15 Best Authors Like Terry Pratchett For Sci-Fi And Fantasy Novels

Are you looking for more authors like Terry Pratchett? Check out our list of hilarious and imaginative writers of fantasy and contemporary sci-fi novels.

Caption: A photo of Terry Pratchett at the New York Comic Con, 2012

Sir Terry Pratchett has published 50 bestselling books over his writing career, which sold over 80 million copies worldwide. He’s well-known for his Discworld series, set on a fascinating flat planet balanced by four elephants on top of a giant turtle. 

Pratchett’s Discworld books were also among BBC’s 100 Most Inspiring Novels, adapted into TV series. Before his death in 2015, Pratchett published the last Discworld novel, The Shepherd’s Crown. If you’re interested in this topic, you’ll love our guide with the best fantasy authors!

Here Are The Best Authors Like Terry Pratchett

1. J.K. Rowling, 1965 – Present

J.K. Rowling is a fantasy writer who first worked at Amnesty International in London. That’s when she started writing the adventures of Harry Potter, a seven-book series that made Rowling famous and the World’s Richest Author in 2017.

The first novel in the series is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which tells the story of a young orphan who discovers his wizard abilities and enters a fantasy world by enrolling in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Rowling is a great narrator of time travel and escapism. You might like our post detailing the previously unpublished Terry Pratchett stories to be published.

“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”

J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

2. Neil Gaiman, 1960 – Present

Neil Gaiman is the mastermind behind the Sandman series, which became the first comic to receive the 1991 World Fantasy Award for Best Short Story. He also collaborated with Terry Pratchett in 1990 and published Good Omens, one of the 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time. 

Gaiman also wrote the American Gods and received four major awards after its release, including the Hugo Award for Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel. The storyline will take you on Shadow’s strange and unsettling journey into the soul of America.

“Religions are places to stand and look and act, vantage points from which to view the world.”

Neil Gaiman, American Gods

3. Jasper Fforde, 1961 – Present

Jasper Fforde is an English novelist who worked in the film industry for 20 years before finally switching to writing literary fiction. His first book, published in 2001, The Eyre Affair, immediately made it to the New York Time Bestselling list. The book is the first installment of his Thursday Next series, from which Fforde manifested that English literature can also be a clever topic in fiction novels. 

Interestingly, all books of Fforde include an excerpt from invented biographies, and social history works in the prefaces and end with a series of product advertisements. His fun and creative writing style distinguishes him from others. You might be interested in exploring sci-fi books, such as the best Edgar Rice Burroughs books.

“We all make mistakes at some time in our lives, some more than others. It is only when the cost is counted in human lives that people really take notice.”

Jasper Fforde, The Eyre Affair

4. Tom Holt, 1961 – Present

British author Tom Holt is famous for his humorous fantasy and fiction novels. He’s often compared to Terry Pratchett for their similar writing style and their stories featuring creatures like orcs and goblins. However, unlike Pratchett’s Discworld world-building, Holt prefers to use Earth as his setting.

He has already published 57 books, including the J.W. Wells & Co. series that debuted with The Portable Door. It was adapted by Sky Cinema to produce an original film of Holt’s magical world. 

“The worst punishment there is for wanting the wrong thing is getting it.”

Tom Holt, The Portable Door

5. Christopher Moore, 1957 – Present

Christopher Moore took an interest in writing at an early age. In 1992, he debuted Practical Demonkeeping, the first book in his Pine Cove series, which has twist after twist to entertain his readers.

Moore has authored 18 novels, and among his international bestsellers are A Dirty Job and Lamb. Lamb received numerous controversies regarding its contents about religious figures. However, Moore clarified that his work is not an attack on faith as he was merely expanding his imaginative world into the depths of the religious sector. 

“It’s hard for me, a Jew, to stay in the moment. Without the past, where is the guilt? And without the future, where is the dread? And without guilt and dread, who am I?”

Christopher Moore, Lamb

6. Ben Aaronovitch, 1964 – Present

Ben Aaronovitch is a novel writer and a bestselling urban fantasy icon. His life-turning novel series, Rivers of London, features a mixed-race policeman, Peter Grant, as his main character. The last two books of this series, False Value and Amongst Our Weapons, became number one Sunday Times Bestsellers. The series was also adapted for a screenplay by three production companies, mainly Pure Fiction Television.

Aaronovitch poured his heart and soul into writing the Rivers of London, as it conveys a story of a vengeful spirit that converts the people of London into mannequins to create violence and rebellion. Experience a merge of the fiction and detective genres as a wizard and inspector in one character tries to solve the supernatural crimes in the City. 

“On the plus side, there were no rioters in sight but on the minus side this was probably because everywhere I looked was on fire.”

Ben Aaronovitch, Rivers in London

7. Robert Asprin, 1946 – 2008

Robert Asprin became a published novelist in fantasy and science fiction novels when his first book, The Cold Cash War, was released in 1977. Although he temporarily stopped writing during the ’90s, Asprin could still produce stand-alone novels, such as The Duncan And Mallory series and Tmabu and the Bug Wars.

He became well-known in the literary world when he published the Myth Adventures series, with the first installment, Another Fine Myth. The storyline follows a cruel war between magicians and assassins, pushing the protagonist into the universe of devils and dragons to seek justice. If you loved Pratchett’s Discworld series, check out Asprin’s Myth Adventures. 

“To function efficiently, any group of people or employees must have faith in their leader.”

Robert Asprin, Another Fine Myth

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8. Robert Rankin, 1949 – Present

Dubbed by The Morning Star as The Master of Silliness and The Master of Far Fetched Fiction, Robert Rankin has published more than 30 novels in the fantasy and fiction genres. Most of his books are set in areas of London that become infested with ancient evils and alien conspiracies. 

Rankin entered the bestselling authors’ list when he published his 1999 book Snuff Fiction, which sold 18 million copies worldwide. The book pushes on the collapse of civilization and the parallel universe, demonstrated by humorous and bizarre imaginations and puns. Rankin’s other book recommendations are The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse and The Book of Ultimate Truths.

“Now, it’s a fact well known to those who know it well that prophets of doom only attain popularity when they get the drinks in all around.”

Robert Rankin, The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse

9. Eoin Colfer, 1965 – Present

Before Eoin Colfer became an author, he was a primary school teacher after he graduated from Dublin University. When he released his book Artemis Fowl, he reached a breakthrough and decided to leave his teaching career to be a full-time writer.

Since then, the book has been translated into 40 languages and sold over 25 million copies. It was also voted the Best Puffin Modern Classic of All Time, an award for inspiring children’s books. Artemis Fowl features a 12-year-old millionaire and a criminal mastermind who was taken by evil fairies. Meanwhile, Colfer’s latest release is Highfire, an adult fantasy novel about a dragon whose world is about to be torn apart as an armed law officer makes it his mission to kill him. If you like reading sci-fi books, you might want to explore our round-up of the best authors like octavia butler.

“I’m prudent, is all. It’s been awhile, and I’m the last dragon, so far as I know. The world can’t stand to lose me.”

Eoin Colfer, Highfire

10. Douglas Adams, 1952 – 2001

Adams is famous for his works in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. However, before the five books in the series were published and sold millions of copies worldwide, it was the first series on BBC radio with 12 parts. Their first deal with Simon Brett was only to produce a fiction comedy show on the radio. But, when it boomed, Adams decided to write novels about it.

The first installment of the series describes a hitchhiker’s guide who can help the protagonists figure out ways to live as the Earth is being demolished for a galactic freeway. The books soon became New York Times bestsellers and were adapted for television, comics, films, and theaters. When Adams died in 2001, Eoin Colfer decided to continue the story of his series and published the 6th book in 2009, entitled, And Another Thing.

“Isn’t it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?”

Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

11. Charlotte Brontë, 1816 – 1855

Charlotte Brontë is a 19th Century novelist famous for her literary talents, along with her sisters Emily and Anne. Her most famous work is Jane Eyre, based on her real-life experiences. Brontë and her three sisters were sent to Clergy Daughters School, and a typhoid outbreak sadly killed two of Brontë’s sisters.

The following novels of Brontë’s after her first publication in 1847 are The Professor, The Spell, Tales of Angria, and a dozen more books and manuscripts. Although most of her stories are based on realities, she twists the story to give her writings a taste of fantasy kingdoms ruled by violence and politics. She called her setting a “world below,” where she escapes to using her multiple characters. 

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.”

Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

12. A. Lee Martinez, 1973 – Present

A. L. Martinez was born in Texas and started writing when he was 18. In 2005, he published his first novel, Gil’s All Fright Diner, a fantasy horror book about a zombie apocalypse. Over his career, he wrote 13 novels with three different publishers. Despite being busy in his writing career, Martinez still manages to engage in the Chinese TV and film industry. 

Although he has written fewer novels than big-time novelists, Martinez still made his name in the Sci-Fi and fantasy genres. His well-known work, The Last Adventure of Constance Verity, features a female protagonist who protects the universe for 28 years. Most fiction novels focus more on magic and the underworld, but Martinez’s writing style incorporates the human desire to find a place where they truly belong. 

“Reality is like a fruitcake; pretty enough to look at but with all sorts of nasty things lurking just beneath the surface.”

A. Lee Martinez, Gil’s All Fright Diner

13. P.G. Wodehouse, 1881 – 1975

English author P.G Wodehouse is a renowned writer and humorist of the 20th century. He was awarded as a Knight of the British Empire during the New Year’s Honors List in 1975. Wodehouse is known for his 100 novels and 200 short stories, including Blandings Castle and Elsewhere.

His well-known book, The Inimitable Jeeves, was first published as short stories in magazines and later collected to make it into one novel. It is a combination of humor, comedy, and fantasy that capitalizes on the art of language. Other book recommendations from Goodreads are Summer Lightning and Wodehouse on Wodehouse.

“There is a point beyond which the human brain loses its kinship with the infinite and becomes a mere seething mass of deleterious passions.”

P.G. Wodehouse, Blanding Castle and Elsewhere

14. Brandon Sanderson, 1975 – Present

High fantasy and science fiction author Brandon Sanderson surprised the world in 2022 when he decided to raise funds to self-publish his four novels. He aimed to raise $1 million in 30 days but ended up with $15.4 million in 24 hours, making Kickstarter history! The four books are Tress of the Emerald Sea, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook For Surviving Medieval England, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, and The Sunlit Man.

Sanderson has also sold 20 million copies of his other novels, including Rhythm of War, which highlights human resistance as a powerful tool against enemy invasion. One of Sanderson’s New York Times bestselling books is The Lost Metal, a classic fiction story of destruction and realization rooted in protecting a territory. You might also enjoy these authors like Robin Hobb.

“I have begun searching for a pathway out of this conundrum by seeking the ideal person to act on my behalf. Someone who embodies both preservation and ruin. A sword, you might say, who can both protect and kill.”

Brandon Sanderson, Rhythm of War

15. J.R.R. Tolkien, 1892 – 1973

Tolkien spent most of his life teaching English and literature at the Universities of Leeds and Oxford University. He wrote fantasy stories mainly to entertain his four children, but the hobby was a worthy-publishing novel named The Hobbit. This book was published in 1937 and featured a hobbit who joined a quest for a dragon’s treasure. 

Seventeen years later, he crafted his masterpiece loved by the world, The Lord of the Rings, about a ring that must be destroyed so it can’t be used by a Dark Lord. Like Pratchett’s works, Tolkien’s works have magical creatures like elves, orcs, and dwarves. The novel series was also adapted for screenplays, now available for viewing on HBO and Netflix. Check out our list of the best authors like Tolkien for more.

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

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