Best Fantasy Authors Writers
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Best Fantasy Authors

Book Keeper Book Keeper 6,943 views 49 items 129 voters
Best fantasy authors include some highly recognizable names, like J.R.R. Tolkein and George R.R. Martin, along with some contemporary fantasy writers who are just beginning to make their mark on the genre. This list of the best fantasy authors includes some science fiction writers, horror writers and young adult fiction authors. Fans of fantasy know that there is always some overlap. All of the authors on this list have one thing in common: They've written fantastic, magical, mystical works of fantasy for fans to enjoy for years to come. Vote for your favorite fantasy authors here and add your own personal faves if you don't see them listed!

I've listed what I believe are some of the most well-known, popular fantasy authors ever, and I've added a few that may not always show up on a 'best of' list. Disagree with a choice? Vote it down. I'll be interested to see who wins the Tolkein vs. Martin battle for votes, too! The aforementioned (brilliant) writers are responsible for some of the best fantasy novel series' of all time - but I'd be remiss if I didn't also include authors like Robert Jordan ('The Wheel of Time' series), Ursula K. Le Guin ('Earthsea'), Tad Williams ('Memory, Sorrow and Thorn') and yes, J.K. Rowling ('Harry Potter') as well. All of these authors, in my opinion, deserve a place of honor on this list.

Hopefully, this list will grow and become totally comprehensive. Readers who are new to fantasy can use it as a great guide to find new favorite fantasy authors and books.
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Rank     Name
  1. 1
    Up 54
    Down 10
    1892
    #1 on the ultimate list
  2. 2
    Up 36
    Down 16
    1948
    #4 on the ultimate list
  3. 3
    Up 17
    Down 6
    1975
    #10 on the ultimate list
    added by: SimonD
  4. 4
    Up 22
    Down 11
    1929
    #9 on the ultimate list
  5. 5
    Up 23
    Down 12
    1960
    #6 on the ultimate list
  6. 6
    Up 25
    Down 15
    1948
    #16 on the ultimate list
  7. 7
    Up 32
    Down 22
    1965
    #5 on the ultimate list
  8. 8
    Up 20
    Down 11
    1898
    #3 on the ultimate list
    added by: AlfonsoVelascoSendra
  9. 9
    Up 20
    Down 12
    1946
    #14 on the ultimate list
    added by: Lons
  10. 10
    Up 22
    Down 14
    1948
    #8 on the ultimate list
  11. 11
    Up 12
    Down 5
    1944
    #17 on the ultimate list
    added by: SimonD
  12. 12
    Up 13
    Down 6
    1952
    #13 on the ultimate list
  13. 13
    Up 16
    Down 9
    1931
    #15 on the ultimate list
  14. 14
    Up 18
    Down 11
    1890
    #7 on the ultimate list
    added by: Lons
  15. 15
    Up 17
    Down 11
    1948
    #22 on the ultimate list
  16. 16
    Up 17
    Down 11
    1916
    #2 on the ultimate list
  17. 17
    Up 9
    Down 4
    1974
    #18 on the ultimate list
    added by: SimonD
  18. 18
    Up 12
    Down 8

    Robert Anthony Salvatore

    1959
    #20 on the ultimate list
  19. 19
    Up 13
    Down 10
    1918
    #12 on the ultimate list
  20. 20
    Up 7
    Down 4

    Mercedes Lackey

    1950
    #66 on the ultimate list
    added by: BrandenPynn
  21. 21
    Up 11
    Down 9
    1937
    #23 on the ultimate list
  22. 22
    Up 11
    Down 9
    1906
    #41 on the ultimate list
  23. 23
    Up 8
    Down 6
    1959
    #45 on the ultimate list
  24. 24
    Up 5
    Down 4

    Garth Nix

    1963
    #51 on the ultimate list
    added by: SimonD
  25. 25
    Up 18
    Down 18
    1947
    #11 on the ultimate list
  26. 26
    Up 1
    Down 0
    1972
    #65 on the ultimate list
    added by: AndersSvensson
  27. 27
    Up 11
    Down 11

    Margaret Weis

    1948
    #19 on the ultimate list
  28. 28
    Up 9
    Down 9
    1931
    #29 on the ultimate list
  29. 29
    Up 5
    Down 5
    1934
    #67 on the ultimate list
  30. 30
    Up 5
    Down 5

    Graham Diamond

    #75 on the ultimate list
    added by: CaAuthor
    Author of The Thief of Kalimar, Forest Wars, The Haven, new for 2012, Chocolate Lenin
  31. 31
    Up 3
    Down 3
    1874
    #24 on the ultimate list
    added by: AlfonsoVelascoSendra
  32. 32
    Up 1
    Down 1

    Wu Cheng'en

    1506
    #68 on the ultimate list
    added by: mwahahahaha
  33. 33
    Up 1
    Down 1
    No image

    Xu Zhonglin

    #72 on the ultimate list
    added by: mwahahahaha
  34. 34
    Up 9
    Down 10
    1939
    #28 on the ultimate list
  35. 35
    Up 7
    Down 8

    Tad Williams

    1957
    #61 on the ultimate list
  36. 36
    Up 6
    Down 7
    1916
    #44 on the ultimate list
  37. 37
    Up 6
    Down 7

    Mervyn Peake

    1911
    #69 on the ultimate list
  38. 38
    Up 3
    Down 4
    1824
    #73 on the ultimate list
    added by: AlfonsoVelascoSendra
  39. 39
    Up 5
    Down 7

    Susan Cooper

    1935
    #38 on the ultimate list
    added by: MilhouseVanHauten
  40. 40
    Up 3
    Down 5
    1953
    #71 on the ultimate list
    added by: MilhouseVanHauten
  41. 41
    Up 2
    Down 4
    1866
    #30 on the ultimate list
    added by: AlfonsoVelascoSendra
  42. 42
    Up 2
    Down 4
    1834
    #76 on the ultimate list
    added by: AlfonsoVelascoSendra
  43. 43
    Up 2
    Down 4

    Kenneth Grahame

    1859
    #70 on the ultimate list
    added by: AlfonsoVelascoSendra
  44. 44
    Up 3
    Down 6
    1950
    #80 on the ultimate list
    added by: AlfonsoVelascoSendra
  45. 45
    Up 3
    Down 7
    1878
    #79 on the ultimate list
  46. 46
    Up 1
    Down 5
    1870
    #78 on the ultimate list
    added by: AlfonsoVelascoSendra
  47. 47
    Up 0
    Down 4
    No image

    Anthony Horowitz

    1955
    #74 on the ultimate list
    added by: SimonD
  48. 48
    Up 0
    Down 5
    No image
    1886
    #81 on the ultimate list
    added by: AlfonsoVelascoSendra
  49. 49
    Up 4
    Down 10
    1983
    #77 on the ultimate list
    added by: SimonD
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    1. Ja Poniatoski
      Best Fantasy Authors at 2/17/2013 7:30 PM
      fantasy writers , ugh.
    2. Madelene Hellner
      Best Fantasy Authors at 9/02/2012 12:30 PM
      Admirable Fantasy Authors here.

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