Having just spent all of March reading reading science fiction books by female authors, I can now say that I have read and rated every woman-authored book on my SF shelves. You know what that means? A list! And since today’s attempt at a book haul failed to turn up any science fiction, it will remain complete for at least a few weeks.

A few quick notes about this section of my library. First of all, like all parts of my library it is incomplete. There are literally thousands of woman writing science fiction that, for one reason or another, I haven’t read. Or haven’t read yet. Secondly, I haven’t included any fiction shorter than a novella when establishing these scores, nor do editors of anthologies feature on this list, though I can think of a few I’d recommend. Perhaps in another article. Thirdly, where a book was written in collaboration with a non-female author, I have noted that in the list, as a good collaboration usually (but not always) makes it different to tell who wrote which sections.

Since my rating system is based purely on personal taste, you’re probably going to disagree with some of it. There are some relatively unknown authors near the top, and some very well-regarded authors nearer the bottom of the rankings. Even if an author scores poorly in my estimation, I’d still encourage readers to do their own research and find out for themselves what works and what doesn’t. This list isn’t here to tell you what to think. It’s here to tell you what I think. That’s how onions work.

Lastly, I am aware of some notable omissions from my list. It just means I haven’t had the opportunity to read them yet. If there’s an author you love who’s not on the list that you think I should read, tell me all about them in the comments. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and polite discussions. Anyway, let’s get to that list.

The format for this list is as follows:
Name (Average rating out of 5) (Number of books read if more than 1)

Mickey Zucker Reichert (5) (2 books)

Amanda Bridgeman (5)

Arkady Martine (4.67) (3 books)

Hao Jingfang (4.50) (2 books)

Mary Robinette Kowal (4.50) (1 book solo, 1 book as collaborator)

N. C. Scrimgeour (4) (3 books)

Kate Elliot (4)

Tamsyn Muir (4)

Suzanne Palmer (4)

Sheri S. Tepper (4)

A. Zaykova (4)

Nimue Brown (4) (as collaborator)

Amal El-Mohtar (4) (as collaborator)

Cherie Priest (3.80) (5 books)

Emma Newman (3.75) (4 books)

S. L. Viehl (3.50) (4 books)

Ann Leckie (3.50) (2 books)

Elizabeth Moon (3.21) (14 books)

C.L. Moore (3) (3 books solo, 1 book as collaborator)

J. S. Dewes (3) (2 books)

Linda Nagata (3) (2 books)

S. K. Dunstall (3)

Becky Chamber (3)

Essa Hansen (3)

Jean Johnson (3)

Marina J. Lostetter (3)

Susan R. Matthews (3)

Ardath Mayhar (3)

R. M. Meluch (3)

Jody Lynn Nye (3)

Megan E. O’Keefe (3)

Sam Stone (3)

Dianne Thornley (3)

Martha Wells (3)

Janet Asimov (3) (as collaborator)

Sharon Lee (3) (as collaborator)

Janci Patterson (3) (as collaborator)

Muriel Jaeger (2) (2 books)

Ursula K. LeGuin (2) (2 books)

Mary Shelley (2) (2 books)

Lois McMaster Bujold (2)

Kameron Hurley (2)

Julian May (2)

Elizabeth May & Laura Lam (2)

Vonda N. McIntyre (2)

Andre Norton (2)

Ada Palmer (2)

Kritika H. Rao (2)

Emily Tesh (2)

Simon Lang (2)

Kristine Smith (2)

Elizabeth Bear (1)

James Tiptree Jr. (1)

Janine Ellen Young (1)