Who are your favorite authors?

[Liz Pelletier]

I'm blogging about some of my favorite authors today at http://writeintheshadows.com/ and I'd love to hear about some of your faves! Help a girl out and suggest someone new to read. I need books. I need books. LOL

[George Allwynn]

What are you open to reading?

(*he said with a wicked grin...)

[George Allwynn]

My favorite authors...,

Hmmm. That's a loaded question!

Setting aside my love for classic greats (Doyle, Vern, Wells, Anthony ) I'll start off by saying, I don't read much of anything published by New York houses anymore.

To me, the voice of the average, modern day writer is nothing but a crumbled cookie cutter-dry attempt, dissected and milled by the 'good old boys' club and force fed to the general public as a flavorless ''You will read what we tell you to read and like it...'

Boy. Talk about a society of zombie-like readers. No wonder the intellect is going down.

Even those whom I used to enjoywhen they first came out - Anne Rice, Laural K Hamilton, Kim Harrison - all have left a sour taste in my mouth, as they started out with something fresh and later, allowed their creative vision to become jaded.

(*note - in contrast to authors Prachett or Gaiman - yet they are sci-fi/space/fantasy opera and not romance. I wonder if the genre makes a difference?)

An unfair assessment? Perhaps.

Yet, in my reading experience, when an author continues to sell out their fresh, unique approaches to conform to NY house boorish mentalities for more money/fame, it ruins any chance of making my top author list.

This is why I whole heartedly support and encourage the brave, Indie spirit of e-books, e-publishing, and small presses.

On the whole, these venues sport eager, unique voices, non-diluted and unfettered from the hum-drum, manufactured styles plaguing modern mainstream story tellers.

These authors, virtually unknown yet raising in rank, pen tales that delight the senses and tickle my imagination, inspiring me to continue my own trek into the publishing world.

GLBT romance authors such as Charlie Cochrane, Andrew Grey, Isabella Rowan, Jan Irving, John Simpson, Josh Layon, JL Langely, KA Mitchell, Bethany Brown, ZA Maxfield, Ava March, -- just to name a few -- these folks have impressed the socks off me.

Not only for their natural writing abilities, story telling prowlness, and imaginative plots, but for a refreshing, respectable dedication to their craft. Something I feel NY published authors are lacking, because the publishing houses drown out the true natures of voice.

The authors I have listed, honor the tradition, concentrating on the story their souls sings (instead of forcing an unnatural genre interest for the sake of churning out cardboard inadequates and passing them off as novels, in the hopes of making money - something that really butters my burnt toast to a crisp!)

In otherwords, they have earned my respect and admiration because they show no fear. They stay true to their voice and to their love of writing. And it shines through with each publication.

That's more than I can say for most mass-produced authors of the modern day.

My long winded, humble opinion, for what it's worth, pimping the way to an Indie revolution...

[*Ella Gray*]

Well, assuming you dig a broad rage.... I read everything written by Charles de Lint and Neil Gaiman, if your in a fantasy mood. Jacqueline Carey has become another fave, leaning toward romantic fantasy - she writes wonderfully (and she's a little naughty). Robin McKinley writes some great YA and urban fantasy. For something really cool, check out "Bad Monkeys" by Matt Ruff - I recently read it in one night!
Hope that helps, Liz. BTW, I got my First Step Contest confirmation - your the best!

Harrison : totally agree about Rice and Hamilton, what a shame...