Genre authors, like genre fiction, often get no respect. Traditional biographical dictionaries tend to focus on established authors with literary credentials, and if genre writers are included, they are certainly not the focus of the book. Yet genre fans hunger for information about their favorite writers. This compilation focuses exclusively on genre fiction authors, more specifically today's most popular genre authors. It profiles representatives from all major genres (mystery/detective, crime, adventure/suspense, thriller, horror, fantasy, science fiction, western, historical, women's, and romance). Most are contemporary authors, but a few classics who are still in print and widely read (e.g., J.R.R. Tolkien), are included. Featured authors include Julia Alvarez, Maeve Binchy, Lawrence Block, Clive Cussler, Tony Hillerman, Jan Karon, Faye Kellerman, Dean Koontz, Charles de Lint, Robert Ludlum, Terry McMillan, Anne Rice, Nora Roberts, Scott Turow, and Stuart Woods. A wonderful reference, particularly for readers' advisors and adult and teen readers seeking information about their favorite writers, this book can also be used as a source for student reports and research papers. It is an affordable alternative to multivolume sets. Young adult and adult. Grades 10 and up.


In addition to information about the personal and writing lives of this fascinating and diverse group, users will find a complete list of their published works—fiction and nonfiction. Black-and-white author photos accompany many of the profiles.