[Luke_B]

I'm starting to round off my 2011 reading so I can contribute meaningfully to best of year discussions when the time comes. I'm looking over the 2011 books that I have seen buzzed and I've read or plan to read -- Abercrombie, Martin, Aaronovitch, Mieville, Priest, Roberts, and Stephenson. Looking at this list I've become uncomfortable with the fact that these are all male writers. I've gone looking for recommendations for female writers with noteworthy books released in 2011. I've turned up a few female writers, but the list mainly comprises of women who have released first novels this year -- Kameron Hurley, Genevieve Valentine, Stina Leicht, Erin Morgenstern. Apart from Jo Walton's Among Others I'm struggling to come up with any books by established female writers (e.g. not first novels) that I should be adding to my 2011 list. Anybody care to make any suggestions?

[algernoninc]

Ekaterina Sedia? I understand she has a new book and I plan to order it: Heart of Iron - apparently a story set in an alternate 19 century Russia, with steampunk elements. I liked her previous novels the Secret History of Moscow and the Alchemy of Stone.

Kate Elliott? i understand her new Spiritwalker series is quite good . Has 2 books out so far Cold Magic and Cold Fire.

[suciul]

In addition to the examples above which i both read - I found Heart of Iron too YA'ish in execution to fully enjoy it, while Spiritwalker is a huge favorite of mine and Cold Fire did not disappoint (currently it is in my top 10 of the year and I believe it will stay there) - in fantasy Jacqueline Carey, Carol Berg and CS Friedman are as established as it goes and they all had books out this year though part of series (2 trilogy endings and a #2), of which the Carey and Berg novels will be in my top 25.

Lisa Goldstein had a book out though it left me partly meh - good writing but the book read a bit pointless

In sf the Booker longlisted (though sadly not shortlisted) Testament of Jessie Lamb by Jane Rogers who is quite established but showing the parochialism of the sff reviewing scene I have not heard of before, is excellent

[Seli]

Mostly from trawling through the 'Fiction Affliction' posts that show some new releases on tor.com (up to the may releases) and a bit from discussion elsewhere.

Books I did not read, but from authors I am somewhat familiar with:
Elizabeth Bear had a couple of books out this year, while I did not read those I have liked her work before.
Seanan McGuire released a couple of volumes in her October Daye series. And as Mira Grant she has released Deadline, its predecessor did well on this year's Hugo ballot.
Elizabeth Moon released a new volume in her Paksenarrion universe.

Books that seem to have gotten some positive buzz:
I've seen people recommend Mr Fox by Helen Oyeyemi.
There is Deathless by Cat Valente

C.J. Cherryh published a new book in her Foreigner series.

[Pennarin]

C.J. Cherryh also released her long-awaited sequel to Cyteen. Or was it 2010?

[Luke_B]

Ekaterina Sedia is somebody I've been meaning to read but Heart of Iron doesn't seem to be getting as much buzz or rave reviews as her previous novels. Deathless is one that I have also been considering and Valente is another acclaimed author I've never tried. Again, though, her newest book doesn't seem to be as well-received as some of her previous books.

I think Elizabeth Bear probably suffers somewhat for being so prolific. I certainly wasn't aware she had new books out this year, but it doesn't surprise me.

Helen Oyeymi's book is one I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about, and probably one I should checkout. I was under the impression it was her first novel, but it looks like it's actually her fourth (and she's only 26 years old). It seems to be one of those genre books that has been picked up by a mainstream publisher and is being marketed as such. Of course, that doesn't mean it isn't a book that spec fic fans won't enjoy, but it doesn’t seem to sit clearly within the field to me.

A lot of the suggestions coming through have made me realize that many good women writers are partway through a series and have published books this year that don't really stand alone. Last year there was a lot of praise for stand alone books and first books in a series by women writers – Nnedi Okorafor, Lauren Beukes, Mira Grant and N.K. Jemesin. This year it seems like veteran authors such as Elliot, Berg, Friedman, Carie and Cherryh might be producing good books, but the buzz hasn’t been there because they aren't surprising or new or the books are part of a larger work.

[Rob B]

I came to a similar realization about a couple of months ago myself.

Some other authors not mentioned:

Seanan McGuirre/Mira Grant - one person, two books this year. Seanan's latest in her October Daye urban fantasy series and Deadline, the second of her Newsflesh trilogy. I loved the first one, Feed.

Cherie Priest published two or thee books this year.

Juliet McKenna launched a new series with Dangerous Waters.

Although SF, Jean Johnson (known primarily for paranormal romance) launched a Military SF series with A Soldier's Duty.

Diana Rowland published her fourth book, unrelated to any of her other series My Life as a White Trash Zombie.

[JustaStaffer]

Lots of good ones already mentioned but...

After the Apocalypse by Maureen McHugh is awesome. Short story collection might not be what you're looking for though.

Cat Valente wrote a few things this year... Girl Who Circumnavigated comes to mind.

Personally, I'd read Hurley ASAP. I think her stuff is tremendous.

[Joshua A.C. New]

C.J. Cherryh also released her long-awaited sequel to Cyteen. Or was it 2010?

I just ordered this yesterday, quivering with excitement. I'm cramming down the Heaven Chronicles by Joan Vinge before it gets here.

Ursula K. Le Guin's Wild Girls (https://secure.pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=322) came out this year, right? I 90% love her and the remaining 10% — her straw man opposition and deliberately incoherent conflict — I tolerate because I think it shows me a different way to think.

[Luke_B]

Another writer nobody has mentioned is Kathleen Ann Goonan who published This Shared Dream this year. It's a sequel to In War Times which received widespread acclaim. I haven't seen as much buzz for This Shared Dream, but it has some encouraging cover blurbs from Connie Willis and Ursula K. Le Guin and was well reviewed in Locus and by Michael Derida.