The greatest alive?

[onyxhawke]

So who is the greatest living science fiction and fantasy author? Is it Ray Bradbury who has done the rarest of all things for genre fiction and crossed over to being used in English classes from elementary school all the way to college and universities?  Does it go to Stephen King? He's sold oodles of books and even managed to convince the mainstream he isn't (usually) science fiction? Can we anoint Terry Pratchett? Despite his presence, and the legacy of Douglas Adams, People who Matter are still convinced humor doesn't sell. Another reasonable choice is Lois Bujold who has more Hugo Awards for both science fiction and fantasy, and is a perennial nominee for the Locus, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards as well? A case can be made for J.K. Rowling as well, without much need to go into what she's done. Robin Hobb certainly deserves a strong look as well. Mercedes Lackey has helped define SF/F for the last two decades and has written and sold across half a dozen of the subgenres. Another name some might throw out is China Meiville, for lush language and creativity?  R. A. Salvatore has sold well enough that he can make a legit claim to being the greatest too.

 

So is the greatest living SF/F writer one of these? Or is there someone I just don't know?

Comments

[amandatkd.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with Kate. Pratchett would be my first choice. I've talked to more people, young and old alike, who have returned to reading the genre because of him. I also agree that Dave and Sarah are two writers who are under-appreciated and yet who have great talent and engaging voices.

Of the others, I have to take my hat off to Rowling. She put forth a product that made kids -- and adults -- want to read. She brought a number of readers to the genre who had either never considered reading SF/F or who had left the genre and had no intention of ever returning. For that, kudos.

[onyxhawke.livejournal.com]

I've tried two of TP's books and while I don't hate them and was able to finish them for the sake of the writing, I didn't find them to be particularly magnetic. This is still several steps above some of the stuff I've seen get fawned over, and there's one author who sells obscenely well that would _never_ have made it past my slush pile. I won't name names, but they are not listed anywhere here.