Shirley Jackson is also renowned for her scary short stories. As mentioned before, 'The Lottery' is a well - known piece. She has a knack for exploring the dark side of human nature and small - town life, often in a very unexpected way that leaves readers shocked.
Edgar Allan Poe is a master of the scary short story. His works are filled with psychological horror. 'The Fall of the House of Usher' is a prime example. The decaying mansion, the sickly characters, and the overall sense of doom create a spooky atmosphere that is hard to forget.
Leslie Feinberg is important in lesbian literary fiction with 'Stone Butch Blues'. Feinberg's work is significant for exploring not just lesbian relationships but also the broader aspects of gender identity within the lesbian community. Another author to consider is Audre Lorde. While not all of her work is strictly lesbian literary fiction, her poetry and some of her prose often touch on lesbian experiences, and she was a very influential figure in both feminist and lesbian literature, bringing important voices of black lesbians to the forefront.
Ken Follett is a great author in medieval historical fiction. His 'The Pillars of the Earth' is a masterpiece. Also, Bernard Cornwell with his 'The Last Kingdom' series. He really captures the essence of the medieval period in England during the Viking invasions. Anya Seton is another one, especially with 'Katherine'.
Rosemary Sutcliff is a top author when it comes to Roman legion fiction. Her work 'The Eagle of the Ninth' is a prime example. She has a way of bringing the Roman legions to life, showing their daily routines, battles, and the relationships between the soldiers. Robert Graves in 'I, Claudius' also excels. He portrays the legions in the context of Roman politics and power struggles, making them an integral part of the story.
Romance can be good for short stories. You can focus on the development of a relationship quickly and emotionally. Also, mystery is popular as you can pack a lot of suspense into a short space.
Edgar Allan Poe is a very well - known author of short scary stories. His works, like 'The Fall of the House of Usher' and 'The Masque of the Red Death', are full of gothic horror elements. His use of vivid descriptions, psychological terror, and macabre themes made his stories truly terrifying and still popular today.
Jean Plaidy is another author who excels. She is able to bring the political and social aspects of the Hundred Years War to life. Her books often show the power struggles between different factions and how the war affected the common people as well as the nobility.
Alan Brennert is one who excels. His work like 'Moloka'i' delves deep into Hawaiian history and the human experience there. James Michener is another. His 'Hawaii' is a comprehensive look at the islands. Kaui Hart Hemmings, with 'The Descendants', also does a great job of showing the modern Hawaiian family and their connection to the land.
Anne Rice is a prominent name in this genre too. Her Vampire Chronicles series has been highly influential, creating a rich and detailed world of vampires and other supernatural beings.
John Green is very well - known. His books like 'The Fault in Our Stars' and 'Looking for Alaska' are staples in realistic YA fiction. Laurie Halse Anderson is another. Her book 'Speak' is highly regarded for its handling of tough teen issues. Rainbow Rowell has also made a name for herself with 'Eleanor & Park' and other works.
Michelle Moran is well - known. As mentioned before, she has written books like 'Nefertiti' and 'The Heretic Queen' which are very popular in the Egyptian historical fiction genre.