensation...