20 Best Fantasy Authors You Need To Know

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Table of Contents

Discover the Best-Selling Fantasy Authors

1. George R.R. Martin

George R.R. Martin

George R.R. Martin is the internationally acclaimed bestselling author of the books that inspired the popular HBO television series, A Game of Thrones. Until its highly criticized ending, the show had won multiple Emmy, Screen Actors Guild, Directors Guild of America, and Golden Globe awards. While Martin has written children’s books, short stories, and other works of fiction, he is best known for the detailed fantasy world he created for his first book series*A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire**. 

Best Works 

A Game of Thrones

A Clash of Kings

A Storm of Swords

A Feast for Crows

A Dance With Dragons

A Song of Ice and Fire Series

2. J.R.R. Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien

One of the most epic fantasy genre writers to this day remains J.R.R. Tolkien, bestselling author of the Lord of the Rings book series. Tolkien lived between 1892 and 1973, and in his works, he created a robust high fantasy world with elves, dwarves, hobbits, and adventures. Although he was frequently criticized by other English literature professionals in his early career, Tolkien would eventually rise to fame with one of the most loved trilogies of all time.

Best Works 

The Hobbit

The Fellowship of the Ring

The Two Towers

The Return of the King

*The Lord of the Rings *Trilogy

3. Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is a well-known American author of science fiction and urban fantasy novels and is the creator of the popular Cosmere fictional universe. His fantasy books have landed him on the New York Times Bestseller list more than once. Although he avoided reading as a child, Sanderson fell in love with the fantasy genre in eighth grade after reading the book Dragonsbaneby Barbara Hambly. 

Best Works 

The Way of Kings, Book 1 of the Stormlight Archive

Skyward, Book 1 of The Skyward Series

Mistborn: The Final Empire

A Memory of Light, Book 14 of The Wheel of Time Series

4. Robin Hobb

Robin Hobb

Robin Hobb is a New York Times #1 best-selling author of the Farseer fantasy series and the critically acclaimedRealm of the Elderlings series. The Farseer trilogy has recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a new copy beautifully illustrated by Magali Villeneuve. Robin Hobb also writes science fiction short stories under the pen name Megan Lindholm. To date, the fantasy author has sold more than a million copies of her books to audiences worldwide, and in 2021, Hobb was given a World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement. 

Best Works 

Assassin’s Apprentice

Royal Assassin

Assassin’s Quest

5. Robert Jordan

Robert Jordan

Robert Jordan is the critically acclaimed author of The Wheel of Timebook series. His real name was James Oliver Rigney, Jr. (1948 - 2007), and he was a Vietnam War veteran with a degree from The Citadel and another in physics. He lent his hand to the Conan the Barbarian series and penned works under the names Jackson O’Reilly and Reagan O’Neal, writing Western and historical fiction. 

Best Works 

The Eye of the World, Book 1 of The Wheel of Time

The Great Hunt, Book 2 of The Wheel of Time*, *$10.99

The Dragon Reborn, Book 3 of The Wheel of Time

The Shadow Rising, Book 4 of The Wheel of Time*, *$10.99

6. C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis is a popular author in the young adult and fantasy genre with his unique fairytale-like stories. Although he has written dozens of books, including devotionals and adult spiritual literature, he is best known for his trilogy, The Chronicles of Narnia.Born in 1898,* Lewis served as the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University and was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University just before that, until 1954. He died in 1963.

Best Works 

The Chronicles of Narnia

Mere Christianity*, *$8.99

The Screwtape Letters*, *$7.99

7. J.K. Rowling

J.K.Rowling

J.K. Rowling is a U.K. author who penned some of the best fantasy novels in the genre for children, young teens, and even older adults. She is most well known for her debut novel Harry Potter and its unique magic system, which has inspired eight major motion pictures and a theme park. Her work has since expanded into the Wizarding World series. That said, Rowling has faced social backlash recently from the LGBTQ+ community for alleged discrimination.

Best Works 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone*, *$9.99

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter* and the Prisoner of Azkaban*

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter* and the Deathly Hallows*

8. Guy Gavriel Kay

Guy Gavriel Kay

Guy Gavriel Kay is a Canadian writer of modern fantasy and adult fantasy books. What makes Kay’s writing different than other authors in the fantasy genre is that instead of using typical tropes often seen in fantasy novels, he uses real-world settings from historical events. However, the author’s preference is that his works are not categorized as historical fiction. This new take on world-building makes Kay’s novels even more fantastical. 

Best Works 

All the Seas of the World

A Brightness Long Ago

The Summer Tree

9. Joe Abercrombie

Joe Abercrombie

Joe Abercrombie is an acclaimed British writer and freelance film editor in the fantasy fiction genre. He is most well known for his works in the First Law trilogy and several standalone books set in the same fictional world. Abercrombie has also written the Age of Madness series, which canonically meshes with the First Law books to create an epic fantasy realm ripe with adventure. 

Best Works 

The Blade Itself, Book 1 of The First Law Trilogy

A Little Hatred, Book 1 of the Age of Madness Series 

The Trouble With Peace, Book 2 of the Age of Madness Series

The Wisdom of Crowds, Book 3 of the Age of Madness Series

10. N.K. Jemisin

N.K. Jemisin

The New York Times has named author N.K. Jemisin, “the most celebrated science fiction and fantasy writer of her generation.” Jemisin, a strong Black voice in the fiction community, is also a three-time winner of the Hugo Award. She is the first author to have won three of these awards consecutively and is one of the few recipients of the coveted MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship.

Best Works 

The Fifth Season, The Broken Earth Book 1

The Obelisk Gate, The Broken Earth Book 2

The Stone Sky, The Broken Earth Book 3

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, The Inheritance Trilogy Book 1

The City We Became, The Great Cities Trilogy Book 1

11. Steven Erikson

Steven Erikson

Steven Erikson is a Canadian anthropologist, archaeologist, writer, and novelist best known for his ten-volume Malazan Book of the Fallenseries. He is a New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author recognized by both Paste Magazine and Fantasy Book Review for best-in-class fantasy fiction. Erikson is also a past nominee for the World Fantasy Award and Locus Award for his literary works.

Best Works 

Gardens of the Moon, Book One of the Malazan Book of the Fallen Series

Deadhouse Gates, Book Two of the Malazan* Book of the Fallen Series*

Memories of Ice, Book Three of the Malazan Book of the Fallen Series

House of Chains, Book Four of the Malazan Book of the Fallen Series

12. Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula K. Le Guin is the late author of 23 full-length books, 13 children’s books, 12 collections of short stories, 11 collections of poetry, five collections of written essays, and four translated works. Although Le Guin passed away in 2018, she is the seven-time winner of the coveted Hugo Award, the six-time winner of the Nebula Award, and was named Grand Master by the SWFA. 

Best Works 

A Wizard of Earthsea,* The Earthsea Cycles Series Book 1*

The Toms of Atuan, The Earthsea Cycles Series Book 2

The Farthest Shore, The Earthsea Cycles Series Book 3

Lavinia

The Left Hand of Darkness 50th Anniversary Edition, Ace Science Fiction

13. Scott Lynch

Scott Lynch

Scott Lynch is the global bestselling author of the Gentleman Bastardbook series. He is the oldest of three children, born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1978. His first book,The Lies of Locke Lamora*, was immediately popular, and Lynch has enjoyed critical acclaim since. His wife, Elizabeth Bear, is also a science fiction and fantasy writer, whom he married in 2016. The couple share an old Minnesota home with their cats, preferring to spend time on their property when not writing.

Best Works 

The Lies of Locke Lamora

Red Seas Under Red Skies

The Republic of Thieves*, *$8.99

The Gentleman Bastard Series

14. Stephen King

Stephen King

Stephen King is arguably one of the most well-known fantasy writers in history, particularly in the sci-fi and horror genres. He has sold over 350 million copies of his books, several of them having been made into full-length motion pictures, including Pet Sematary, It, The Shining, and more. King also publishes his work under the pen name Richard Bachman and, to date, has a complete collection of more than 63 books, 20 novellas, and approximately 120 short stories.

Best Works 

The Stand

Billy Summers

Later

The Shining

15. Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is a beloved English author of several fantasy novels, including The Sandmancomic book series and *Coraline,*the latter of which was later adapted to the big screen. His first book was a Duran Duran biography written in 1986, and more recently, his book The Ocean at the End of the Lane won the British National Book Awards Book of the Year. His work, The Graveyard Book, won a Newbury Medal in 2009 and is scheduled to be made into a motion picture directed by Ron Howard. 

Best Works 

American Gods 10th Anniversary Edition

Norse Mythology

Neverwhere: A Novel

The Ocean at the End of the Lane: A Novel

The Graveyard Book

16. Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss is an American fantasy author best known for his lyrical prose and masterful storytelling in The Name of the Wind and its sequel The Wise Man’s Fear, the first two books in The Kingkiller Chronicle series. Rothfuss is celebrated for his beautiful, poetic writing style and his ability to weave intricate narratives that blend magic, music, and mythology. His work has earned him numerous awards and a devoted fanbase eagerly awaiting the third book in the series.

Best Works

The Name of the Wind

The Wise Man’s Fear

The Slow Regard of Silent Things

17. Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author known for her immersive fantasy worlds and complex characters. She created the Grishaverse, beginning with the Shadow and Bone trilogy and expanding with the Six of Crows duology and other related works. Her books have been adapted into a popular Netflix series, and she’s recognized for writing compelling young adult fantasy with intricate magic systems, political intrigue, and diverse representation.

Best Works

Shadow and Bone

Six of Crows

Crooked Kingdom

King of Scars

18. Clive Barker

Clive Barker

Clive Barker is a British author, filmmaker, and visual artist who has become one of the most influential voices in dark fantasy and horror. Known for his vivid imagination and unflinching exploration of both beauty and terror, Barker created the Books of Blood series and the Hellraiser franchise. His fantasy works, including The Books of Abarat and Imajica, showcase his ability to create richly detailed otherworldly realms filled with complex mythology and unforgettable characters.

Best Works

The Books of Blood

Imajica

The Thief of Always

Abarat

19. Chloe Gong

Chloe Gong

Chloe Gong is a New York Times bestselling author known for her innovative approach to fantasy, often blending historical settings with supernatural elements. Born in Shanghai and raised in New Zealand, Gong brings a unique multicultural perspective to her work. She’s best known for her These Violent Delights duology, a reimagining of Romeo and Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai with fantasy elements, and her Foul Lady Fortune series, which combines espionage with dark fantasy.

Best Works

These Violent Delights

Our Violent Ends

Foul Lady Fortune

20. R.F. Kuang

R.F. Kuang

R.F. Kuang is an American fantasy author known for her powerful and unflinching exploration of war, colonialism, and power in her dark fantasy works. Her debut novel The Poppy War and its sequels have earned critical acclaim for their sophisticated handling of difficult themes while maintaining compelling fantasy elements. Kuang, who studied at Georgetown, Oxford, and Cambridge, brings academic rigor to her world-building and character development, creating fantasy that doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of conflict.

Best Works

The Poppy War

The Dragon Republic

The Burning God

Babel

Final Word

If you love to read, grab one of these fantasy books by some of the best-known and most beloved authors in the genre. No matter which novel or short story you choose, good fantasy authors will know how to pull you into their unique stories and magical worlds.

FAQs on the Best Fantasy Authors and Their Books

What’s The Difference Between YA Fantasy And Adult Fantasy Books?

YA fantasy books typically have at least one protagonist who is a teen or young adult, while adult fantasy books feature characters older than 21-25 years of age.

What should I look for in a good fantasy author?

The best fantasy authors aren’t necessarily the writers who have the most published novels. Instead, look for authors that use overarching themes that interest you, such as a robust fantasy world or elements of science fiction. Read book reviews to find out what other readers have to say; just watch out for spoilers. 

How do I pick a fantasy book to read?

First and foremost, don’t judge a book by its cover. You should also overlook the heavily curated recommendations on the book’s front, back, and inside covers. Instead, read the first few pages to make sure you like the fantasy author’s writing style and that they do a good job of drawing you into the content. 

Who are the best-selling fantasy authors?

The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling is the best-selling fantasy series of all time, selling over 500 million copies so far. The Lord of the Ringsby J. R. R. Tolkien is next on the list, with that series amassing over 150 million sales.

Which authors have won the Hugo Award for best science fiction or fantasy novel?

There have been 52 winners of the Hugo Award for Best Novel. Five authors have won it three times: Isaac Asimov and Fritz Leiber, N. K. Jemisin, Connie Willis, and Vernor Vinge. Hugo Awards were first given in 1953, at the 11th World Science Fiction Convention.

Related Reading: Explore More Fantasy & Adventure

If you loved discovering the best fantasy authors, dive deeper into these related topics:

Fantasy Subgenres & Similar Authors:

• Authors Like J.R.R. Tolkien) - Epic fantasy and world-building masters
• Authors Like George R.R. Martin) - Complex political fantasy with moral ambiguity
• Authors Like Patrick Rothfuss) - Lyrical prose and magical storytelling
• Authors Like Brandon Sanderson) - Innovative magic systems and epic scope

Genre Exploration:

• Best Science Fiction Authors) - Where fantasy meets futuristic technology
• Best Horror Authors) - Dark fantasy and supernatural terror
• Best Historical Fiction Authors) - Historical fantasy and period adventure

Character & World Building:

• Authors Like Ursula K. Le Guin) - Philosophical fantasy and social commentary
• Best Young Adult Authors) - Coming-of-age fantasy adventures
• Best Children’s Book Authors) - Fantasy for younger readers

Regional Fantasy Traditions:

• Best British Authors) - UK fantasy tradition from Lewis Carroll to Neil Gaiman
• Best American Authors) - American fantasy voices and perspectives

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Fantasy literature offers infinite worlds to explore, from epic quests in secondary worlds to magic hidden in modern cities. These authors represent the best the genre has to offer, each bringing unique voices and perspectives to the art of fantastical storytelling.