Every year I look forward to discovering new authors, and 2021 was a very good year. I’ve compiled a list of ten new-to-me authors that I read for the first time in 2021. The criteria for this list is that an author had to have published at least two books (not a debut author, in other words). I’m listing them in alphabetical order, and I’ll link up my reviews if you’re interested.
Alan Baxter
I read The Gulp way back in January, and it still haunts me. I guarantee it’s going to make my best of the year list in a couple of weeks! I’m holding out hope that Baxter is working on more stories from the Gulp, but I’m excited to read more from him no matter what the subject matter. Read my review here.
Kimi Cunningham Grant
These Silent Woods was such a fantastic surprise! I just don’t read enough mystery/thrillers, and I hope to read more next year. Grant has a book called Fallen Mountains that I see all over the place, so I’m definitely interested in catching up with her backlist. Read my review here.
R.W.W. Greene
Greene has written a couple of books and has a new book coming out next year. Twenty-Five to Life was a great introduction to this talented author, and I’m excited to read his next book. Read my review here.
John Gwynne
John Gwynne is beloved in the world of epic fantasy, and I’m so glad I decided to read The Shadow of the Gods this year, which is the start to a new series. Gwynne is just as good as everyone says he is! Read my review here.
Stark Holborn
I had heard great things about Stark Holborn’s Triggernometry series, so I jumped at the chance to read and review Ten Low. And it was fantastic! I can’t wait to find time to check out Holborn’s backlist soon. Read my review here.
Jeremy Robert Johnson
I heard about Jeremy Robert Johnson on Instagram. I follow quite a few small press/indie horror reviewers, and it wasn’t long before I knew I had to try one of his books. In the River was heartbreaking and beautifully written, and I can’t wait to read more of his backlist. Read my review here.
Richard Lange
I actually own one of Lange’s short story collections but I haven’t read it. When Rovers was announced, a dark urban vampire tale, I knew I had to read it, and I’m so glad I did. Read my review here.
Fonda Lee
I’m actually surprised I haven’t read any Fonda Lee before this year, but I finally dove into her incredible Green Bone Saga earlier in the year. I may not be able to finish the series this month, but I’m reading Jade War now and loving it! Read my review here.
Ronald Malfi
I had no idea what I was getting into when I requested Come With Me, and boy did it blow me away! I loved the book so much, I’ve already bought a couple of Ronald Malfi’s backlist books, and lucky for me, he’s written a lot. Don’t worry, you’ll be seeing this book on my “Best of 2021” list! Read my review here.
Tim Pratt
Tim Pratt has quite the backlist, but for some reason I hadn’t had a chance to check him out until now. Doors of Sleep was an amazing surprise, and I’m so happy the sequel comes out in 2022. Read my review here.
I haven’t read any of them, sadly, even if Gwynne was in my list of authors tonread this year. I failed miserably with that list but I can always do better next year! And I have read a ton of amazing new to me authors all the same so… All is good!
On another note, Gwynne’s pic is awesome!
I love that photo too:-)
Good list, Tammy! There were so many new-to-me authors that I read this year that it’s hard to pick a fave. I’ll go with This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno. It’s AI horror but so much more, and Moreno is so skilled at turning metaphors into symbols.
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I’m very interested in This Thing Between Us, glad to hear you liked it!
As you know, I owe to you the discovery of Stark Holborn and the amazing “Ten Low”, and of course I’ve fast become a John Gwynne fan, to the point that I would read any of his new books sight unseen… š
Big yes to both of those authors! I’m looking forward to more Stark:-)
These are all new to me but I love the author picture of John Gwynne!
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Isn’t that a great photo?
Kimi Cunningham Grant and Ronald Malfi were also new to me this year, and I very much enjoyed both those books. There are others here I’d love to discover soon.
I’m so glad I discovered Ronald Malfi especially. I can’t imagine not reading Come With Me:-)
I loved Fallen and These Silent Woods by KCG. Robin loves the Fonda Lee series. This matches up with our Your Choice on Friday 12-24 and is the topic Sophia and I are doing. I hope you’ll consider linking up for more people to see your list.
Yes, I will link up, Anne, thanks!
Glad you found so many new authors to read this year.
Me too. There are so many more I need to read now:-)
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed Fonda Lee. I’m hopping my library gets an audiobook copy of Jade War soon because the production has been fantastic. You’re going to have to start her YA series that starts with Exo.
I’ll add Exo to my list!
I haven’t actually read any of these authors — but I do love the topic (and I’m planning to do it next week in place of the “official” TTT topic). I think I may finally try the Fonda Lee books. For some reason, I thought they wouldn’t appeal to me when the first came out, but I keep hearing how great they are.
It’s a great topic! I’m looking forward to your list:-)
I also discovered quite a few authors this year, I am making a list for later in the week and a few are on here!
I’ll look forward to your list!
These are all great! All ten are new to me, so I’m putting a few on my list for books to dive into next. “The Gulp” sounds really interesting — I love any book/anthology with stories that move along and differ. Keeps things exciting! “Doors of Sleep” is another book from your list that really interests me. I’m excited to be introduced to Tim Pratt! The concept of being able to travel through dreams both fascinates and terrifies me. Thanks for sharing your list — you’ve done all the hard work in finding these jewels!
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Thanks for visiting! I’m glad I could introduce you to some new authors:-)
I love discovering new authors, too. It definitely does look like a great year of discovery for you, I want to check out quite a few of these authors’ books. I love John Gwynne, I’m glad you found him this year, and same with Fonda Lee!
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There are still so many authors I’ve never read, hopefully I can cross some more off my list next year:-)
I’ve not read any of these authors yet but did buy a copy of Shadow of the Gods after reading glowing reviews from you and from Sarah.
It was really good, hope you enjoy:-)
Thanks so much for including me on your list!
My pleasure Rob!
Yes John Gwynne was also new to me. I think I might give his backlist a try later on.
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I’ve seen so much incredible praise this year for Green Bone Saga. I think I’m going to have to treat myself to the trilogy this year. This is a great list of authors.
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Great list. I’ve only read a couple of these authors so far but loved them both. And, I have a couple of the others on my wishlist.
Lynn š
Those are all new to me both authors and books. I guess I have a great many books I can look forward to. š
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The Gulp sounded good, and I want to read Fonda Lee too! But I haven’t read any of these yet. Glad to hear they are all worth it though!
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