Most Underrated Author? Really!? Cool!!

A self-Google recently led me to an interview at SF Signal where those good folks were commenting that it was hard enough trying to keep up with all the new books by 'name' authors, let alone trying to discover something new and interesting. How, they wondered, do you find that 'underrated' author whose books you should be reading? For help, they turned to a panel of authors and editors and asked them this question:

Question: Which author, living or otherwise, do you believe deserves more recognition than they currently receive and why?

The wonderful Canadian author, Julie Czerneda, gave this as her surprising reply (well, it was surprising to me):

"I'm to pick just one? That's tough. In that case, I'll toss Douglas Smith into the hat. With every new story, the more impressed I am with his subtlety and vision. I've yet to read a work of his that wasn't beautifully written, but more than that, his stories resonate with a deep understanding of the human condition as well as a characteristic wry wonder. Reminds me of James Alan Gardner, actually. Stories you can't forget, even years later. Doug's published extensively, though only in short fiction to date, but I believe he's also working on a novel. Thank goodness! When that's published, it will be on my must-read pile for sure."

Thanks, Jules! Julie is the author of The Clan Chronicles, including Reap the Wild Wind and Riders of the Storm, and the editor of Misspelled, all from DAW Books.