E. L. James gained wide popularity with her 'Fifty Shades' series. Although it has received a fair amount of criticism for its writing style, it undeniably had a huge impact on the contemporary erotic fiction market, bringing the genre more into the mainstream spotlight.
Anais Nin is often considered one of the notable ones. Her works are known for their exploration of sensuality and female sexuality in an artistic way.
Henry Miller is also regarded as a great in this genre. His books are raw and unapologetic in their portrayal of sexual experiences, while also delving into deeper human emotions and the human condition. For example, his work 'Tropic of Cancer' contains elements that are both sexually charged and thought - provoking about life and society at that time.
Some of the best authors in fiction include J.K. Rowling. She created the magical world of Harry Potter which has captured the hearts of millions around the world. Her detailed descriptions of Hogwarts and its characters make the series truly immersive.
Some of the best authors of fiction include William Shakespeare. His plays, which are also considered great works of fiction, have complex characters and timeless themes. Another is Jane Austen, known for her sharp social commentary in novels like 'Pride and Prejudice'. And J.K. Rowling, who created the incredibly popular 'Harry Potter' series that has captured the imagination of millions around the world.
Agatha Christie is renowned in the world of fiction. Her detective novels, like 'Murder on the Orient Express', are known for their intricate plots and clever mystery - solving. She was a pioneer in the detective fiction genre and her works still hold great appeal today.
Since we are avoiding the erotic aspect, another great 80s author was Toni Morrison. Her novels like 'Beloved' were powerful works that explored complex themes such as race, identity, and history in a very profound way. She was one of the most important voices in 80s literature, and her works are still widely studied and celebrated today.
O. Henry is an old - time master of short heist fiction. His stories often have a clever twist at the end which is a hallmark of good heist fiction. Also, Patricia Highsmith has written some excellent works with heist elements. Her characters are often morally ambiguous, which adds an extra layer of depth to her heist - related stories.
Dashiell Hammett is also highly regarded. His novel 'The Maltese Falcon' introduced Sam Spade, a private detective who has to navigate through a web of lies and deception. Hammett's writing style is terse and impactful, and his stories are full of moral ambiguity.
J.K. Rowling is one of the best. Her 'Harry Potter' series has captured the hearts of millions around the world. The magical world she created is full of wonder, with complex characters and an engaging plot that spans across seven books.
Frank Herbert is an author of best sf fiction with his work 'Dune'. He created a vast and detailed world that has influenced many other works. Isaac Asimov is another one. His 'Foundation' series is a cornerstone of the genre. And Arthur C. Clarke, who wrote '2001: A Space Odyssey', is also among the greats.
Well, Ray Bradbury is a top science fiction author. His 'Fahrenheit 451' is a classic that warns about the dangers of censorship in a future society. Ursula K. Le Guin is another great one. Her 'The Left Hand of Darkness' explores gender and society in a unique way. And then there's H.G. Wells, who is considered one of the fathers of science fiction with works like 'The War of the Worlds' and 'The Time Machine'.
One of the authors could be Jeff VanderMeer. His works are often known for their unique and sometimes surreal take on science fiction elements. Another might be Ann Leckie, who had some great works that explored themes like identity and power in a science - fictional context.