Have run out of sci-fi authors to read and need to find some new ones. To give you an idea of what I like I have listed my top three favourites authors and my bottom 3 (can't say authors - never read any of them!).

Iain M Banks (this man can't write fast enough for me)
Vernor Vinge
Ben Bova

Would rather start a bonfire with
Any Star Trek novels
Any Doctor Who novels
Anything with romance in it (its sci-fi!)

I like:
Neal Asher
Peter F Hamilton
Richard Morgan
Alastair Reynolds
Adam Roberts
Dan Simmons
Charles Stross

Don't know about Ben Bova, so that's a suggestion for me to try...

Try Barriers by gs gates.....

Asimov, the Grandfather of science fiction. Start with the Foundation, if you like it there are dozens of books spanning modern day to distant future.

Starhammer by Christopher Rowley

Jackie, your post says you're looking for new sci-fi authors. My first book Passengers to Sentience was published at the end of July, so pretty new.

The review of it on thebookbag website says "If this type of book appeals to you then we think that you might enjoy 'Matter' by Iain M. Banks", so it may appeal to you, as he is at the top of your list of authors.

If you click on my name in this post and go to my profile, you'll find my website where you can read a sample chapter and there are links to the publisher's website where there are more excerpts to look at to help you decide if you like it. There are also links to even more enthusiastic reviews by the publisher and the editor at sciencefictionandfantasy.co.uk (none of the reviewers are people I know personally).

Try British author John C.Mawson's latest offering Ringturn Ringturn it has believable science coupled with a fast moving action packed story. I don't know how old you are Jackie but the work is aimed primarially at Young Adult market. A real pot boiler. Best of luck

As D.Davies says "Asimov" but also the rest of the original greats: Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, Silverberg, etc. Just Google for top SciFi authors.

If you like sci fi blended with a little horror try Black Light by Christian Tremain, its like stephen king does The Matrix, its a hefty read for the cash about inter-dimensional entities exploiting mankind through their dreams. Appeals to people into Asher and Reynolds and Hamilton.

Just read a couple of Arthur C Clarke's older novels and enjoyed both immensely.
Recommend Rendevous with Rama and Fountains of Paradise if you have not read them. What makes Clarke's stories really work for me is the plausibility he gives to the science and physics without sounding like a quantum physics manual and the sheer sense of wonder and discovery (especially in Rendevous, superb book) and not a photon torpedo or laser blaster in sight!

Going back to your request... NEW science fiction authors, I think you mentioned... While it's great that we have such a rich history in this genre, I would sometimes like to get through a thread without someone trotting out - yet AGAIN - Heinlein, Asimov, Clarke, Dick... etc...

Try The GoneAway World by Nick Harkaway - truly brilliant & off the wall. Liz Williams 'Winterstrike' - densely written, atmospheric & action-packed. Anything by Robert J. Sawyer is thought provoking (FlashForward is loosely based on one of his books). 'Horizon' by Mary Rosenblum is a cracking read if you like fast-paced, intelligent space opera, ditto, 'Dabatable Space' by Philip Palmer. And I completely endorse all of Anthony Goreham's suggestions - all skilful, interesting authors, altho' Richard Morgan does come with a health warning - the sex & language is very explicit...

Maybe try something stretchingly different: Science fantasy Karen Miller (here SF = Speculative fantasy), Nancy Kress, Julian May, Stephen Donaldson (an icon!), and "The War of Powers"

Thanks for all the responses. Young adulthood is long gone, unfortunately. I have read most of the older sci-fi authors, Heinlen, Asimov, Clarke, etc. but there are a good few new suggestions here and I will work my way through them all. Thanks.

AUTHOR My Favourite (s)
David Weber: The Apocalyps Troll & On Basilisk Station
Eric Flint/ K D Wentworth: The Course of Empire
Robert Heinlein: The day after tomorrow
Anne Macaffrey: Restoree
David Drake: With the Lightnings
Issac Asimov: Caves of Steel
Marrion Zimmer Bradley: Hawkmistress
Timothy Zarn: Conqureor's Legacy
Lois McMaster Bujold: Cordelia's Honour
Elizabeth Moon: Once a Hero
John Ringo: Yellow eyes

I'll be cheeky and suggest you try my book.

Child of the Hive

Otherwise, I think Elizabeth Moon's Speed of Dark is fantastic. It's very near-future and not at all aliens and spaceships, but a really interesting book.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is a sci-fi staple and I think a brilliant book.

I haven't read any Vernor Vinge, but given you like Iain Banks, have you tried Jon Courtenay Grimwood? The Arabesk Trilogy is very good and I also enjoyed Stamping on Butterflies. They are not really new, but at least they were written this Century.

Psyvolution
Try this - Im working on the sequel - should be out some time next year

Okay, well, this is blatant self-promotion, but might I suggest Troglodyte Rose? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Troglodyte-Rose-Adam-Lowe/dp/0956257720/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258039233&sr=1-1

The novel follows a young woman who lives underground in a strange city full of cannibalism, flying monster-police and harsh imperial troops. She spends her time hacking ancient virtual reality games, trying experimental drugs and committing petty crime, until she discovers the Haze: a substance which allows her to bend reality with her will. On her journey, she travels to strange, exotic worlds, culminating in a floating casino-world where the very body itself is up for play. She, with a ragtag bunch of artists and dissidents, must concoct a plan to overthrow the Hegemon and break above ground to see the sun.

There's some teaser info at http://www.troglodyterose.com and the limited edition hardback is available via Amazon Marketplace or at http://www.adam-lowe.com under 'Shop'. There will be a massmarket paperback available with worldwide distribution in spring.

Everyone should read the 'Gateway' four books by Fredrick Pohl

Hey everyone !
Bringing Forth the End of Days has recently recieved many good reviews from 'The Book Bag', 'LoveReading', 'Bizarre Magazine' and a few others too.

The book is an apocalyptic sci-fi thriller set in 2023 and deals with the aftermath of a world wide nuclear war. I've been tolds it's a very original concept and a very different take on the classic apocalypse scenarios.

Check out my website if you would like to read the reviews for yourself.

www.Bringingforththeendofdays.webs.com

If you would like a chance to read my novel for yourself, then please contact me through my website and ask me for a FREE EBOOK CD, and give me your name and address to send it to.

Enjoy

Earth 2 - In The Beginning. The End

Shame about the romance. It isn't strickly a ronce, but it does follow the lives of people brought together by fate.
See more at http:/homepage.ntlworld.com/anthonydugmore/

Regards
Anthony

Sounds like you're in the same boat as me. Its a long wait between Iain M Banks books. Have you tried Greg Bear? His stories about Thistledown and The Way do stop the itch.(Almost). As far as know he's still at it, so that counts. As to the oldies have you tried Stanislaw Lem. Excluding solaris, he can be v entertaining.

If you like Banks, then the most similar would be in Anthony Goreham's list, which I can highly recommend.
Neal Asher, for a similar take on AI's and drones, but given his own twist..
Richard Morgan does near future SF, with enough action to wet the appetite.
Alistair Reynolds is superb, hard science fiction at its finest; an immensely good story teller.
Peter Hamilton does write huge doorstops, but full of ideas and great fun. His most recent are very good indeed.

I hate to mention it, but all the above are British authors. If there are US ones producing stuff in a similar vein, I would love to know. US SF seems heavily dominated by Star Trek, Warhammer, Star Wars tie ins as the original poster noted. I do rate Dan Simmons, though, his scifi stuff is also good.

Could try
Orson Scott Card - especially Enders Game and Speaker for the Dead
C.J.Cherryh - Foreigner series and I liked her merchant war series especially heavy time.

If you liked Ben Bova's 'Orion series. Then I'd agree with Mike G and Enders game, Treason by the same author is of the same quality. If you have the time to find it. Radix by A. A. Attanasio is a fantastic unwilling hero book, however as stated it is damn hard to find.