Former Introduction Thread Showing 1,151-1,200 of 6,846

[Valerie]

Hi all,
Dear all,
may I introduce myself? My (pen) name is Valerie J. Long, and I am a writer of erotic science fiction/fantasy action thrillers.

About myself
I was born in Germany in the sixties of the last century. I am working as an IT Project Manager for an international company, and I live in Wiesbaden.
I read a lot. My bookshelves are overloaded with surely more than 2’000 books, mostly fantasy and science fiction. Among my favorites are J. R. R. Tolkien, Robert Heinlein, Alan Dean Foster and David Weber, only to mention a few. You bet I’ve grown up with Captain Kirk and Luke Skywalker, but I’ve also digested “Barbarella” and “Logan’s run”…
I am a fan of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, I like Alien, Sin City or Kill Bill, but I also enjoy watching Notting Hill.
I also travel a lot. If you read my stories and think—oops, she must know that place well—maybe you’re right, I’ve been there before.

About my writing
Basically my history as a writer starts with my history as a fantasy role playing game master. Writing fantasy stories for role playing is a very good training for story plotting—players will inevitably spot any hole in your story logic.
I’ve written some very short shorts—some not more than one or two pages—until one day I joined a story contest in a German online community. Result was the beginning of “Lioness’ Heart” (in German, of course). It was a big success, but it quickly became clear that the story could not simply end with a murder. It had to continue.
One chapter a day the story grew. I’m in the fifth year now, and I’m still posting one chapter each day to my small demanding online community. Meanwhile I’m two books and about two thirds of a year ahead of my readers, and my ideas cover one more books that I yet have to write. My readers also demanded a printed version of my stories, and they got it.

Somewhere on my shelf you'll find my books, but those don't belong in my intro.
Cheers,
Valerie

[Cinda]

Hi, my name is Cinda Williams Chima and I write young adult fantasy, though my latest series was pubbed as "grown up" in Europe. I grew up in a household full of talking animals. My Barbies were never teenage fashion models—they were wizards and international spies. I began writing romance novels in middle school, which were often confiscated by my teachers, and I was once caught reading Valley of the Dolls in Problems of Democracy class. I feel totally unread compared to many of the people here, split as I am between reading young adult fiction and adult fantasy (that always sounds a bit dodgy.)
Some of the first fantasy I read was the LOTR and the Hobbit, and I'm still a LOTR nerd. I also enjoyed Mercedes Lackey and Eddings' Belgariad series and Tad Williams Dragonbone Chair series. Now much but not all of what I read is YA--Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series, Megan Whalen Turner's Thief series, Tamora Pierce, Robin Hobb, George R.R. Martin, Scott Westerfeld and Neil Gaiman.
I'm a goodreads author and if you're curious about what I write, my website is www.cindachima.com

[AJ]

Hi all, I'm a huge fan of fantasy and sci fi, been reading since LotR and the DragonLance Chronicles captured my imagination back in...well just way back. Since then I have devoured most of the "big ones" in the fantasy genre but I would love to hear further suggestions of the eclectic kind. I always love to discuss fantasy and sci fi in general as I think it warrants the most interesting conversations.

I currently live in Boston. I just finished Altered Carbon (good timing apparently for this month!) and I am about to start The Windup Girl. Can't wait to chat with you!

[Socalsteve]

Hi I'm Steve. I'm from Los Angeles, CA. I was reading an L.A. Times article on the iPad and they mentioned Goodreads.com, so here I am! I'm a reader and a tech nerd, so most of my reading is done on the Kindle (previously) and iPad (currently).

I lean mostly towards SFF, YA and adult and hop from various other fiction genres depending on my mood :)

Looking forward to interacting with you all!

[Lisa]

Ciao, tutti! My name is Lisa and after looking at some of the intros here, it appears that I am a 'geezer,' LOL! And that I have a lot of catching up to do on my reading as well. I am currently in FL, but have spent most of the last year in Europe, staying predominately in Rome.

I am currently reading "A Deepness in the Sky" by Vernor Vinge. In the last couple of years my book consumption has slowed to a trickle with most of my time being taken up with podcasts.

I enjoy many different subgenres of sci-fi/fantasy/horror and also read some historical romances and classic lit. While living in LA I would be one of those hardcore fans, waiting in line for tickets to panels for the LA Times Festival of Books (where I got to meet and talk with Ray Bradbury 3 times!!) and attending book signings for new authors like the awesome Scott Sigler (the NY Times Bestselling Author of 'Infected,' 'Contagious,' and others; check him out).

I've read from Lord Dunsany to Stephanie Meyers; Lovecraft to Betrice Smalls and like to keep an open mind. I would say my favorite authors are Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, H.P. Lovecraft and Scott Sigler.

[John]

Hi Everyone,

My name is John Cicero and I am a fantasy / adventure author. My passion for writing is driven from the joy I receive from reading my stories to my children.

Watching the expressions on their face as I take them on a journey through the magical pages of my imagination is what drives me to find the time to write.

My recently released novels are in the Rainbow's Shadow Trilogy. They are Rainbow’s Shadow and the Tablets of Fate and Rainbow’s Shadow and the Covenant of Wisdom.

As a passionate writer in Northeast, Ohio I have been fortunate to hit the Best Sellers list with 'Tablets of Fate' and am on track currently with the 'Covenant of Wisdom'.

The final novel in my trilogy is Rainbow’s Shadow and the Other Side of Paradise which is currently in development.

If you have a moment check out my website and my Rainbow's Shadow Trilogy today at... www.RainbowsShadow.com

Take care, John

John Cicero

[Adam]

Hello, my name is Adam and I'm a reporter and author from Washington, DC. Although I read all kind of books, sci-fi is definitely my favorite -- especially speculative / dystopian fiction like Fahrenheit 451 or 1984. I'm also a big Vonnegut fan, if that counts (especially Slaughterhouse-Five).

Anyway, looking forward to chatting with you all!

[Vlad]

Hello there,

My name is Vlad, I am from the strange and mystic land of Romania, where the fiction mixes with science in very strange ways, almost they avoid each other in the way suplhur mixes with water.
I ended up here beacause of my passion for literature, and I surely love sci-fi.

Peace and harmony

[Clay]

Hi

I'm from North Carolina where I live with my wife and cat. We write together (my wife, that is...the cat does nothing). I get to read precious little fiction these days between full-time job and writing, and research for part-time teaching gig in African history. I tend to prefer historical and classic sci-fi fantasy, and pulps from the 1930s. I'm slowly working my way through Haggard's Quatermain series and I want to get back and read Peake's Titus Groan (anybody still read that thing? I love that book, but not so much to others in the series).

[Richard]

Vlad wrote: "Hello there,

My name is Vlad, I am from the strange and mystic land of Romania, ..."

Vlad from Romania sends us wishes of Peace and Harmony.

Priceless.

Great to have you with us Vlad, looking forward to some Eastern European viewpoints on Sci-fi. If I recall correctly that part of the world has some fine SF connections.

[John]

hello to all.
im in manchester england and i mainly read fantasy and some scifi.my favourite authors are steven erikson robert jordan, robin hobb and peter hamilton.anything with a good story really.i,ve never joined a discussion group before and i hope to get plenty of tips for new books and authors.just started altered carbon.only about 50 pages in though.looking forward to your posts.
john

[Alyssa]

Greetings, ugly bags of water.

I'm in Ohio where, as everyone knows, we wear overalls and plaid for every social situation, have created every possible use for corn, and let the cows sleep on our couches when they're feeling lonely. Although I'm in high school, most young adult books have begun to seem rather limited and overly absorbed in the hormonal fluctuations of teenagers, so I've been gradually moving more and more into the big and scary adult section. My love of reading really kicked off with Brian Jacques in second grade (where everyone was confused why I would read a books seemingly titled "Brian Jacques" in larger print than the actual titles) and Eragon in fourth.

My skills include weightlifting 600 page tomes and racing through crowded hallways to classes while reading. My favorite authors include Terry Pratchett, Diana Wynne Jones, Neal Stephenson, Tamora Pierce, P.C. Hodgell, Agatha Christie, Anne McCaffery, and Isaac Asimov. I read mostly fantasy and scifi, with a little bit of real science thrown in.

[T.J.]

Since I've already commented in the Jim Butcher section I guess I should introduce myself. I'm also from Ohio. Although directions to the house I grew up in included the words "turn off the paved road" I don't recall letting the cows into the house. I've been reading Sci-Fi since 2nd grade starting with the Chronicles of Narnia and the Wrinkle in Time series. Lately I've been reading more urban fantasy, the Dresden Files opened my eyes to that genre. That being said I don't know if I can force myself to read about glittering vampires. *makes gagging sounds.

My favorite authors include Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, George RR Martin, Orson Scott Card, and Tolkien.

[Kim]

Hi everybody.

I'm from North Queensland, Australia. Been a fan of sci-fi & fantasy for as long as I can remember. Haven't had a chance to read too much this year though. Only managed to read the first two of the Demon Trilogy by Peter Brett, the latest Feist book and The Magician's Apprentice by Trudi Canavan. Hopefully will get through some more.

Favourite authors:
Raymond Feist (sometimes :P)
Terry Pratchett
George Martin
Neil Gaiman

[Richard]

Kim wrote: "Hi everybody.

I'm from North Queensland, Australia. Been a fan of sci-fi & fantasy for as long as I can remember. Haven't had a chance to read too much this year though. Only managed to read the f..."

Hi Kim,
Have you tried reading your fellow countryman
Damien Broderick. The two I've read: The dreaming dragons: A time opera and The sea's furthest end, were very good indeed. In fact The dreaming dragons: A time opera is in Science Fiction: The 100 Best Novels : An English-Language Selection, 1949-1984.

[John]

Thadd wrote: "John wrote: "hello to all.
im in manchester england and i mainly read fantasy and some scifi.my favourite authors are steven erikson robert jordan, robin hobb and peter hamilton.anything with a goo..."

thanks for the heads up, i always love finding new books and authors. gonna make a point of finding that , its the first tip i,ve been given. cheers

[Kim]

Richard wrote:Have you tried reading your fellow countryman Damien Broderick.

Can't say I have. Haven't even come across the name so far. I'll keep my eye out for it.

[Teagan]

Hello! I've been reading science fiction and fantasy for decades, with a special affection of Ursula K. LeGuin, Roger Zelazny and James Tiptree Jr. More recently, I've discovered writers like Sonya Taaffe, Greer Gilman, and Caitlin Kiernan.

[Jeannie]

Hi Im Jeannie I live in Australia and I LOVE Science Fiction and Fantasy books they are basically all I read. I also really love good Sci Fi and Fantasy Movies and T.V.

[Vicky]

Hello! I'm from Utah and lived there most of my life but am now living in England. A bit of a change. :) I like to read Fantasy and SciFi, history, and anything that catches my eye really. I don't know that I could give a favorite author as it temds to be whoever I'm reading and like at the moment! And as the car has recently died and is yet to be replaced I now have loads of time spent on a bus for reading.

[Gator]

I'm 45, born in NY, moved to Florida a million (30) years ago. I'm an attorney but I do IT work instead of practicing.

I read mostly science fiction, some fantasy. I enjoy multi book series because I get into the characters and want to read more about them.

I have a problem in that I only read ebooks now. I read them on my iPhone. I love them because I can read them anywhere like the doctors office, the mechanics, at lunch etc. because I always have my phone and I don't have to carry something extra. The problem lies in the fact that not all books are ebooks yet so I am a little limited.

My favorite series have been Dune, Gunslinger, Ender's Games, Hobbit and following trilogy. I also enjoy Neil Gaiman, Stephen King and space operas. Here are some books I have recently read.

Agent to the Stars
Amazonia
Brisingr (Inheritance, Book 3)
Camouflage
Containment
Dominant Species
Earth Strike: Star Carrier: Book One
Ender in Exile
Flinx Transcendent: A Pip & Flinx Adventure
House of Suns
Immune (The Rho Agenda : Book Two)
Instinct: A Chess Team Adventure
Manta's Gift
Old Man's War
Olympus Prime - Return of the Titans
Orphan's Triumph
Paul of Dune
Pulse
Quicksilver: Volume One of the Baroque Cycle
Seeker
Sh*t My Dad Says
Space Prison, The Survivors (The science fiction thriller classic!)
Spin
The Android's Dream
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
The Diamond Age
The Ghost Brigades (A Sci Fi Essential Book)
The Gypsy Morph
The Last Colony
The Lost Fleet: Victorious
The Lovely Bones
The Pillars of the Earth
The Second Ship (The Rho Agenda : Book One)
The Temporal Void
The Variant
The Winds of Dune
Under the Dome: A Novel
Watchers

If you have any ebook reccomendations based on what I have read PLEASE feel free to let me know.

[Jon]

Hello. I live in central Pennsylvania. I'm a fantasy writer and a fantasy lover. I just finished reading Tales of the Dying Earth (Vance), and I'm starting on Swords & Dark Magic: The New Sword and Sorcery (Ed. Anders).

Glad to meet you all.

[Cindy]

Hi Everyone :) Welcome to the book club!

[William]

Welcome to the club, Jon. I also am a fantasy writer/lover. Many of us here are authors, so you are in good company!

[Zee]

Hola! I hail from the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

I hate unhappy endings, love books that make my heart-rate speed up, and am currently gripped in a horrendously embarrassing but oh-so fascinating Nora Roberts reading marathon.

When I'm not giving in to my inner (and most times, mercilessly smothered) romantic, I usually go for books with a good amount of humor in them.

Because I'm just awesome like that.

[William]

Welcome to the group, Zee. I hope you find the discussions here helpful and stimulating.

[Zee]

William wrote: "Welcome to the group, Zee. I hope you find the discussions here helpful and stimulating."

Thanks, William! I'm sure they will be.

[noctober]

Hi all. I'm a college student who splits her time between too-sunny Honolulu, HI and pleasantly gloomy Tacoma, WA. My parents refer to me as the family vampire and my friends call me Oh Secret Devious One (well, not really, but they should...)

I have a very tiny attention span, so I rarely finish books that are over 400 pages. The last fantasy book I enjoyed was Fire by Kristin Cashore and I'm thinking about reading Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.

[Zee]

KV wrote: "Hi all. I'm a college student who splits her time between too-sunny Honolulu, HI and pleasantly gloomy Tacoma, WA. My parents refer to me as the family vampire and my friends call me Oh Secret De..."

Oh Secret Devious One? I never knew....I'll be sure to call you that from now on ^_~

[Lanae]

Greetings,

I'm 23 years old, and I've been reading since I was 4. I read fiction (and occasional non-fiction) of all stripes. When I first read "The Hobbit" for school at age 11, I didn't really like it and thought the author had stolen the idea of Orcs from my favorite game at the time: Warcraft.

The first true fantasy novel I can remember falling in love with was "The Child Queen" by Nancy McKenzie (age 12), and my first trilogy was the "Symphony of Ages" by Elizabeth Haydon (starting at age 14). I suppose that explains my yearning for a splash of romance to intertwine with gritty battles and backroom politics.

I have been consuming fantasy ever since, and have started reading more and more scifi in the past few years. I love scifi movies and television (I am convinced that Battlestar Galactica and Firefly are the two best television series. Ever.) I also play lots of video games and read comics. I suppose I am a "Nerdette" of the highest magnitude.

Aside from fantasy/scifi, the book that has had the highest impact on me is "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn. It was literally one of those books that shifted my entire perspective on the world after reading it (one all-night session at the tender age of 16).

I believe it is important to reflect on how old one was when a book was read, because it has such a huge impact on how a book's message is absorbed. I am really excited about this group's monthly discussions, and the chance to re-read many of my books and be able to get entirely new perspectives out of them.

Speculative fiction, IMHO, is the most important genre of literature, because it allows us to truly examine every aspect of the human experience in a removed way that strips away the preconceived biases that attend the familiar. We are able to develop more honest opinions about the very real world we live in when we can contemplate the political factions and social structure of some distant make-believe realm, than when meditating on those same things in our own sphere of reality (where our own experiences inevitably color and distort the truth).

Anyways, I very much look forward to both passionate discussions and spirited debate with many of you!

[Keith]

My name is Keith David Henry. By all accounts I'm a geek, but I love it! (It seems we're much more popular these days than in times past) :-)

Anyway, I'm a great lover of Science Fiction, and of science in general (but specifically particle physics and cosmology).

My typical genre for my writing is metaphysics and philosophy. I've written 5 books in about two years, and I'm working on number 6. It's like a lays potato chip... I just can't stop!

But I just couldn't resist writing a science fiction novel. I think it's a good book, although I don't consider myself a seasoned writer. I've been writing since I've been 13 years old - I'm 48 now - and I think the medium is challenging and rewarding. Ok... yes... I'm also pretty long-winded. :-)

Thanks for inviting me to your group!

[Gene]

Hello! I'm new to GoodReads, so forgive me if I end up doing something inappropriate. I'm Gene Doucette, an author with a book coming out on 10/1/10 called IMMORTAL with Hamel Integrity Publishing. I'll head on over to the "recommends" section to pimp it more thoroughly.

I live in Cambridge MA and am busy right now spreading promotional cards and pretending I don't work for a bank in my day job.

My SF/F tastes-- outside of my own work-- drifts between classic hard sci-fi, classic high fantasy, and the awesomeness that is Neal Stephenson, Christopher Moore and Neil Gaiman.

My current read is actually a non-fiction history book, as I am in research mode at the moment...

[Stephanie]

Hello. I'm a 22 year old college student studying Physics. I've been looking for a good online community for sharing book reviews and recommendations. Science fiction and fantasy happen to be my favorite genres when it comes to literature. I love to read, and I'm very open to suggestions.

I'm also very interested in reading the classics when it comes to these genres. I really just want to expand my horizons, if you will. I'm very glad to be here.

[[deleted user]]

Hello, everyone. I live in Ontario, Canada and have been working as a family law lawyer for a while. I started writing my first book when I was 13, and it was awful, but it was a good learning experience. My first published book was Resenting the Hero, by Ace, which came out in 2006. My most recently published book is Heroes Return, the fifth of the series, which came out in July.

I've read a fair slew of fantasy and urban fantasy (love Tanya Huff) while also enjoying some mysteries and the odd less challenging classic. I belong to a book club, which forces me to read books I'd never ordinarily consider. (I can't believe how much I liked Lonesome Dove. A western!)

I'm looking forward to enjoying all that this site has to offer. It's fabulous.

[Cecile]

Hello everyone!

I joined this group because I am a fan of science fiction. The only fanstasy I've read is the last volume of Harry Potter, and perhaps A Wrinkle in Time (I assume it is fantasy and not science fiction), so, I can't say I know much about it.

Regarding science fiction and speculative fiction, I'm happy to have read Gibson, Stephenson, McDevitt, and Card,to name a few.

I've recently enjoyed ALTERED CARBON by Morgan, and GRIDLINKED, by Asher to a lesser extent. Just started reading Moriarty's, SPIN STATE.

I've read one book each of Heilein's and Clarke.

I enjoy writers who take the time to people their books with capable women and people of all races in all roles. After all, race is given meaning only when there are power, monetary and political interests afoot. Although human nature includes "isms" of all kinds, I like getting away from the more primitive aspects of tribalism that are based on color and religion.

Now, I probably wouldn't like to have to deal with AIs or the monstrously ancient and corrupt Methuselas featured in Altered Carbon, but that's another story.

Cheers.

[[deleted user]]

Hello fellow readers.
My name is Jeffrey Gershom. I've been reading SF/F for a longtime, over 30 years. I live within the beautiful prairie of Grand Island, Nebraska. About a 100 miles away to the east, in Lincoln, lives one of my favorite authors, Robert Reed. My areas of interest in SF/F are astronomy, archaeology, human/technology interactions, human/alien interactions, and humor. Strong characters are a must.

My hope is to share in the discussions within this group. Having an online community like this, that specializes in SF/F, is wonderful. Especially since I keep to myself and work weird schedules.

[Joseph]

Hello handsome and lovely SFF readers, I too am a lifelong SFF reader.

I stuck mostly to the "canon" classics when I was younger (Heinlein, Herbert, Tolkien, Howard, Asimov) but I've been reading more and more recent works lately (and loving them). New favorites include Charles Stross and Michael Flynn.

I'm also an aspiring SF author, so you may see me chatting up my own work sometime in the future.

[Julia]

Hello, friends and readers.

I've been a die-hard reader of sci-fi and fantasy from a young age. My first great love was The Chronicles of Narnia, but I also loved the works of Tamora Pierce, Brian Jacques, and Anne McCaffrey. My first great sci-fi obsession as a child was with Animorphs. I still consider myself a fan, and even reading back as an adult I think it has great merit both artistically and thematically.

I love sci-fi works that explore humanism, gender, philosophy, and social justice. Sci-fi doesn't need to have a message, but I like when it does.

I love the short stories of Ursula K. LeGuin, Philip K. Dick, and Isaac Asimov. My favorite books are:

His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin
The Dispossessed: An Ambiguous Utopia by Ursula K. LeGuin
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

plus the works of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. I'm currently reading Anathem and The Name of the Wind.

I'm also a huge fan of sci-fi television. My great obsession is Doctor Who, but I also like Torchwood, Tin Man, and everything Joss Whedon has ever produced. I'm currently starting to watch BSG.

I'm here because I love to discuss and think about what I'm reading with fellow fans. I also hope to discover some books I might not have otherwise read. Can't wait to meet some of you.

[Jon]

Welcome to the group, Julia.

[Lee]

Production Assistant at a NBC affiliate. Serial napper. Lover of Hamburgers, French Fries and Vanilla Cokes. Beer Geek.

[Brenda]

I am a new member too! I have been a SF and F author for about 20 years now, and have been a finalist for both the Hugo and the Nebula awards. My most recent novels were out from Tor, and I have an ebook available at Book View Cafe.

[Tim Scofield]

Hello all, I'm new to the group and my name is Tim. I was born in Pasadena,Ca in 1961 which makes me one of the previously mentioned "geezers".

I've been an avid reader since age 13 when I read (can you guess?) Lord of The Rings. I started reading science fiction rather late in life (2 years ago) because I never used to like it. Now I read as much as I can.

I' married and have a 2 year old son.

Some of my current favorite authors are: Iain M Banks, Neal Stephenson, Gene Wolfe, George RR Martin, Charles Stross and Vernor Vinge - to name a few.

[Stuart]

Tim wrote: "Hello all, I'm new to the group and my name is Tim. I was born in Pasadena,Ca in 1961 which makes me one of the previously mentioned "geezers".

I've been an avid reader since age 13 when I read..."

If you were born in '61 then we are the same age. Good list of authors you have there.

[Julia]

Hey there, I'm also Julia! I'm 16 and I attend UNC Wilmington. I'm getting ready to graduate and hopefully go to UNC Chapel Hill. I've been reading fantasy practically since I could read (so 14 years? or 13?). My favorite series, hands down, is the Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, with Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy series at a close second. Unlike most SFF nerds, I'm just now reading LotR; I'm on my third try, and I think this one's the charm! :)

[Curt]

Hello Folks int he Know. To be honest, my first scifi story was the Magnus Robot Fighter comic back in the Neolithic Era. Then back on the schoolyard we were talking loud about the Hercules vs The Mole Men flick we saw that weekend when our English teacher basically said don't believe the hype. To the library and a collection of Greek myths (non illustrated) then Homer!
Andre Norton was second on the 'I need to read more of this'list.

[Larry]

Hello. I'm a Chicago Saloon Poet, currently an LA podcaster. Between 1990 and 2002 I hosted open mics, featured at many Chi-town venues and festivals, organized the protest poetry reading at the ' 96 Democratic Convention, hosted a weekly poetry and jazz show on pirate station Guerilla Love Radio as DJ Merlot, published poetry books and the online/print zines Liquid Glyph and City Table Review, and performed in Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, NY, LA and SF, and with ensemble groups Brothers in Verse and the many versions of my poetry band Brass Orchid. Now Iproduces the "Sundown Lounge" podzine, and his latest project, my horror/SF podcast and ebook novel, Banjo Strings.

I read a lot growing up: anything by Issac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, Octavia Butler, Samuel R. Delaney, Walt Whitman, Elizabeth Bishop, Nikki Giovanni, Carlos Castenada, Pablo Neruda, Joseph Campbell, James Joyce, Agatha Christie, Wole Soyinka, Alice Walker, Robert Anton Wilson, Spider Robinson, Roger Zelazny, Harlan Ellison, Ralph Ellison, James Baldwin, Richard Wright, Wanda Coleman, Zora Neale Hurston, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Theodore Sturgeon, Maxine Hong Kingston, Ishmael Reed, Anne McCaffrey, Dan Brown, Alexander Dumas, Ben Bova... There are many other authors I've read and enjoyed - this short list is just off the top of my head.

[Curt]

Larry wrote: "Hello. I'm a Chicago Saloon Poet, currently an LA podcaster. Between 1990 and 2002 I hosted open mics, featured at many Chi-town venues and festivals, organized the protest poetry reading at the ' ..."
Just by putting Ishmael Reed down, you're alright with me. His The Freelance Pallbearers and George Orwell's Animal Farm got me through the Ice Ages of the late Sixties and Seventies.

[Tina]

I am from Chicago. My first Sci-fi book was Kindred by Octavia Butler, it changed my life. I then sought out every book she wrote. I re-read Kindred every year to relive my first forway into Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. I have added several authors to my shelf like Nalo Hopkinson, Steven Barnes, Brandon Massey, L.A. Banks, Charles R. Saunders. I am also a big star trek (TNG and DS9). I primary like to read books that include diversity view points. So if you know of any authors that write from a diverse view point please let me know

[Curt]

Tina wrote: "I am from Chicago. My first Sci-fi book was Kindred by Octavia Butler, it changed my life. I then sought out every book she wrote. I re-read Kindred every year to relive my first forway into Sci..." Milady Tina, from the hogbutchering proud city-state of Chicago; Valjeanne Jeffers is one such writer on this site. Milton Davis. Carole McDonell, Malcolm Pettaway, are just a few of the authors with published works waiting for you. The websites Black Science Fiction Society, PurpleMag, HueMind Fantastic,WestofTimbuc2, have other displays of POC writing. Don't be shy m'aam.

[Tina]

Curt wrote: "Tina wrote: "I am from Chicago. My first Sci-fi book was Kindred by Octavia Butler, it changed my life. I then sought out every book she wrote. I re-read Kindred every year to relive my first fo..."

Curt, thanks for the advise. I am on BlackScience Foition Society nightly and I have Valjenna Jeffers book on my kindle waiting to be read. But I will check out the sites and authors