Greatest Fantasy Authors of All Time

J. R. R. Tolkien

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (3 January 1892 - 2 September 1973), known by his pen name J. R. R. Tolkien, was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor.

He is best known as the author of the classic high-fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion. Tolkien's... read more

He's my number one, along with his son, Christopher Tolkien, who compiled and republished his works.
It seems like it took a lifetime to tell the stories and another one to assemble it all. The stories that poured out of J.R.R. illuminated a rich new world with a deep and rich history spanning thousands of years with hundreds of characters.
The sheer volume, historical depth, and quality storytelling of beautiful tragedies and great adventures are unmatched, in my opinion.

The father of the modern fantasy genre, Professor Tolkien's world of Middle-Earth is the best fictional world ever created and will never be surpassed. He gave us not one but several new languages (all with proper rules and history), a multitude of memorable characters, and the greatest, most epic tales ever told. J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter is nothing compared to this magnificent masterpiece of literature.

J. K. Rowling

Joanne Rowling, CH, OBE, FRSL, FRCPE, who writes under the pen names J.K. Rowling and Robert Galbraith, is a British novelist, philanthropist, film and television producer, and screenwriter best known for creating the Harry Potter fantasy series. The series has sold over 500 million copies worldwide... read more

An author who excels in backstory, hidden details, character connection, and so much more. The Harry Potter series truly is like nothing else.
It maintains a unique, strong feel throughout all the books, especially the later ones, showcasing a level of writing few authors possess. The Half-Blood Prince is arguably the best book. It delves deep into the complex stories of characters like Tom Riddle, Severus Snape, Dumbledore, and others, providing information and development few could dream of.
Books like The Half-Blood Prince and The Deathly Hallows are ones I can't imagine not existing. The Harry Potter series isn't just an adventure. It's a thrilling, romantic, mysterious, comedic, and action-packed journey. This author has it all.

C. S. Lewis

Clive Staples Lewis (November 29, 1898 - November 22, 1963) was a British novelist, poet, academic, medievalist, literary critic, essayist, lay theologian, broadcaster, lecturer, and Christian apologist.

He held academic positions at Oxford University, where he was a fellow and tutor in English... read more

I don't know what we would be without The Chronicles of Narnia. Seriously. We wouldn't be looking for worlds behind the wardrobe. We wouldn't be entranced by paintings of the sea. We would never have tried on the magic rings. We never would have met Aslan.

Narnia is a place no common mind can think of! It is clear that Sir Lewis wasn't a common man. He was extraordinary because extraordinary things happen to extraordinary people.

One of the 20th century founders along with Tolkien. Don't just try Narnia, though. There are others like Perelandra and The Screwtape Letters.

George R. R. Martin

George Raymond Richard Martin, born George Raymond Martin, is an American author best known for his epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire. The series was adapted into the HBO television show Game of Thrones, which gained worldwide acclaim. Martin has also worked in television and is a producer and... read more

I love historical fantasy (fantastorical fiction), and G. R. R. Martin is my greatest inspiration.

The genius who came up with Game of Thrones. No one can beat this man.

Brandon Sanderson

One of the hardest-working authors out there today. He is a master at creating worlds, but his true strength is developing characters with depth that readers can't help but be invested in. If you are looking up any list of great authors, his name should be on it regardless of genre.
The length of his stories may be intimidating to some, but the ease with which you will flow through his work will amaze you. If you haven't read any of his work yet, stop reading this and go start. Mistborn is a great place to begin!

Author of the highest-rated novel on Goodreads, Sanderson is one of the best up-and-coming writers today. He is already prolific in his work, and he doesn't leave his fans in the dark for years waiting for new series installments, as is common in the fantasy genre. Most of his books are long, but once you start reading, you'll never want them to end.

Rick Riordan

Richard Russell Riordan Jr. (born June 5, 1964) is an American author best known for the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. His books have been translated into 42 languages and have sold more than 30 million copies in the United States.... read more

He is my favorite author. I wish I was him. I was so close to meeting him, but then he had to move! He is still my favorite author.
Post by M.B. Despain

He should be #1 on this list. I love ALL of the Percy Jackson books, and I am about to finish The Lost Hero. The show is also really good. Did you know that he is helping to make it? Well, anyway, I think that he should be a lot higher on this list. Don't you, fellow demigods? Annabeth is my favorite character, and I am a LOT like her. I have even been called Wise Girl.

I love the books and the movies. He also should be higher.

Ursula K. Le Guin

A Wizard of Earthsea is influential and still astounding. I wish there was more courage to familiarize with it. This author did good with it. It can often be found on top fantasy author lists from searches. It's a nice surprise in that segment of writing.

If you haven't read Left Hand of Darkness, consider yourself undereducated.

From my childhood and youth, her words were like food and hope. Thank you.

Lloyd Alexander

Lloyd Chudley Alexander (1924-2007) was an American author best known for writing fantasy novels for children and young adults. His most famous work is The Chronicles of Prydain, a fantasy series that inspired Disney's 1985 animated film The Black Cauldron... read more

David Eddings

Best fantasy writer ever in my humble opinion! The Belgariad series was life-changing for me! I started reading them when I was 15, and I am 50 now and still read them.

Terry Pratchett

Sir Terence David John "Terry" Pratchett (1948 to 2015) was an English author of fantasy novels, especially known for his comic Discworld series. He published over 70 novels, selling more than 100 million copies worldwide. Pratchett was knighted in 2009 for services to literature.

So much wisdom hidden in his humor. If you don't like being told off, just enjoy the ride.

There is much to learn from the Turtle, and Discworld unwinds nearly the whole advantage. Well thought out!

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Charles Dickens

Charles John Huffam Dickens (7 February 1812 - 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many scholars and readers as one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian era.... read more

Whilst he wasn't renowned for fantasy, it could be argued that the one time he did dabble in fantasy, it was with the most famous story he ever wrote: A Christmas Carol.

Wrote A Christmas Carol, which is a classic.

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Tui T. Sutherland

Tui T. Sutherland is a flipping genius! She wrote the best series of all time, Wings of Fire. She is the best writer in the entire universe, and whoever doesn't think that is brain-dead and has zero brain cells. First place is where she should be, not J. R. R. Tolkien. Respect to J. K. Rowling though.
Wings of Fire lovers, rise up and vote for Tui T. Sutherland!
Moondance the animus hybrid

Wings of Fire is really good. It should be in the top 15 at least.

George MacDonald

Astrid Lindgren

Yes!
WHY NOT #1?
I LOVE EVERYTHING SHE DID FOR WRITING.

Robert Jordan

James Oliver Rigney Jr., born in 1948 and better known by his pen name Robert Jordan, was an American author renowned for writing the epic fantasy series The Wheel of Time. He also wrote stories about Conan the Barbarian and used various pseudonyms for other works. Jordan passed away in 2007 due to cardiac... read more

Jordan at #16...really!? Jordan has made such an impact on the genre and has left such a legacy behind that he should be placed higher. Jordan is #1 in my opinion but should at least be in the top 5! He is easily better than Lewis, Rowling, Pratchett, Hobb, Anthony, Salvatore (though I love the Dark Elf series), Feist, Riordan, and Moorcock!

The Wheel of Time may be my favorite epic fantasy. Either that or Stormlight. Regardless, he helped inspire the author of Stormlight. I do wish he could have finished the series and all the books he had planned for after the main story in Randland.

Robert E. Howard

Conan the Barbarian is a staple of modern television. The collection of stories has charm, which is possibly why it is in second rank. I am uncertain of the other novels, but Conan is recognizable right away. Good work from that.

Most visceral, gripping fiction ever! Especially for boys and men - no chick lit here!

Neil Gaiman

Neil Richard MacKinnon Gaiman is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre, and films. He is known for works such as American Gods, Coraline, The Sandman series, and Good Omens, co-written with Terry Pratchett. Gaiman has won numerous awards for his contributions... read more

He should be in the top ten. He's a legend.

Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl (September 13, 1916 - November 23, 1990) was a British novelist, short story writer, poet, screenwriter, and fighter pilot. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide and are translated into many languages. He is best known for children's classics such as Charlie and the Chocolate... read more

Just look at what he's written. Seriously.

Patrick Rothfuss

Wish it didn't take a decade to write a book, but I have no doubt it's going to be 10/10 whenever it comes out.

Rothfuss and Robin Hobb. Really good reads. Hope they continue the books.

Stephen King

Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, science fiction, and fantasy. Many of his best-known novels include Carrie, It, The Shining, The Stand, Misery, The Dark Tower series, and Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, which was adapted into the... read more

L. Frank Baum

Haven't read much of him, but from what I've read I REALLY like. Be sure to search out and read his animal tales.

Raymond Feist

One of my favorite authors of all time, and I am, as they say, late to the party. His ability to capture the imagination while maintaining a dark undertone is incredible. Not to mention his ability to keep continuity in his book series that span several time skips is impressive, to say the least.

Such a complex and interwoven set of stories that slowly bring an entire universe to life. Magical writing in every sense.

He is by far the best fantasy author of all time.
Magician is just awesome.

Jules Verne

Jules Gabriel Verne was a French novelist, poet, and playwright who is best known for his adventure novels and his significant impact on the science fiction genre. His most famous works include Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Around the World in Eighty Days... read more

I have read the novel The Golden Volcano by Jules Verne, which is neat but kind of drastic at the end when their prize goes to the ocean. Another classic is White Fang by Jack London. These books encompass many key points in the nature of imagination and hold relevance despite the passage of time. A good read, definitely.

"Journey to the Center of the Earth," "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea," "Around the World in Eighty Days." Need I say more?

Robin Hobb

Should be in the top 5. Fantastic author and recognized widely as one of the greats.

The series about Fitz and the Fool is one of the best. Outstanding writer who captivates the reader from beginning to end.

A really good author. Should be higher on the list.

Joe Abercrombie

Joe is outstanding. He visits the dark side of characters like no other.

Madeleine L'Engle

Madeleine L'Engle (November 29, 1918 - September 6, 2007) was an American writer of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and young adult literature. She's best known for A Wrinkle in Time and its sequels: A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and An Acceptable Time. Her works reflect both... read more

R.A. Salvatore

He was the first author my youngest son read for enjoyment. I was relieved as I read everything my kids did, and I enjoyed his works as well.