Genre authors, like genre fiction, are often ignored by traditional biographical dictionaries. Yet genre fans hunger for information about their favorite writers. This compilation focuses exclusively on 100 genre fiction authors—specifically today’s most popular genre authors. It profiles representatives from all major genres including mystery/detective, crime, adventure/suspense, thriller, horror, fantasy, science fiction, western, historical, women's, and romance. While focusing on such contemporary authors as Julia Alvarez, Maeve Binchy, Tony Hillerman, Dean Koontz, Robert Ludlum, and others, a few mainstays whose works are still in print and widely read (e.g., J.R.R. Tolkien), are included. 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.