We can all name a handful of great, legendary writers, but why are they great? What makes them so? Is it their writing, their observations on the human condition, their influence on the zeitgeist of their time, or something else?
We want you to pick just one author of books or comics and tell us, in some detail, why they're so fantastic. Legends whose appeal is often assumed rather than discussed are ideal, but any famous writer will do, or even simply your own personal favourite.
The 15 best and most detailed submissions get $2 apiece and are likely to be used in JABC's first-ever curated content. And ICYMI, there's still some time remaining on our first couple of bounties:
This reward closed to entries at 2:46pm on May 21, 2024 but you can still reply, react, and join the conversation below! If you’d like to enter other rewards which are still open, click here.
Cassandra Clare has to be one of my favourite authors I just love her books and the worlds that she creates. The Mortal Instruments series and the other series set in the Shadowhunters universe were such great reads and have sold over 36 million copies world wide! The Shadowhunter universe stories link together so beautifully even though some of the stories are set hundreds of years apart but they still fit in the greater story. I would rate her stories 10 out of 10 every time.
Oh boy, how do I pick just one? Even if I pin down my list to authors who haven't been mentioned here I have at least three I would gladly nominate.
Isaac Asimov
One of the greatest sci-fi writers of all times, his works provide the foundation for many aspects which are natural for us now in everything sci-fi.
My love for sci-fi started with Star Wars in 1997, and I was desperately looking for something more with space, starships and alien worlds in it. Among my dad's magazine collection there was one called Galactica which featured some novels from Asimov. I really liked them as they were short and interesting, something I could easily read at school during breaks.
The first books I read from him was the Lucky Starr series, which were once again short, easy to read and a good introduction into the "Three Laws of Robotics" theories. I love the "what if" scenarios and dilemmas so reading these books where robots got into a conflict with one of the laws really had me thinking for a long time even after finishing a book, and this is what I love about reading, when it doesn't end with the last chapter of the book, but gives you many more questions to think about and maybe even encourages you to write down your answers to those questions. I think this writing style is what made Asimov great, and why his works are so good to build on.
So if you want to get started with sci-fi and looking for an easy read, I highly recommend the Lucky Starr series from him. Some other examples of my favourites:
Foundation series - didn't dare to watch the TV series yet, as I want to re-read the books again in English this time before watching it
The Robot series
I, Robot - this is a short novel collection as well and the first work with the Three Laws of Robotics mentioned. I loved the movie with Will Smith, it's not a word-by-word adaptation, but grasps the basics of the robotics laws and its conflicts very well
One book which is apparently one of his best works is called The End of Eternity. I'm not sure if it was the Hungarian translation or I was just too young to understand it, but I put it down after one chapter as I didn't understand at all what was going on. Definitely a book I want to give another shot in English.
While I am not the biggest reader whatsoever (and this is relevant), I would be remiss if I did not speak on behalf of the late, great Howard Philips Lovecraft. Though during his time his works were grossly overlooked, in the subsequent years since his passing, a large and growing fanbase of his "Cthulhu" works has appeared.
Most avid readers are familiar enough with the name but his fanbase extends well beyond lovers of the printed press. Musicians, filmmakers, artists and all manner of people have paid homage to his works. Often labeled as "Cosmic Horror", his tales of unimaginable terrors have been cited as both reference and inspiration by countless individuals, including many of todays top rated horror novelists.
As a disenfranchised rebel of the 90s, I found his works (like so many others) through various friends from school. I was a big fan of fantasy during these years, marked by my obsessive affair with TTRPGs. I tried my hardest to fall in and read through the volumes of fantasy novels suggested to me but, for some reason, I simply cannot sit and read one in its entirety. To this day, in fact, the only books I can read effortlessly are what my peers loving refer to as tedious books; I read textbooks and other such material.
With that said, however, there was something magical about the works of H.P.L. that my mind simply would not let go of. His style of writing was unlike any other I'd encountered, often sending me midstory to search up an obscure word or two before rereading a passage. His horror was gripping but on a deeper, more primal level. In me, it invoked feelings of such dread and fear unlike I had ever felt, before or since. The images he painted with words still haunt my mind to this day, often losing myself in a daydream of fantastic lands and nightmarish realities. His books, which I own multiple copies of for some unknown reason, are the most dogged eared in my entire collection.
If you are a fan of horror and have not found this man before, you are missing out on some fantastic stuff!
Sir Terry Pratchett was a phenomenal author whose greatness lay in a combination of his sharp wit, keen observations on the human condition, and his ability to blend humor. His Discworld series, a collection of fantasy novels, is renowned for its satirical take on various aspects of society, politics, religion and culture.
Pratchett's writing was marked by his clever use of language and his capacity to craft multi-layered stories that entertain and enlighten simultaneously. He had a unique talent for creating memorable, complex characters who, despite living in a fantastical world, resonate deeply with readers because of their relatable struggles, virtues, and ofcorse - flaws.
One of Pratchett's most remarkable qualities was his ability to address serious issues such as death, war, and inequality with a light touch, making them accessible without diminishing their significance. His work often held a mirror to our world, encouraging readers to think critically about their own society while enjoying a good laugh. And this is a key aspect why i highligted him here.
He brought fantasy into the mainstream, demonstrating that the genre could be both thought-provoking and immensely popular. His work has inspired countless readers and writers, leaving an significant mark on literature.
My partner and I went to the exhibition in Salisbury a few years ago. It was an amazing experience, but there was one part that was just absolutely heart breaking (image credit).
Zoom in if you want to read how one of the most beloved authors of our time, in a moment of clarity, describes the experience of losing himself to a rare form of Alzheimer's.
Thank you!
This was so sad. There's currently a bounty called "book that made you cry". Sure, this photo isn't a book, but it perfectly captures my emotions, making my eyes wet as I think about the struggles Terry had to overcome to keep working on his novels.
That's me and Harlan back in 1993 at ComicFest in Philadelphia.
I am a voracious reader of all subjects. And I love a lot of great authors and many lesser known ones as well. But no one, both on and off the page, has impacted my life so much as Harlan Ellison has over my lifetime. As a fearless advocate, opinionated editorialist, fantasist, imaginative speculator, and general pain in the ass to everyone and everything he stood for and against. He also happens to be one of the greatest short story writers of modern literature with well over 1,700 short stories, novellas, comic book and television scripts - including the classic Star Trek episode "City on the Edge of Forever". And the controversial short-story that Cameron based The Terminator on, which sparked a decade long legal battle and is the reason the film now includes Harlan's name in the credits.
"I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream" and "'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman" are both classics. But his works are really too numerous to mention here, so be sure to check out the Wikipedia page for more detailed information.
A truly unique individual and a incredibly gifted storyteller.
One of my favourite authors has to be Neil Gaiman. His stories have helped to develop my love for mythology, the way he incorporates different cultures, history, and gods is really inspiring and engaging. Examples of this can be found in the following books/comic books:
J R R Tolkien created worlds, beings, races, languages, 1000's of years of chronologies. Literally books of data and back stories and side stories. Yet, he still managed to make individual characters and their stories so relatable and loveable.
Without Tolkien there would be no Star Wars or any other fantasy. Tolkien is to storytelling what the Beatles are to songwriting.
Hugh Howey is a genius for dystopian science fiction.
The world he created with the underground silos in Wool, Shift and Dust is unnerving. A society built on a lie, trapped together, in a delicately balanced yet decaying system.
The first half of the first book has been adapted as a TV series on Apple TV and that show is amazing too.
So whether you read the books or see the TV show first, you won't be disappointed!
I also enjoyed another of his series with Molly Fyde. It seems targeted to a teen audience, but this space odyssey is another one that would get you thinking 'What if?'
It's very easy to get caught up in imagining what it would be like to live in each of the worlds he creates.
Brian Jacques, the author of the Redwall series. Technically, they are YA books but I started reading them when I was 8 and kept reading them well into adulthood.
If anyone isn’t familiar, it’s basically a fantasy series, but everyone is woodland creatures lol.
All species have their own skills, lore, orders/religions, etc. it’s really fun, but also genuinely compelling and serious. I attribute about 80% of my advanced vocabulary early in life to reading those books. I would see a word I didn’t know, then pop open the dictionary and memorize the definition.
Basically, a super accessible author for all ages.
probaly not a common choice . but as im not a massive reader. the last time i read properly was as a teenager and it was the novels of david gemmel. They were great fantasy books and wernt really censored , they were gritty and violent but had really good world building and character development . i liken the feeling of reading his books as the same as being engaged in a d and d campaign, you get so invested in the fantasy world as much as you do the story or character.
Raymond.E.Fiest - There is no competition here for me.
As for why, Raymond began his journey with Magician, in which the entire book, is the journey of two young boys, one who dreams of being the most powerful magician in the land and another who dreams of being the most powerful warrior in the world.
This kicked off the series which became known as the "Riftwar" series, in this series we meet many characters, as he lays the foundation for the rest of his books, we meet characters such as Jimmy The Hand, The Mockers (Thieves Guild) We are introduced to the politics of Midikemia etc.
Next came his Serpent War saga in which two boys are molested by a young nobleman who they end up killing (not a spoiler trust me) and such begins their journey, this is over a 4 book series. Just as action-packed as the previous series etc.
Then we have many more, his entire book series is around 37 books, It is an author I would recommend people read.
His works in fantasy and building these worlds are unsurpassed, I have over 500 books myself, and my favourite is still him.
I would say James Baldwin but I've already gushed a lot about him so I'll talk about a different author I also really love!
Kazuo Ishiguro.
Works you've probably heard of include Never Let me go and Remains of the Day. The way he writes sci-fi dystopia (even though it doesn't really feel like that is what you're reading - they're incredibly unbound to any particular era) is just captivating. There's a quiet desperation in the way he writes which just makes his novels even more devastating. His plots work in a way that I would think to be more realistic in these dystopian novels. Characters quietly accept their misfortunate, despite yearning to be free and understanding (sometimes!) how they are being oppressed in society. Maybe they fight, but still they fight respectfully within the systems given to them. And life just goes on... Moments of heroism are tiny and not very significant, yet they are still important!
It's incredibly bleak but his writing style is so captivating I can't stop reading. In terms of his novels that occur firmly in reality, like remains of the day, his class analysis is so astute yet doesn't read as preachy or dull. I'm glad he has such popular success, because hopefully it has made people more critical of the world around them.
Fantastic post! I love that description of Ishiguro's work. I finished Klara and the Sun a few weeks ago, and you're right - it was tender, subtle, and quietly dystopian. I especially like what you said about the tiny moments of heroism. They're not great Herculean feats, but they're enough to give you hope that the human spirit might prevail.
I liked Klara and the Sun! I heard some people complaining that the plot was all a bit too vague but I liked it for the reason! It demonstrated the lack of power Klara had </3
Haruki MurakamiA Japanese Author that is beloved in the West as he is in his home country. There is no author I have read that balances the most mundane of world's activities: running, going to the shops, cooking, listening to music etc. that makes it an enticing as he does in his prose. But when he mixes it with the surreal elements of talking cats, worlds with two moons, crows and giant super hero frogs that's when you have a book that I cannot put down.
From how he writes, you can tell he draws a lot of inspiration from his real life passions and it's addictive. By the end you want to listen to the songs he describes in the novel, eat the foods or see the sights he describes.
As much as I adore his fiction (and I really do - having collected almost his entire bibliography), I also really like how he sees the world. My latest purchase is a book about his T- Shirts (I know, but bare with me). It's an unusual premise, these are his T shirts, their designs, and the story behind them.
i.e. one T shirt may evoke a story of his marathon days, or another about how he dislikes T shirts with writing as it draws people's eyes to want to read what is written on it
And I think this captures the essence of why I love Murakami style. His perspective on the most mundane things and objects makes you see the beauty of the world as well. Makes you enjoy the little nuances and quirks, and appreciate what we have made.
Murakami's books are all such page turners. Do you have a favourite? I've read Kafka on the Shore, Men Without Women, and Norwegian Wood, but it was the first that I read The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle that really stuck with me. I've heard that What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is great too.
I started with after the quake and then I couldn't stop reading them. By far is 1Q84. Probably my favourite book just because I was really interested in both stories. The conclusion (just like Norwegian Wood and many of his other stories) doesn't have a definitive conclusion but does conclude their story arcs which is a lot more satisfying than his other works.
Thanks Makster! I'm in a bit of a fantasy novel period at the moment, but 1Q84 has now been added to 'the list' for when I'm done with mages and swordplay
Brian Jacques, the author of the Redwall series. Technically, they are YA books but I started reading them when I was 8 and kept reading them well into adulthood.
If anyone isn’t familiar, it’s basically a fantasy series, but everyone is woodland creatures lol.
All species have their own skills, lore, orders/religions, etc. it’s really fun, but also genuinely compelling and serious. I attribute about 80% of my advanced vocabulary early in life to reading those books. I would see a word I didn’t know, then pop open the dictionary and memorize the definition.
Basically, a super accessible author for all ages.
One of my favorites! Read them starting in 7th grade. I remember Martin of Redwall vividly because it was the first story I'd read with such a tragedy happening! I was also excited for every Badger appearance because you knew some epic battle was on the way!
I don't think I read the last several installments and intend to fix that asap!
Nice one - will put him on my list! Just to say though, you've made a normal reply here rather than a submission. If you'd like to enter the bounty, could you copy/paste into a submission please? Thanks!
I first read Elantris as a Twitch streamer used the name, and suggested the book. I had no idea what I was in for!
Now several years later, and many books...I don't want to spoil, but reading his various series' and seeing what he has done with them and the Cosmere have been an amazing ride!
I have a few but if i had to choose it's a duo author pseudonym used Brick & Storm, male & a female writing street lit, reason they are my fave is because i have a character named after my real name in one of their books & its the main reason behind my nickname misfits, i could read their books & relate to certain things situations etc
