Who is writing the best sci-fi these days?

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Who is writing the best sci-fi these days?

by technomist @ 2008-09-13 – 01:29:06

I know a lot of sci-fi is turned into those new fangled moving images but I found an interesting list of sci fi books, many from way, way back in the day, which are described by the compiler as 'libertarian'. Some authors are obvious for including on any such list.

Some of the modern ones listed surprised me though . I am not sure they can really be seen as being sci-fi at all, i.e. Harry Potter?

http://www.nolanchart.com/article4700.html

It set me thinking though, who is writing the best sci-fi these days?
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11 Comments to Who is writing the best sci-fi these days?

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- Znethru ^Pro
- http://www.febland.net/
- 2008-09-13 @ 01:38:56
Not sure about that, but I am writing a genre called Science Fantasy (according to one of my expert friends on the subject!)

Check this out if you have two mins (piano music recorded today!)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DHlVtQuAhg4
- - technomist
  - 2008-09-13 @ 10:13:57
  Thanks for that, its a nice piece.
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- rubychoo
- 2008-09-13 @ 02:09:51
Whoever wrote 'The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress' get's my vote...

(also with the piano music)
- - Shipscook
  - 2008-10-03 @ 13:08:18
  Wasn't thatRobert Heinlein?
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- playwrite27
- http://www.davidtennant.blog.co.uk
- 2008-09-13 @ 03:17:57
Alas, we have no proper bookshops where I live...where, there's a little mom and pop (mum and dad) book shop, that caters to the upper-crust...which translates into high price/limited selections, and a children's book shop, as well. But a good selection of fiction? In Glens flippin' Falls? Fergetaboutit!

I don't have an active library card (still working on paying off mum's fines...long story), so I get my sci-fi fix through used book sales.

I can say here, that Orson Scott Card seems rather popular, as are Douglas Adams, Piers Anthony, Poul Anderson, Phillip Dick, Anne McCaffrey (or is she fantasy?), Hal Clement, Cordwainer Smith, Anne Rice, Harlan Ellison, Michael Moorcock, Heinlein, and Alfred Bester, are all authors I see frequently at used book sales.
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- GilraenH ^Pro
- http://www.gilraen.blog.co.uk
- 2008-09-13 @ 08:21:24
Alistair Reynolds by far and Iain M Banks (although not sure of Banks has produced any new sci-fi for a number of years). Hubster also has been reading some K J Parker recently and said it was excellent.
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- SeasideMan ^Pro
- 2008-09-13 @ 10:25:57
If it involves magic, it's fantasy rather than sci-fi. The Potter books caused quite a large resurgence in the fantasy market, and true sci-fi is less popular. It's still there though, as you'll see if you scan the sci-fi section at any large book-shop. I agree with GilraenH's suggestion of Iain M Banks.

Tom.
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- EllieGant
- 2008-09-13 @ 11:19:22
I particularly enjoyed Jack McDevitt's novels, which I first discovered in the US.
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- Archaic-Insanity
- http://myspace.com/musicandthemind
- 2008-09-13 @ 20:03:21
L. Ron Hubbard, he wrote the best sci-fi and people are buying it as an actual religion!
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- rithompson
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/rithompson/
- 2008-09-17 @ 19:19:54
Philip K Dick was probably among the best Sci-Fi writers. Now, I would say Ray Bradbury, Marge Piercy, Alistair Reynolds (even though I can't keep up!) and William Gibson.
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- Shipscook
- 2008-10-03 @ 13:21:09
I'd say

Michael Moorcock, Iain M Banks, Neil Gaiman, JG Ballard, Alan Moore and my mate Eugene Byrne check out Things Unborn if you can find a copy its a work of great imagination and very well written to boot.

If we are including dead authors I'd recommend Fritz Lieber and Leigh Bracket
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