Recommend some sci-fi authors

[Pat Mustard]

I am somewhat tired of reading fantasy and crime.  If you know of any good science fiction writers, please mention them here.

I read the first chapter of Alastair Reynolds' The Prefect, and it is rather entertaining.

Older sci-fi Alfred Bester (as played by Walter Koenig on Babylon 5) had two amazing novels in The Stars my Destination (original title Tiger, Tiger) and The Demolished Man. The Stars my Destination essentially created most of cyberpunk's tropes 30 years before cyberpunk. But if you're going old school you've to pick up the two granddaddies of them all, H G Wells and Olaf Stapledon (who's probably given the most accurate picture of a possible god I've ever seen in fiction).

While you're at it, pick up Ursula le Guin, who only recently died. Her Ansible series of books is amazing. Then go onto EE "Doc" Smith the creator of the Lensman series. After that you've got the likes of Ray Bradbury, the Strugatsky brothers (their Roadside Picnic being the most influential), Philip K Dick, William Tenn, Cordwainer Smith, Arthur C Clarke and many many more I've enjoyed over the years.

Of modern sci-fi there are tons of good authors, just pick up a book and see what you like.

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L Ron Hubbard

I kind of avoid him, you know, because of the whole Scientology thing.....

He's also a shit writer, safe to ignore.

Edit: Forgot Harry Harrison, Gordon R Dickson and Robert Silverberg (who is also a very accomplished historian).