Top Ten Poll: Who is the greatest sci-fi writer of all time?
Over on the Facebook group, we were discussing how selecting the “greatest sci-fi writer of all time” is a bit silly in its over-selectivity, however, it does promote some excellent conversation and debate! And it is a fun way to pick each other's brains on what makes some writers so good. To say nothing of getting more ideas for future authors to check out!
From over 100 total nominations and nearly 300 voters from this blog and the Facebook group, we have narrowed down the list of nominations to a top 10 list. Your heavy task this week is to take a look at the authors and choose just one. Don't forget you can check out the full list of nominations from last week's post to get even more ideas for your reading list!
Who out of these top 10 authors is the greatest sci-fi writer of all time?
Octavia Butler should be in this list in my opinion.
Octavia definitely in the realm of speculative fiction. Too bad she’s not here anymore, if I’m not mistaken. Philip Jose Farmer I’ve not seen mentioned also, great stories.
Philip Jose Farmer was a fabulous writer. I loved his River World stories! I’m sure he had plenty of others worth reading as well. He had a wonderful imagination!
Jules Verne, The Father of SciFi.,
atomic submarine, space travel, the greatest geological adventure of all time, all over one hundred fifty years ago.
Absolutely agree..but Pierce Brown Red Rising series should have made the first list..Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman..Illuminae Files was epic!
Very hard choice. I’ve 7 of the 10 authors most of my life and choosing one is challenging!
What about Alfred Bester?
No Sturgeon, or Zelazny, where’s my Spider Robinson? Poul Anderson deserves to be on the list, how about Gordon Dickson, I’m sorry, can’t pick just one.
E. E. ‘Doc’ Smith – Lensman Series
C. S. Lewis – Space Trilogy
Edgar Rice Burroughs – John Carter of Mars
Harlan Ellison – A Boy and His Dog
John Norman – Gor Series
H P Lovecraft
No C.J. Cherryh?! Gah. This is an impossible question. Your list is far too short.
Edgar Rice Burroughs deserves this, and he’s not even an option.
Totally agree Princess of Mars was my first sci-fi read and led me into a lifetime of enjoyment thanks to my father! BTW-I have a First edition that’s a treasured posession.
Larry
I would want to add Poul Anderson’s name to the list, having read many of his stories in my early years.
I’m shocked that C. J. Cherryh isn’t on this list. 🙁 She at least ranks equal to Anne McCaffrey in my book.
Ursala Le Guin cannot be overlooked.