Dragons & Jetpacks discussion

For the BOTM next month we have focused on women writers and extra to that I'd be interested if people discussed the great women writers they have read, are reading or plan to read over the month.
I know a few , including myself , have new year resolutions to get a bit more balance in our reading so hopefully this helps.
Further to all this I do have a prize to go along with the month.
We have a signed , doodled paperback copy of Jen Williams debut fantasy novel The Copper Promise.
I will happily send this worldwide , my only restriction is that I want it to go to an active member (anyone who has taken part in a book discussion or general group activity over the last couple of months is fine) of the group so if interested let me know in this thread.
Good luck

Can you post a pic of the doodle?

I don't understand why people are all of a sudden so interested in diversifying their reading to make sure that they read a specific type of author. I understand that the field is dominated by white male authors but for me that has zero bearing on what I am going to read. Take the The Copper Promise, this book is on my TBR list and I had zero clue that the author was female, nor do I even care, the premise of her book sounds interesting so I'll give it a try.

I'm not trying to say it's a bad idea it is just something that doesn't have a bearing on me when I pick a book.

Roger wrote: "I don't understand why people are all of a sudden so interested in diversifying their reading to make sure that they read a specific type of author. I understand that the field is dominated by whit..."

I think it's just a way of going out of the box and intentionally looking for the books we don't usually go for. If we don't do that (intentionally diversify our reading), we might be stuck in a rut and won't even know it.

I'd like to think I've always been as open minded as you Roger but I notice that its only in the last two or three years that I've read any decent number of women authors. I think I am at the same point as you now though. If I like the premise it doesn't matter who wrote it.
Its still interesting the number of female fantasy authors using initials rather than there name though .
Will I put you down for the contest if your interested in the book already :-)

I 've a picture taken I'll add in a few

Ana wrote: "Roger wrote: "I don't understand why people are all of a sudden so interested in diversifying their reading to make sure that they read a specific type of author. I understand that the field is dom..."

Well that's true, I guess I do that a little bit, but I'm more interested in people from different parts of the world and to see their takes on fantasy.

I mean I do have a few female authors that are on my list to always read, if anyone is interested in checking some of them out. I have seen them in other places so they are some popular but here they are

Patricia Briggs - by far my favorite urban fantasy author and that includes the Dresden Files
Mercedes Lackey
Anne Mccafrey - I just can't read her son though
Ilona Andrews (the Kate Daniels stuff)
Carrie Vaughn

If you haven't read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstein you really should, absolutely amazing book.

And yes I'm interested in the contest, a signed book like that would immediately join my favorites shelf!

I'd definitely be interested!

I second Roger's comment on The Night Circus - one of our very early BOTM's I believe?

I also love Caitlin Moran. She's a genius.

A few I've enjoyed:

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
A Girl Is a Half-formed Thing by Eimear McBride
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
The Penelopiad and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

For me there is only really one author that I will check out every single thing they write and that is Brandon Sanderson. The rest of my books are based on recommendations, seeing them in a bookshop, and on the specific books premise - whether male or female.

I don't know if it's true, bit I guess there are more male writers in Fantasy/Sci-fi particularly? so my reading is generally dominated by male writers, but not purposefully.

Moved the Night Circus to my to-read shelf now, Roger & Kirsty, I've heard it being mentioned by friends before and the ratings seem great, moved it to my to-read ;D I have only read Ilona Andrews from your list, Roger, since I've recently started on Kate Daniels, and I love it!

I also don't particularly go for a specific gender of authors when it comes to what to read next. Or any kind of specific details whatsoever. I don't feel as if my shelves are male-dominated, but that may yet come. But I do get the reasoning behind it!

Some female fantasy authors I have on my shelves:
- Naomi Novik; I loved Uprooted and I'm going to try to get my hands on the Temeraire series.
- Juliet Marillier; This is if you're in for romantic historical fantasy, specifically focused on the Celtic folklore. I like it, and I've read a lot of it, but not everyone does.

And then there's a bunch of YA authors that I'm sure you already know, the authors I've listed are already pretty damn popular as it is but hey :)

Anyway, back on topic! The Copper Promise looks pretty promising! (badum ptssjjj) I'm interested :)

*collective groan* someone had to make that pun Kimberley!! :D

I wasn't a huge fan of the Temeraire series, but I do plan on reading Uprooted.

Signature and doodle shown below.
Absolutley agree with you Roger on The Night Circus.Such an amazing book. I'll definitely check out a few of the other authors mentioned. I read a few short stories by Carrie Vaughan and keep meaning to check out a novel by her.

Roger, Kirsty and Kimberley added to the prize list. I might get a second signed book before the month starts but not another copy of this. I have a copy of The Copper Promise and the sequel The Iron Ghost which I will read very soon. I'm hoping to read Uprooted in the coming weeks as well.

Having seen the doodle, Paul, I wish to be considered for this prize. I actually added this to my to-read shelf just today, which had to be an omen. I'm sure you'll agree.

Absolutely an omen Ryan :-)
I was slighlty dissapointed no one nominated the book for the monthly read.

I would be interested in the book giveaway. :)

Some of my favorite female authors:
Anne Bishop
Patricia Briggs
Ilona Andrews
Leigh Bardugo
Karen Marie Moning (the fever series only)
Robin Hobb

Coming up with a book to nominate this month made me suddenly realize how few female authors I read! It is an odd trend that there are fewer popular female SFF writers than male. I agree that when I was younger, many of the YA authors I read were female.

- I am also a huge fan of Ilona Andrews, but don't forget that that's a husband AND wife writing team! I actually think that's super cool and that their writing is fantastic.
- I've probably mentioned this, but I love the Kushiel series by Jacqueline Carey, one of my all-time favorites.
- Also really enjoyed Anne McCaffrey when I was younger, I should pick up some more of her work.
- I read all of The Hollows series by Kim Harrison, but the quality went downhill for me as it progressed so I haven't decided if I'll read her new stuff.
- I have some Elizabeth Haydon and Tanith Lee on my shelf, both of which I really enjoyed when I was younger but haven't read in years.
- Recently tried The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb, but I didn't like it as much as I had hoped to.

I would be interested in The Copper Promise! Hadn't heard of it, but I have to respect anyone with awesome dragon doodling skills. :)

Its a book full of dragons as well Susie.

I felt terrible that I only recently realised that robin hobb was a lady. I assumed because she was so prolific that she was a man. My feminist self was not amused with myself.

I read The Copper Promise only the other month and found it very entertaining. It's everything you want, a story full of adventure, warriors, blood, gore and gods.

I'll be reading it very soon Kevin so glad to hear its worth it.

Interesting. All this discussion and nary a mention of C.J. (Carolyn Janice) Cherryh. I've read more books by her than any other genre author and still am not finished.

Not an author I've actually read yet but thats some amount of books she has. Sounds like she's worth the read anyway based on a few of the blurbs

Paul wrote: "Not an author I've actually read yet but thats some amount of books she has. Sounds like she's worth the read anyway based on a few of the blurbs"

If I were to make a specific C.J. Cherryh recommendation it would be: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
One of her earlier works and still one of the best.

That sounds really good Jim. Definitely one for my TBR. Sounds like it falls in the ballpark of Forever War , Old Mans War and the likes

Jim wrote: "Paul wrote: "Not an author I've actually read yet but thats some amount of books she has. Sounds like she's worth the read anyway based on a few of the blurbs"

If I were to make a specific C.J. Ch..."

I read this when I was younger and wasn't a fan, but I think it is one of those I would enjoy more now. I might have to give it a re-read

Well, she's written all kinds of books. Space Opera, fantasy, etc. There might be something in her output that speaks to you more successfully. I have to admit to not being thrilled with everything she's written, but still admire her craft and love most of her stuff. She's my age (i.e., old) and is still engaged in continuing her Foreigner series: https://www.goodreads.com/series/4080...

Like Roger and others have said, I also I pay basically no mind to the personal identity of authors. By coincidence I am currently reading two books by female authors (The Goblin Emperor and Six of Crows --both very good in different ways, and highly recommended...so far at least!). I didn't really notice or think of it until this month's topic came up.

On the other hand, I can totally see the merit of highlighting and diversifying authors, considering there seems to be a large majority of white male authors, especially in our favorite genres (genres which also have an unfortunate history of under-utilizing non-white, non-female characters, at best) . The reasons behind this apparent majority are probably multi-faceted, but I'm sure certain levels of unfairness rank among those reasons! We have "JK Rowling" instead of "Joanne Rowling" for precisely the fear of bias against female authors.

So bearing that in mind, giving more authors, who seemingly rank among those who are more limited in opportunities, a chance to be seen can't hurt. In doing so, we hopefully generate momentum among publishers to behave as color-blind and gender-blind as we the readers (hopefully) already are :)

Andrew interested to see what you think of Six of Crows. I recently became aware of it and looks like my kind of book.

Lancer I can already tell you that you will probably love this book LOL This is probably the most "Ketty Jay" book I have read outside of Ketty Jay.

Apparently it's in the same world of another series I have not read, but with original characters. It doesn't seem to matter, it is written so new people can come to learn the unique magic system and the nuances of the cultures.

To me the blurb reads like gritty fantasy from a female author, so I was interested right away. But now you throw Ketty Jay in there so I'm now doubly interested. It has just jumped many spots up the to read ladder :)

I had only vaguely Six of Crows, but it has phenomenal GR reviews. I read the description and couldn't tell it was supposed to be YA. Interesting!

Lots of good recommendations in this thread. Dragons, aliens, goblins... my TBR grows every day!

Don't forget anyone interested in the signed book let me know in this thread. I'll probably leave the draw for one week so it can be sent in time for the start of the month

I really had trouble choosing between female authors for my suggestion for this months vote. I had more than 5 names I was thinking of but in the end picked one that I know hadn't been mentioned for a vote before and that I thought might be more interesting/enticing for both gender of readers (as sometimes they can focus more on the romance and I know that stops some interest). The names I had been thinking of where:
Robin Hobb / Megan Lindholm (very different but both styles were enjoyable).
Trudi Canavan
Lani Taylor
Kirstin Cashore
Margrate Atwood
Maria V Snyder
and these where just the ones that sprang to mind.

I don't really pay attention to the gender/age/ethnicity/previous employment of authors when selecting to read a book or not, just go by the description and reviews or if a (trusted) friend recommends (that pretty much includes anything from this group but not my sister who has limited taste in books). for me a book should stand on its own merits and while sometimes knowing life details of the author can add to understanding where the story has come from (e.g. Spellbound), I don't find it adds much. Its kind of like films for me - I don't need to know that an actor was having an affair while filming because that doesn't have bearing on the story that the film is telling me, it detracts from it.

I would like to be included in the draw for Copper Promise please!

I havent read any Robin Hobb books but i do have one of her books on my shelf which i plan to read this year. Copper Promise sounds really interesting, i would love to be included in the draw for it please. I love Rob Thruman books her Cal series has become one of my favorite series. It has monster, blood, supernatural elements, fantasy, cussing, a guy who is like a ninja and flamethrowers.

Hannah and Shannon added to my list :-)

Paul wrote: "Hannah and Shannon added to my list :-)"

Thank you ^_^;

Lynne wrote: "I really had trouble choosing between female authors for my suggestion for this months vote. I had more than 5 names I was thinking of but in the end picked one that I know hadn't been mentioned fo..."

How do you like Trudi Canavan's latest series? I loved her Age of Five series and the first Black Magician's series, but I have been underwhelmed with her stuff since then, including the first book of her Thief series. I was wondering if got better...

Thanks for organising this themed month, Paul :D I'd like to be added to the giveaway list please.

I'll comment soon with some female author recs - right now I need to go and do some research for a job interview on Friday!

Ooh. Good luck with the interview. Consider your self added.

I'd like to be in the draw as well :)

No worries :-)

Roger - her Black Magician series is the one i really love and come back, i also really enjoyed the prequel to that story. I found the second series (Traitor Spy) ok but i thought it got weaker or more rushed towards the end and that it just set it up to go right into another series.

I haven't read the newest series, mainly because its just not made it to the top of the stack. Sorry I can't reassure you that it gets better but i hope you enjoy the next one more

Thank you, Paul! Please add me to the list.

Many of the above are favorites of mine as well. I also really loved The Night Circus. I'll add a few of my favorite sci fi authors:
Ann Aguirre (Sirantha Jax series)
S. L. Viehl (Stardoc series)
Rachel Bach
Octavia Butler

Fantasy:
Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant

Naturally, I want a chance to win a book.

My favorites have been

Madeleine L'Engle
Maria V Snyder
Shannon Hale

New discoveries/plan to read more of are
Maggie Steifvater
J.R. Johansson
Debra Driza
Cinda Williams Chima
Ursula K. LeGuin
Rosemary Sutcliff

J.K. Rowling is officially my favourite author. It says so on my Goodreads page.

Last year I read Kameron Hurley and Catherynne M. Valente whose books I very much liked. I also enjoyed Emily Brontë, Ann Leckie, Helene Wecker, Diana Wynne Jones, Shirley Jackson and Ursula K. Le Guin.

Its dangerous the number of author names I'm taking in here. Next year I'll have to do a male author month to redress the balance ;-)
Some seriously interesting stuff coming up.
Just finished Between Two Thorns by Emma Newman
and Started Kalpa Imperial: The Greatest Empire That Never Was by Angélica Gorodischer and translated by Ursula K. Le Guin.
Really enjoyed the first but the second is amazing so far. Really something different.

I hear ya Paul, i just want to go through them all and add them to my TBR list right now but I have to be an adult today (BOOO). Though it's for a good reason so that helps, little boy turns 7 next week and has a birthday party tomorrow!

Brilliant. Kids parties are always fun. Well mostly. Our little fella is a summer birthday so zoo or farms parties work

Okay, time to sit down and share some of my fave ladies!

One of my more recent reads is The Empress Game by Rhonda Mason. It's the only book I've read of hers, and I think she's a fairly new writer, but I was totally blown away. Some fantastic space opera and definitely worth your time!

I'm going to make a mention of Jaine Fenn, who is truly lovely. She writes science fiction, and I first came into contact with her in 2013. She took part in my Sci-Fi Month event with an author interview, and I've met her twice now, both times at Bristolcon. She recognised my name instantly, thanked me for my review of her recent short story she'd sent me, and mentioned she had a new release coming and would I like to review it. Basically, she knows how to interact with her fanbase very well. Her sci-fi series is a mix of books to be read in order, and others that can be read as standalones within the same universe.

Marianne Curley and Katherine Roberts cannot be forgotten! Both of these ladies write fantasy for younger audiences, and wrote some of my favourite books as a child/teen. And both of them took time out of their busy schedules to let me interview them for my blog. Like Jaine, they are lovely people and know how to treat their fans :) Marianne has written the Guardians of Time series which involves time travel (yaaaas) and Katherine has written several series, my favourite being the Echorium Sequence, where words and song are power.

My lady of the moment... Diana Gabaldon. Thank you SO MUCH for creating the beautiful Scotsman that is Jamie Fraser. If you're into historical fiction, try her Outlander series (or give the show a watch, totally worth it just for Sam Heughan alone, not to mention the beautiful Catriona Balfe and the gorgeous Scottish landscapes).

Sarah J Maas is another female author I love, although I've only read one of her series. I met her in 2013 and she was the sweetest. She brought her own copy of Throne of Glass for fans to sign, and it travelled all over the world. That was pretty cool :)

Of course, my queen J.K. Rowling. But do I even need to say that? She shaped my childhood.

And because this post will be an entire novel if I write a paragraph about every awesome lady, I'll just list the others: Kristin Cashore, S J Kincaid, Suzanne Collins, Laini Taylor, V E Schwab.

If we're talking non-fiction, I also highly recommend Josie Dew.

One female author I still haven't gotten round to, but will soon, is Robin Hobb.

Paul, I've decided I'll be continuing this theme a bit on my blog throughout Feb too :)

Thats great to hear Rinn. I'm going to pull a few blog posts together myself with all the great names put forward here. My tbr has really profited from this thread so far so thank you to everyone.