Leigh Bardugo, born on April 6, 1975, in Jerusalem, is a prominent American fantasy author celebrated for her young adult series set in the Grishaverse, including the Shadow and Bone trilogy and the Six of Crows duology. Raised in Los Angeles, she graduated from Yale University with a degree in English and has worked in various fields such as advertising, journalism, and special effects makeup. Bardugo’s debut novel, Shadow and Bone, published in 2012, quickly gained acclaim and was adapted into a Netflix series, further solidifying her status as a leading voice in contemporary fantasy. Her adult novel, Ninth House, released in 2019, also received critical praise and is being adapted for television. Bardugo’s diverse background and rich storytelling have made her a significant figure in modern literature, appealing to both young adults and adult readers alike.
Terry Pratchett Books
in Fantasy, Children's Literature, Satire, Science FictionSir Terry Pratchett, born on April 28, 1948, in Beaconsfield, England, was a prolific English author best known for his Discworld series, a collection of 41 comic fantasy novels published between 1983 and 2015. Pratchett displayed a passion for writing early in life, publishing his first story at age thirteen and later working as a journalist. His debut novel, The Carpet People, was released in 1971, but it was the Discworld series that catapulted him to fame, starting with The Colour of Magic. Over his career, he sold over 100 million books worldwide and received numerous accolades, including a knighthood in 2009 for services to literature. Pratchett was also an advocate for Alzheimer’s research after being diagnosed with the disease in 2007. He passed away on March 12, 2015, leaving behind a rich legacy of humor and insight in fantasy literature.
Katherine Arden Books
in Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Historical Fiction, HorrorKatherine Arden, born in 1987 in Austin, Texas, is an acclaimed American author best known for her Winternight trilogy, which intricately weaves fantasy elements into the rich tapestry of medieval Russia. After spending a year in Moscow following high school, she graduated from Middlebury College in 2011 with degrees in Russian and French. Arden’s writing journey began during a stint working on a farm in Hawaii, where boredom led her to pen her first novel inspired by her experiences and the folklore of Russia. Her debut, The Bear and the Nightingale, was published in 2017 and received critical acclaim, earning nominations for prestigious awards like the Hugo and Locus Awards. In addition to her fantasy works, she has authored the Small Spaces series for middle-grade readers, with the first book winning the Vermont Golden Dome Book Award in 2020. Currently residing in Vermont, Arden continues to create captivating stories that resonate with readers of all ages.
Christopher Golden Books
in Horror, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Mystery, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult FictionChristopher Golden is a prolific and versatile American author born on July 15, 1967, in Massachusetts. He is best known for his work in horror, fantasy, and suspense genres, writing novels for both adults and young adults. Golden’s career has been marked by numerous New York Times bestsellers and he has received critical acclaim, including winning the Bram Stoker Award. Some of his most popular works include “Road of Bones,” “Ararat,” “Snowblind,” and “Of Saints and Shadows.”
Kelley Armstrong Books
in Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Suspense, Young Adult FantasyKelley Armstrong, born on December 14, 1968, in Sudbury, Ontario, is a renowned Canadian author primarily known for her contributions to the fantasy genre. She gained prominence with her debut novel, Bitten, published in 2001, which launched the popular Women of the Otherworld series. Armstrong’s work spans various subgenres, including urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and young adult fiction, with over thirty-one novels to her name. Her series include Cainsville, Rockton, and Darkest Powers, showcasing her ability to blend supernatural elements with intricate character development.
Charlaine Harris Books
in Urban Fantasy, Cozy Mystery, Horror, Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Young Adult FantasyCharlaine Harris, born on November 25, 1951, in Tunica, Mississippi, is a celebrated American author best known for her contributions to the mystery and urban fantasy genres. She gained widespread acclaim with her Southern Vampire Mysteries series, which features telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse and was adapted into the successful HBO series True Blood, running from 2008 to 2014. Harris began her writing career at a young age and has since published numerous novels and short stories across various series, including the Aurora Teagarden and Harper Connelly mysteries.
Seanan McGuire Books
in Fantasy, Horror, Science Fiction, Short Fiction, Urban FantasySeanan McGuire, born on January 5, 1978, in Martinez, California, is a prolific American author known for her work in urban fantasy and speculative fiction. She gained prominence with her October Daye series, starting with Rosemary and Rue, published in 2009, which features a half-fae private investigator navigating the complexities of both the human and faerie worlds. In addition to her urban fantasy novels, McGuire writes science fiction and horror under the pseudonym Mira Grant, with notable works including the Newsflesh trilogy. She also writes children’s literature as A. Deborah Baker.
Ursula Vernon Books
in Fantasy, Children's Literature, Graphic Novels, Horror, Short FictionUrsula Vernon, born on May 28, 1977, is an acclaimed American author and illustrator known for her contributions to children’s literature and fantasy. Growing up in various locations including Oregon and Arizona, she studied anthropology at Macalester College in Minnesota, where she also began taking art classes. Vernon’s notable works include the Dragonbreath series and Hamster Princess, as well as the award-winning graphic novel Digger, which earned her multiple Hugo Awards. She also writes for an older audience under the pseudonym T. Kingfisher, producing acclaimed titles such as A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking and Nettle & Bone.
Leigh Bardugo Books
in Fantasy, Fantasy Romance (Romantasy), Short Stories, Young Adult FantasyLeigh Bardugo, born on April 6, 1975, in Jerusalem, is a prominent American fantasy author celebrated for her young adult series set in the Grishaverse, including the Shadow and Bone trilogy and the Six of Crows duology. Raised in Los Angeles, she graduated from Yale University with a degree in English and has worked in various fields such as advertising, journalism, and special effects makeup. Bardugo’s debut novel, Shadow and Bone, published in 2012, quickly gained acclaim and was adapted into a Netflix series, further solidifying her status as a leading voice in contemporary fantasy. Her adult novel, Ninth House, released in 2019, also received critical praise and is being adapted for television. Bardugo’s diverse background and rich storytelling have made her a significant figure in modern literature, appealing to both young adults and adult readers alike.
Sarah J. Maas Books
in Fantasy, Fantasy Romance (Romantasy), Young Adult FantasySarah J. Maas, born on March 5, 1986, in New York City, is a bestselling American author renowned for her captivating fantasy series, including Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City. Growing up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, she developed a passion for storytelling early on and began writing her debut novel at the age of sixteen. Maas graduated magna cum laude from Hamilton College with a degree in creative writing and a minor in religious studies. Her first published work, Throne of Glass, gained immense popularity after being serialized on FictionPress.com, leading to a successful publishing deal. As of 2024, her books have sold nearly 40 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 38 languages, solidifying her status as one of the most influential authors in contemporary fantasy literature.
Emily Henry Books
in Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Women's Fiction, Young Adult FictionEmily Henry is an American author celebrated for her bestselling romance novels, including Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation, Book Lovers, and Happy Place. Born in the 20th century, she grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she attended Lakota East High School before pursuing a creative writing scholarship at Hope College. After completing her studies, she also participated in a writing residency at the New York Center for Art & Media Studies. Henry began her writing career with young adult fiction, publishing her debut novel, The Love That Split the World, in 2016. Transitioning to adult romance, she gained widespread acclaim and commercial success, solidifying her place as a prominent voice in contemporary romance literature. Currently, she resides in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, where she continues to write and engage with her readers.