Little known Authors that deserve more credit
 

If you had the power to make a little known author as well known as Jordan/Martin/Hobb/Eddings/Feist/Goodkind etc who would you pick?

I have two:

Kate Elliott and Lynn Flewelling. Elliott's "Crown of Stars" series is becoming more popular but it still isnt as popular as it should be. Flewelling's first series "Nightrunner" was good average fantasy. Her new series "The Tamir Triad" though is right up there with the big names in terms of quality and i'm making that call based on just the first book "The Bone Doll's Twin".

Oh and do you think it's harder for female authors to make it to the top of popular fantasy? Hobb seems to be the only female author that gets mentioned along with the big boys.

haven't read any female authors yet, but Sara Douglass gets good billing around here

Oh and do you think it's harder for female authors to make it to the top of popular fantasy? Hobb seems to be the only female author that gets mentioned along with the big boys.


Personally I don't think so. I think Kate Elliott is, as you say, getting more and more popular and if she can finish her series properly she'll get the proper respect for that. JV Jones is another rising star. I think you get popularity based on what you've written, not based on your gender.

Though I will say that with the exclusion of Hobb, I have sofar found that the best Fantasy series are by male authors. OTOH, I haven't read that many other female authors. Got a couple of renowned one on my to read stack.

But I don't think it's harder for women at all.

[This message has been edited by Mithfânion (edited February 19, 2002).]

Interesting point Caldazar, on the female thing. There are a number of women now emerging in fantasy that are getting critical acclaim and seem to be selling really well:
Jacqueline Carey, Sara Douglass (remember, I'm talking US perspective and she is New to US readers), Juliet Marilier.

There are some "classics" as well--Anne McCaffrey, Ursula K. LeGuin and Margaret Weis.

I'd say Elliot is picking up steam, at least on these boards. She is often one of the first recommendations by many people. Don't know that if she can quite fit in with the Hobb/Jordan/Martin crowd yet, but she's getting there. IIRC, King's Dragon the first volume in Crown of Stars was nominated for the Nebula Award. King's Dragon is on my HUGE to-read pile right now.

Lynn Flewelling, I've seen here mentioned here and there. I think on GRR Martins Web site he mentions The Bone Doll's Twin favorably.

To answer your question about making an author as well known as the group you mention--Matthew Stover. I know I constantly mention him, but the guy writes a HELLUVA tale. Possibly the best action, top notch characterization and some deep thinking stuff in there.

I can post back with a couple more authors I'd elevate...

I'd definitely vote for Jacqueline Carey because I think she's such a wonderful writer, I want everyone to enjoy her! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif Lynn Flewelling is another great author, as is Cecilia Dart-Thornton, an Australian author who's debut novel, The Ill-Made Mute was a fantastic read. A little different from your run of the mill stuff, and packed with mythology. Hey, I just realised all the above are women!

Dart-Thorton is on the pile too...
She had somewhat of a relatively big splash and great marketing from WarnerAspect considering she was a first time novelist.

Perhaps perceptions are that female authored books will have less action and more romance or a feminist slant? A small minded assumption, but I can see that happening. I agree there doesn't seem to be as many female authors that rise to prominance and get lots of publicity. JK Rowling is an exception.

If you had to write out a top five little known authors what would you put on this list? This information will help me to find those great little known gems.

Two that come readily to mind Kate Elliot and Sara Douglass.

Already mentioned in previous posts and both women

AND

John Marco

Actually females have figured quite strongly in fantasy. Elizabeth Lynn, Cherry Wilder and of course Ursula Leguin were all early writers whose work still stands the test of time. Lynn and Wilder are both a bit obscure as they were popular in a time when fantasy was not popular and when only works with elves dwarves and talismans acheived through quests were paid any attention for the most part. Wilder's Rulers of Hylor series is fantastic and highly recommended if you can find it in a used bookstore. She is supposed to be writing a second trilogy due out from Tor. Considering what Tor has been publishing of late, I find this amazing. Tor seems to produce one spectacular for three dronish clones.

Rawn, Roberson, Wurts, Kurtz, Kerr, McCaffrey, Cherryh, Lackey just to name a few have been producers of some wonderful (and some lackluster) works in the field.

I have never noticed a lack for female authors. It seems to run about even for what I tend to read.

As for overlooked? Jacqueline Carey I mist second. Ricardo Pinto is one of the best in the first book category. I await both author's next works almost as much as book ten of WoT.

Cherry Wilder and Elizabeth Lynn should both be investigated. Patricia McKillip is overlooked more than she should be I think. Jane Routley wrote a phenomenal book entitled Mage Heart. The subsequent sequels were well written and entertaining. But the debut sits high on my list of all time favorite fantasy books.

Victoria Strauss, Deborah Christian, Rebecca Bradley, Chaz Brenchley, Lisa Goldstein seem to all too obscure for the talent they exhibit.

Looking at my list I do find it interesting that many are women. Most have been around for some time and still seem to have a bit of trouble breaking into the mainstream awareness of the fantasy fans.

I think you get popularity based on what you've written, not based on your gender.

Mithfânion, I agree with you to a certain extent but I think the way publishers push/promote a book has a huge bearing on popularity. From what i've seen in Australian bookstores the publishers seem to promote male authors more than the female authors. Hobb is the only female author i've seen who had a display for her books. Popularity in my opinion is due to having your book prominetly displayed in the bookstore. Talent helps but people are more likely to buy something thats pushed into there faces than something they have to search for on the shelves. I'm talking about the average book buying person not the freaks who visit this forum http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif.

JohnH: Don't think Chaz Brenchly is readily available here in the states.

HEY! I resemble....errr..rather resent that remark! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif

Fantasy should have no boundaries thanks to amazon.uk Fitz! Seriously though, consdiering some of the dreck that is published here in the US, Brenchley should have been snapped up by now in my opinion. I still find it dismaying that Sara Douglass gets the accolades she does for what I consider slightly better than average work, while the likes of Rebecca Bradley is basically ignored. To each their own, I know. It still rankles a bit as Bradley seems to have fallen off the face of the earth at a time when her work appearing in the US should have brought more attention and hopefully more works forthcoming.

True, but those shipping and exchange rates are often cost-prohibitive.

That said, at some point I will be making a nice big $100+ amazon.co.uk order.

I've been off and on considering trying Sara Douglass just to see what the hub-bub is about, but the constant comparisons to Goodkind deter me.

DENNIZM:Tag Your It!
I just deleted the double post http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by FitzFlagg (edited February 20, 2002).]

Sorry FF, I just could not resist... http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

The Sarah Douglass books are better than Goodkind IMHO, at least the ones I have read, okay... you know I am a fan of his. I have to be honest... I cannot see the similarity... I can only recommend them to you.