Here are 7 Author Shoutouts for this week. Find your favorite author or discover an author whose work you’ve not yet read.
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This Week’s Author Shoutouts
Robin Hobb
An Author Shoutout to Robin Hobb, whose true name is Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden. She is a titan of epic fantasy, celebrated for her profound and deeply emotional character-driven narratives. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential writers in the genre.
Hobb’s magnum opus is the expansive Realm of the Elderlings, a 16-book series that has captivated readers for decades. It began with the beloved Farseer Trilogy, which introduced readers to the fan-favorite protagonist, FitzChivalry Farseer, and his enigmatic companion, the Fool. The Fool, a key figure in her most famous books, was originally intended to be a minor character in her outline for the trilogy, a testament to her willingness to let her characters’ will guide the story.
Known for her immersive and introspective prose, Hobb excels at exploring the complexities of human relationships and the emotional weight of duty and trauma. Her work is often praised by other authors.
Hobb has a dual identity as a writer, also publishing contemporary fantasy under the name Megan Lindholm. Her journey to becoming a full-time author was a long one, as she balanced writing with raising four children and working various jobs. Her perseverance has paid off, cementing her legacy as a master storyteller.
Jay Kristoff
An Author Shoutout to Jay Kristoff who has cemented his place as a leading voice in the grimdark fantasy genre. Known for his fast-paced, action-packed narratives and a distinctive, often irreverent, writing style, Kristoff is a master of crafting morally complex worlds. He is famously 6’7″ tall, and, as his fans know, he does not believe in happy endings.
Before becoming a full-time author, Kristoff worked in creative advertising and was a voice actor and stuntman, a background that is clearly reflected in his cinematic and high-energy novels. He is a multiple Aurealis Award winner, one of Australia’s most prestigious awards for speculative fiction.
His famous Nevernight Chronicle trilogy follows a young assassin-in-training seeking vengeance in a world of three suns. The series is celebrated for its extensive and darkly humorous footnotes, which give the books a unique voice.
More recently, Kristoff launched the bestselling Empire of the Vampire trilogy, a dark fantasy saga set in a world conquered by monstrous vampires. This series is a love letter to classic vampire lore and is praised for its epic scope, emotional storytelling, and beautiful illustrations. Whether writing about assassins or vampire hunters, Kristoff consistently delivers brutal, unforgettable, and compulsively readable stories.
John Gwynne
An Author Shoutout to John Gwynne, a British author of epic fantasy, renowned for his visceral, character-driven narratives and his commitment to classic, heroic storytelling. He is a multi-award-winning writer, with his books often compared to the work of his literary hero, David Gemmell.
Gwynne’s deep connection to history is a major influence on his writing. A former Viking re-enactor, he has firsthand experience in a shield wall, which he channels into the authentic and brutal battle scenes in his novels.
His journey as an author began with The Faithful and the Fallen, a sweeping epic fantasy quartet set in the world of the Banished Lands. The series, which explores a timeless battle between good and evil, earned him the David Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Debut.
More recently, Gwynne launched The Bloodsworn Saga, a trilogy inspired by Norse mythology and the epic poem Beowulf. This new series showcases his mastery of crafting complex characters and a more intimate narrative. Whether writing about prophecies or gods, John Gwynne’s novels are a celebration of classic fantasy, bringing a sense of honor, courage, and true epic scale to every page.
Kristen Ciccarelli
An Author Shoutout to Kristen Ciccarelli who has a knack for crafting enchanting stories with high-stakes romance. Her journey from working a variety of jobs—including baker and potter—to becoming a bestselling author is a testament to her dedication and passion for storytelling.
Growing up on a grape farm, Ciccarelli’s childhood was spent imagining worlds filled with magic and girls wielding cool weapons, a theme that has carried into her work. Her debut, The Iskari series, introduced her to the world of fantasy, but it is her recent work that has earned her widespread acclaim.
Ciccarelli’s newest duology, The Crimson Moth, began with the instant bestseller Heartless Hunter. The novel is a tense and captivating enemies-to-lovers story that follows a vigilante witch and a ruthless witch hunter who are forced to pretend to be in love. The highly anticipated second book, Rebel Witch, promises to continue the high-stakes plot and emotional complexity of the first.
Known for her accessible prose and intricate magic systems, Ciccarelli has a gift for building believable romantic tension. Her novels are a perfect blend of high fantasy and compelling love stories, making her a beloved voice for fans of the romantasy genre.
Costanza Casati
An Author Shoutout to Costanza Casati, a Texas-born, Italy-raised author who has made a name for herself by giving a voice to some of the most complex women in ancient history and mythology. Her novels are celebrated for their meticulous research and a modern, feminist sensibility.
Raised in Italy, Casati received a rigorous classical education, where she spent years studying Ancient Greek and its literature. This deep knowledge of the classical world is evident in her writing, which brings the brutality and beauty of ancient societies to life in stunning detail.
Her debut novel, Clytemnestra, is a powerful retelling of the story of the notorious Spartan queen. The novel, which won the Glass Bell Award, gives a voice to a woman who was historically condemned as a murderer, exploring themes of female rage and agency. She followed this success with her second book, Babylonia, a bestseller that tells the epic story of Semiramis, the only female ruler of the Assyrian Empire.
A former screenwriter and journalist, Casati has a knack for crafting character-driven narratives that are both historically accurate and emotionally compelling. By focusing on the lives of remarkable women, Costanza Casati is crafting a new kind of epic that resonates deeply with contemporary readers.
Rebecca Roanhorse
An Author Shoutout to Rebecca Roanhorse who is celebrated for her innovative and award-winning fantasy and speculative fiction. She is a prominent voice in the genre, with her work lauded for its deep roots in Indigenous and pre-Columbian cultures.
Roanhorse’s journey as a writer is a unique one, shaped by her background as an adopted child of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo and African American heritage. Before becoming a full-time author, she worked as a computer programmer and a lawyer specializing in Federal Indian law. Her experience in these fields is a clear influence on her writing, which often explores themes of power, identity, and the importance of representation.
Her acclaimed Between Earth and Sky trilogy is an epic fantasy inspired by the civilizations of the pre-Columbian Americas, a refreshing departure from traditional European-inspired fantasy. The first book, Black Sun, was a bestseller and has been praised for its intricate world-building, morally ambiguous characters, and complex political systems.
A winner of multiple Hugo and Nebula Awards, Roanhorse is a prolific writer whose work also includes contributions to Marvel comics and the Star Wars universe. She has also been open about her goal to write the kinds of stories she wished she could have read as a young, Black, and Native girl, and her work is a testament to that powerful mission.
Imani Erriu
An Author Shoutout to Imani Erriu, a British author who has become a leading voice in the romantasy genre, blending high-stakes romance with magical, atmospheric worlds. Her journey to literary fame is a modern fairy tale, sparked by a single viral video on TikTok.
Hailing from the picturesque Lake District in England, Erriu’s childhood was filled with imagination and exploration, a foundation that is evident in her rich and immersive world-building. She holds a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Manchester Metropolitan University, where she honed her craft.
Her acclaimed debut series, The Heavenly Bodies, has become an international bestseller. The story is an epic enemies-to-lovers romance inspired by Greek mythology and astrology. It follows a cursed princess who is forced to train with a rival prince to become a weapon against the tyrannical gods who rule their world. The series, which began with Heavenly Bodies, is a perfect example of Erriu’s talent for creating high-stakes tension and morally complex characters.
When she’s not writing, Erriu enjoys eating pasta and watching her favorite TV show, The Office. Her rapid rise to fame is a testament to the power of social media to connect authors with readers, and she has cemented her place as a fresh and exciting talent in modern fantasy.
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