Featured list
Top Speculative Fiction Authors
An editorial collection of author videos, selected from catalog and reader signals to make strong work easier to discover and cite.
How selections are made
Catalog foundation
Each feature begins with public book records, cover data, and reader-facing catalog signals.
Reader momentum
We look for authors whose work already has visible paths through ratings, lists, shelves, or editions.
A clear first book
Every card favors a real cover and a selected work so readers have a natural place to begin.
Lena Nguyen
Lena Nguyen's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by We Have Always Been Here.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.46
- Reader ratings
- 27
- Catalogued works
- 2
- Editions
- 4
Renee Carter Hall
Renee Carter Hall's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Spark: A Creative Anthology, Volume VI.
- Reader ratings
- 2
- Catalogued works
- 3
- Editions
- 1
Rene Astle
Rene Astle's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Dead Ship in the Deep Black.
- Reader ratings
- 2
- Catalogued works
- 3
Rebecca Enzor
Rebecca Enzor's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Speak The Ocean.
- Catalogued works
- 1
- Editions
- 1
Nikki McCormack
Nikki McCormack's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Dark Hope of the Dragons.
- Reader ratings
- 1
- Catalogued works
- 4
- Editions
- 4
Peter Cawdron
Peter Cawdron's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Anomaly.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.79
- Reader ratings
- 154
- Catalogued works
- 25
- Editions
- 22
Matthew Isaac Sobin
Matthew Isaac Sobin's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by The Last Machine in the Solar System.
- Reader ratings
- 4
- Catalogued works
- 1
- Editions
- 1
Jeremy Thomas Fuller
Jeremy Thomas Fuller's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Gods in the Machine.
- Reader ratings
- 3
- Catalogued works
- 3
- Editions
- 1
Gwendolyn N. Nix
Gwendolyn N Nix's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Where the Veil is Thin.
- Reader ratings
- 2
- Catalogued works
- 3
- Editions
- 2
James Hider
James hider's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by The spiders of Allah.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.67
- Reader ratings
- 6
- Catalogued works
- 3
- Editions
- 7
Essa Hansen
Essa Hansen's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Nophek Gloss.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.60
- Reader ratings
- 49
- Catalogued works
- 7
- Editions
- 9
Julie Nováková
Julie Novu00e1kovu00e1's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Umbra.
- Reader ratings
- 2
- Catalogued works
- 5
David Biddle
David Biddle's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Beyond the will of God.
- Reader ratings
- 1
- Catalogued works
- 1
Chance Christopher
Christopher Chance's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Lone Brit on 13.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.00
- Reader ratings
- 6
- Catalogued works
- 7
Blake Allwood
Blake Allwood's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Melody of the Heart.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.80
- Reader ratings
- 5
- Catalogued works
- 4
- Editions
- 4
Angel Martinez
Angel Martinez's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Vassily the Beautiful.
- Reader ratings
- 4
- Catalogued works
- 6
- Editions
- 4
Y.M. Pang
Y.M. Pang's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Awakenings.
- Reader ratings
- 4
- Catalogued works
- 6
Alan K. Dell
Alan K. Dell's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by The Flight of the Aurora.
- Reader ratings
- 1
- Catalogued works
- 4
- Editions
- 1
A. L. Kaplan
A. L. Kaplan's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Star touched.
- Catalogued works
- 1
- Editions
- 2
Wendy Sparrow
Wendy Sparrow's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Keeping Time.
- Average rating
- ★ 4.14
- Reader ratings
- 7
- Catalogued works
- 12
- Editions
- 8
Tristan Palmgren
Tristan Palmgren's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Terminus.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.50
- Reader ratings
- 8
- Catalogued works
- 5
- Editions
- 2
Tom Doyle
Tom Doyle's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Running up That Hill.
- Reader ratings
- 1
- Catalogued works
- 3
- Editions
- 7
Stuart Atkinson
Stuart Atkinson's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Astronomy.
- Catalogued works
- 5
- Editions
- 5
Steve Umstead
Steve Umstead's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Gabriel.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.38
- Reader ratings
- 13
- Catalogued works
- 6
- Editions
- 4
Keith Cooper
Keith Cooper's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by The Contact Paradox Lib/E.
- Reader ratings
- 1
- Catalogued works
- 2
Siobhan Carroll
Siobhan Carroll's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Children of Lovecraft.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.84
- Reader ratings
- 46
- Catalogued works
- 7
- Editions
- 3
Kate Mason
Kate Mason's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by All New Friendship Bracelets.
- Catalogued works
- 2
- Editions
- 1
Tevfik Uyar
Tevfik Uyar's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Astrolojinin Bilimle Imtihani.
- Reader ratings
- 1
- Catalogued works
- 2
- Editions
- 2
Robert Reed
Robert Reed's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Aliens.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.81
- Reader ratings
- 112
- Catalogued works
- 23
- Editions
- 4
Jule Owen
Jule Owen's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Silverwood.
- Reader ratings
- 1
- Catalogued works
- 5
- Editions
- 3
Judith Williams
Judith Williams's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Crime scientist.
- Reader ratings
- 1
- Catalogued works
- 4
- Editions
- 1
Jenny Schwartz
Jenny Schwartz's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by It's Love, Dude.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.72
- Reader ratings
- 58
- Catalogued works
- 24
Jon F. Zeigler
Jon F. Zeigler's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by GURPS Space Fourth Edition (GURPS: Generic Universal Role Playing System).
- Reader ratings
- 1
- Catalogued works
- 6
- Editions
- 2
John Coon
John Coon's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Alien People.
- Catalogued works
- 1
- Editions
- 2
Joan Marie Verba
Joan Marie Verba's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Animal Parents and Babies Coloring Book.
- Reader ratings
- 1
- Catalogued works
- 6
- Editions
- 2
Elliott Kay
Elliott Kay's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Personal Demons - Good Intentions 3.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.94
- Reader ratings
- 232
- Catalogued works
- 19
- Editions
- 9
Douglas A. Van Belle
Douglas A. Van Belle's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Barking Death Squirrels.
- Reader ratings
- 1
- Catalogued works
- 4
- Editions
- 1
Eamon Ambrose
Eamon Ambrose's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Tales from the Canyons of the Damned No. 20.
- Catalogued works
- 5
- Editions
- 6
Donna Scott
Donna Scott's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by The Bitten Word.
- Average rating
- ★ 4.00
- Reader ratings
- 6
- Catalogued works
- 7
- Editions
- 4
Dave Schroeder
Dave Schroeder's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Xenotech What Happens.
- Average rating
- ★ 4.33
- Reader ratings
- 6
- Catalogued works
- 16
- Editions
- 2
David Agranoff
David Agranoff's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by The Vault of Punk Horror.
- Reader ratings
- 1
- Catalogued works
- 6
- Editions
- 6
Derek Cressman
Derek Cressman's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by When Money Talks.
- Catalogued works
- 4
- Editions
- 1
Adeena Mignogna
Adeena Mignogna's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Minding my business.
- Reader ratings
- 3
- Catalogued works
- 7
- Editions
- 10
Juliet E McKenna
Juliet E McKenna's fantasy gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by The Thief's Gamble.
- Reader ratings
- 3
- Catalogued works
- 2
James Wells
James Wells's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Plant Propagation Practices.
- Catalogued works
- 3
- Editions
- 1
Jak Koke
Jak Koke's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Terminus Experiment.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.33
- Reader ratings
- 9
- Catalogued works
- 10
- Editions
- 9
Gideon Marcus
Gideon Marcus's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Rediscovery.
- Reader ratings
- 1
- Catalogued works
- 2
- Editions
- 2
Gilles Poitras
Gilles Poitras's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by The anime companion.
- Reader ratings
- 2
- Catalogued works
- 3
- Editions
- 1
Jack Fennell
Jack Fennell's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Sci-Fi.
- Catalogued works
- 2
- Editions
- 1
Finbarr O'Reilly
Finbarr O'Reilly's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Clarkesworld Issue 145.
- Reader ratings
- 1
- Catalogued works
- 2
Eric Klein
Eric Klein's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by To do or not to do.
- Catalogued works
- 2
- Editions
- 1
Daniel Suarez
Daniel Suarez's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Twelve Tomorrows: Visionary stories of the near future inspired by today's technologies (all new 2016 edition).
- Average rating
- ★ 4.11
- Reader ratings
- 1,631
- Catalogued works
- 18
- Editions
- 33
Coy Hall
Coy Hall's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by The Fiends in the Furrows: An Anthology of Folk Horror.
- Reader ratings
- 3
- Catalogued works
- 11
- Editions
- 1
Cody Sisco
Cody Sisco's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Tortured Echoes.
- Catalogued works
- 3
- Editions
- 5
David D. Levine
David D. Levine's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by The Year's Top Ten Tales of Science Fiction 8 (Volume 8).
- Reader ratings
- 1
- Catalogued works
- 1
Bruce R. Cordell
Bruce R. Cordell's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Player's Handbook.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.00
- Reader ratings
- 9
- Catalogued works
- 13
- Editions
- 2
Brian Fitzpatrick
Brian Fitzpatrick's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by The Australian Commonwealth.
- Average rating
- ★ 4.14
- Reader ratings
- 7
- Catalogued works
- 1
Bob Smietana
Bob Smietana's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Sin, Salvation and Shadowmancer.
- Catalogued works
- 1
- Editions
- 3
Benjamin Harper
Benjamin Harper's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Star Warsu2122.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.80
- Reader ratings
- 5
- Catalogued works
- 15
- Editions
- 1
Auston Habershaw
Auston Habershaw's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by When Worlds Collide.
- Average rating
- ★ 4.00
- Reader ratings
- 11
- Catalogued works
- 16
- Editions
- 3
Barbara Krasnoff
Barbara Krasnoff's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Clockwork Phoenix 5.
- Reader ratings
- 4
- Catalogued works
- 9
- Editions
- 3
Anthony W. Eichenlaub
Anthony W. Eichenlaub's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Grandfather Anonymous.
- Reader ratings
- 2
- Catalogued works
- 4
- Editions
- 4
Aurora Springer
Aurora Springer's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Rishalt.
- Reader ratings
- 2
- Catalogued works
- 6
- Editions
- 3
Bill Adams
Bill Adams's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Michael Adams.
- Catalogued works
- 2
- Editions
- 10
Arlen Feldman
Arlen Feldman's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Phantaxis August 2017: Science Fiction & Fantasy Magazine.
- Reader ratings
- 1
- Catalogued works
- 1
Lyssa Chiavari
Lyssa Chiavari's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Fourth world.
- Reader ratings
- 3
- Catalogued works
- 6
- Editions
- 4
Adam Roberts
Adam Roberts's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Clarkesworld Issue 127.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.53
- Reader ratings
- 154
- Catalogued works
- 24
- Editions
- 21
Andrew Fraknoi
Andrew Fraknoi's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Astronomy.
- Catalogued works
- 1
- Editions
- 8
Linda Nagata
Linda Nagata brings a distinct science fiction presence to a catalog anchored here by La vida secreta de los bots y otros relatos.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.71
- Reader ratings
- 248
- Catalogued works
- 25
- Editions
- 19
Marina Lostetter
Marina Lostetter brings a distinct science fiction presence to a catalog anchored here by Die Reise.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.76
- Reader ratings
- 160
- Catalogued works
- 24
- Editions
- 3
Madeleine Roux
Madeleine Roux brings a distinct science fiction presence to a catalog anchored here by Don't Turn Out the Lights.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.45
- Reader ratings
- 309
- Catalogued works
- 25
- Editions
- 20
Marie Vibbert
Marie Vibbert brings a distinct science fiction presence to a catalog anchored here by Terra! Tara! Terror! (Third Flatiron Anthologies Book 24).
- Average rating
- ★ 3.77
- Reader ratings
- 11
- Catalogued works
- 14
- Editions
- 3
KJ Charles
KJ Charles brings a distinct fantasy presence to a catalog anchored here by A Case of Possession (A Charm of Magpies Book 2).
- Average rating
- ★ 3.69
- Reader ratings
- 47
- Catalogued works
- 36
- Editions
- 16
Ken MacLeod
Ken MacLeod brings a distinct science fiction presence to a catalog anchored here by By Blood We Live.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.64
- Reader ratings
- 342
- Catalogued works
- 25
- Editions
- 33
Jennifer R. Povey
Jennifer R. Povey brings a distinct science fiction presence to a catalog anchored here by Monstrosities (Third Flatiron Anthologies Book 22).
- Average rating
- ★ 3.43
- Reader ratings
- 7
- Catalogued works
- 11
- Editions
- 2
Jason Sanford
Jason Sanford brings a distinct science fiction presence to a catalog anchored here by Year's Best SF 14.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.68
- Reader ratings
- 19
- Catalogued works
- 14
- Editions
- 5
Heather Rose Jones
Heather Rose Jones's fantasy gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Mystic Marriage.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.60
- Reader ratings
- 5
- Catalogued works
- 9
- Editions
- 1
Gerald L. Coleman
Gerald L. Coleman's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Nappy Metaphysic.
- Reader ratings
- 2
- Catalogued works
- 4
Gene Luen Yang
Gene Luen Yang's comics gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by American Born Chinese.
- Average rating
- ★ 4.17
- Reader ratings
- 48
- Catalogued works
- 13
- Editions
- 2
Eve L. Ewing
Eve L. Ewing's comics gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Crusade for justice.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.73
- Reader ratings
- 83
- Catalogued works
- 25
- Editions
- 21
Elizabeth Bear
Elizabeth Bear's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Year's Best Fantasy.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.69
- Reader ratings
- 474
- Catalogued works
- 24
- Editions
- 7
Dirk Strasser
Dirk Strasser's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Lost in Space (Thrillogy; 3 Science Fiction Stories).
- Catalogued works
- 3
- Editions
- 2
Deborah L. Davitt
Deborah L. Davitt's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Galaxy's Edge Magazine, Issue 33, July 2018.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.67
- Reader ratings
- 6
- Catalogued works
- 9
David Nickle
David Nickle's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Monstrous Affections.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.32
- Reader ratings
- 22
- Catalogued works
- 13
- Editions
- 14
David Louis Edelman
David Louis Edelman's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Geosynchron.
- Average rating
- ★ 4.17
- Reader ratings
- 24
- Catalogued works
- 7
- Editions
- 5
Daniel José Older
Daniel Josu00e9 Older's comics gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Sunvault.
- Average rating
- ★ 4.64
- Reader ratings
- 14
- Catalogued works
- 19
- Editions
- 5
Catherine Asaro
Catherine Asaro's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Nebula awards showcase 2013.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.83
- Reader ratings
- 186
- Catalogued works
- 25
- Editions
- 30
Clay McLeod Chapman
Clay McLeod Chapman's comics gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Empyre Omnibus.
- Average rating
- ★ 2.96
- Reader ratings
- 13
- Catalogued works
- 18
- Editions
- 2
Christopher L. Bennett
Christopher L. Bennett's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Arachne's Crime.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.55
- Reader ratings
- 10
- Catalogued works
- 5
- Editions
- 3
Brian Pinkerton
Brian Pinkerton's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Time Warp.
- Reader ratings
- 2
- Catalogued works
- 10
- Editions
- 14
Ada Palmer
Ada Palmer's fantasy gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Seven Surrenders.
- Average rating
- ★ 4.08
- Reader ratings
- 436
- Catalogued works
- 12
- Editions
- 44
Arkady Martine
Arkady Martine's speculative fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by The Mythic Dream.
- Average rating
- ★ 4.14
- Reader ratings
- 1,371
- Catalogued works
- 15
- Editions
- 22
Aliette de Bodard
Aliette de Bodard's speculative fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Echoes: The Saga Anthology of Ghost Stories.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.57
- Reader ratings
- 361
- Catalogued works
- 25
- Editions
- 20
Ken Liu
Ken Liu's fantasy gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by First Contact: Digital Science Fiction Anthology (Digital Science Fiction Short Stories Series One) (Volume 1).
- Average rating
- ★ 4.07
- Reader ratings
- 6,059
- Catalogued works
- 25
- Editions
- 1
Karl Schroeder
Karl Schroeder's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Loosed Upon the World.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.75
- Reader ratings
- 208
- Catalogued works
- 25
- Editions
- 17
Catherynne M. Valente
Catherynne M. Valente's science fiction gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Year's Best Fantasy.
- Average rating
- ★ 3.73
- Reader ratings
- 1,123
- Catalogued works
- 25
- Editions
- 42
Alex Segura
Alex Segura's horror gives readers a vivid first path into imagined worlds, led by Protectors 2: Heroes (Protectors Anthologies) (Volume 2).
- Average rating
- ★ 3.69
- Reader ratings
- 13
- Catalogued works
- 19
- Editions
- 1
Sourced from
Public catalog and reader records
For the record
How to cite this list
A living reference built from the featured author pages in this collection.
Significant Figures Editors. “Top Speculative Fiction Authors.” Significant Figures, Featured authors, June 2026.
https://sigfigsstudio.com/featured/authors/speculative-fiction/