As we start 2026, let’s begin by remembering the many authors we lost in 2025. To reduce the list to a readable blogpost, I’ll just honor the prominent American science fiction authors who died last year. I used the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction as a source.
Al Sarrantonio (1952-2025)
A horror writer, editor, publisher, he authored more than fifty books and ninety short stories, and edited several anthologies. He authored the Five Worlds science fiction trilogy and the Master of Mars scifi trilogy.
Thomas Hoobler (1942-2025)
Along with his surviving wife, Dorothy, he co-authored more than 100 books. In science fiction, they wrote The Hunters, Treasure Hunters, and Dr. Chill’s Project.
Barry B. Longyear (1942-2025)
He wrote numerous scifi novels, including the Hugo and Nebula winning novella Enemy Mine, later made into a movie. He was the first writer to win the Hugo, Nebula, and Campbell awards in the same year.
Peter David (1956-2025)
Though primarily a comic-book writer, he also wrote the novel several popular Star Trek novels, Babylon 5 novels, and novel adaptations of films, among others.
Susan Beth Pfeffer (1948-2025)
She wrote over seventy science fiction and young adult novels, including the popular Moon Crash series.
Paulette Jiles (1943-2025)
Though mainly a poet and memoirist, Jiles also wrote science fiction, notably The Late Great Human Road Show (set in a future dystopic Toronto), and Lighthouse Island (set in an overpopulated future with a worldwide city).
Martin Cruz Smith (1942-2025)
He wrote scifi and mystery. The Indians Won was alternate history. His Gypsy series featured a detective with ESP. He also wrote scifi thrillers The Inca Death Squad, Code Name: Werewolf, and The Devil’s Dozen.
Greg Iles (1960-2025)
Though he wrote novels in many genres, The Footprints of God features the blending of a human mind with a computer to run the government.
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (1942-2025)
More known for occult and mystery novels, she also wrote Cautionary Tales and the dystopian future novels Time of the Fourth Horseman, False Dawn, and Hyacinth.
Robert R. Chase (1948-2025)
His scifi short stories appeared in Analog, and Asimov’s Science Fiction magazine. He also published three scifi novels.
John Varley (1947-2025)
A Hugo and Nebula award winner, he wrote fourteen novels and numerous short stories. Notable series include the Eight Worlds series and the Thunder and Lightning series. In style, he compared to Robert A. Heinlein.
Requiescant in pace
May these authors rest in peace. In a way, they live forever, since their writings endure. They’re remembered today by—
Poseidon’s Scribe
