In this installment, I would like to recognize a few authors whom I feel have made outstanding contributions to the world of Science Fiction and Fantasy literature, yet are not considered among the very best. We’re not talking “Dungeons and Dragons” stuff here, folks.

I was inspired to write this post after perusing several lists regarding top Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels and finding very few female authors among them. Understandably, my haunches were raised, and my rabid feminism bubbled to the surface. What followed that immediate reaction was the sudden realization that, while there are more female writers in these genres than indicated by the lists, they simply have not, for whatever reason, produced great works as to rival the likes of Brave New World or 1984.

Sadly, this post would be mainly comprised of male writers had I not struggled to the contrary. However, there are a few female writers whose works have been recognized as, while perhaps not literary masterpieces, extremely worthy of mention in their own rights.

George. R. R. Martin –

The obvious choice for a Nerd Hero would be J. R. R. Tolkien. Well, I have decided to circumvent this option and shoot for, what I feel, is the author of the better series. Please don’t cry blasphemy. I am a fan of “Lord of the Rings,” just as well as anybody else. But the readability of the series is low; the stories are so dry. Yes, the man loved description and wasn’t afraid to include pages upon pages of it.

George succeeds in his ability to provide much more subtle description and maintain the readers’ interests. More importantly, twists, turns, plots, and subplots that interconnect into a web of intrigue define Mr. Martin’s work. He has fleshy characters, some of whom are admirable, others whose necks deserve to be wrung. It is not so easy to distinguish good from evil; nothing in the series “A Song of Fire and Ice” is spelled out for the reader. It is left for them to decide who is truly worthy of victory. At first I wasn’t a believer, but once I started in on A Game of Thrones, I started to understand just how good the book is: it’s a perfect blend of historical fiction, action, and fantasy.

J.K. Rowling –

She is not an extraordinary writer. Her prose is simplistic, her pacing uneven. Much of her subject matter is juvenile to say the least. For these reasons, she is often left off of the tops lists in Fantasy writing. Yet Ms. Rowling has a vast imagination, and that is one very important aspect of the genre. She has created a realm of magic and creatures, spells and mischief, good and evil. And she gets major points for the sheer financial success of her franchise. Hardcore nerds may claim that she rips off this series or that, but does it really matter? People forget that the “Harry Potter” series is aimed at shildren, and has captured the hearts and minds of kids everywhere; adults have just happened to latch onto it, as well. Read the fan fiction some time…I dare you.

Frank Herbert –

He must be included for developing one of the most imaginative science fiction chronicles ever written. Many people may disagree with me on that, but his gritty masterwork, Dune, is a major achievement. The desolate landscapes, rampant drug abuse, and ruthless characters elevate the novel from the standard droll of most sci-fi and fantasy.

Robin Hobb –

I’m trying to be objective and provide acceptabe counterpoints to what could easily be a male-dominated list. So I did my homework. Though I have not read her work, she came about on my search for prevalent female authors. Fantasy fans continuously mentioned her name as the leading female writer of the genre. Robin Hobb is actually the pen name of novelist Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden, and her most famous works include: “The Farseer Trilogy,” “Liveship Traders Trilogy,” and “The Tawny Man.” Apparently all three are based in the same realm, and promise action, intrigue, and interesting characters.

This is such a slight list. I could write forever, especially on the works of Robert Heinlein, Philip K. Dick, Gene Roddenberry, and Douglas Adams and their influences on nerd culture. Maybe for another post…