Quote:
Originally Posted by DrNefario
Robin Hobb is the only really glaring omission, to me. You could argue that many of the others belong in different categories (SF, Urban Fantasy, Horror, whatever).
And Xanthe, good luck getting all of those into your Top 10.  |
The problem is, I think, that in order to be considered legitimate "fantasy" in "official" lists like this, the characters usually have to wear homespun clothing, they have to be either a orphan/kidnapped at birth/a courtesan/thief, there has to be a swordfight, some kingdom is always threatening another kingdom, and there's always a mage involved. In fact, the closer to Tolkein the story seems to be, the better.
To me, urban fantasy is legitimate "fantasy" too. And all of the authors I mentioned have written fantasy even if they also write in other genres.
I wonder if it's easier for a male author to get an ongoing fantasy book deal than a female author? Because a lot more female authors seem to branch out into other genres after having managed to sell only a couple of their fantasy books, which is why they might be better known in other genres. And if you read the acknowledgements of books, you often see that a fantasy book being released now by an established female author was actually written years ago but no publisher would buy it then.