Orson Scott Card is my most favorite author ever.

In college, I ran out of reading material over Christmas break and borrowed a friend’s copy of Ender’s Game. I was immediately hooked. Starting that day, every time I was in a bookstore, I checked the shelves for more Card books and I’ve never been disappointed. Card is a talented writer but I think even more importantly he’s a storyteller. Some authors write “literature” which may be academically interesting for some readers but, when I pickup a book, I’m looking for a story to capture me. It’s hard to describe but it’s like I sink into the story and I don’t come up for air until the last page. Fantasy, science fiction, modern fiction — all of the characters and stories feel real and true and right. I learn about myself and others.

As a voracious reader, I also like that Card writes series of books. Even though I’m disappointed when a book ends, I know that the possibility remains for the story to continue later. And I usually can’t wait for the paperback. Patience is a virtue that I lack.

I’ve also been known to give away copies of Ender’s Game to encourage others to read it. I must have bought at least ten copies. Now you can find Ender’s Game in the Children’s Section of bookstores but that wasn’t always true so I used to move copies over to the kids shelves. I’m a bit obsessed, no?

For a fantasy story set in modern day, try Magic Street. Short stories? Maps in a Mirror. Near future fiction? Empire. Historical fiction? Sarah.

Card also started an online magazine of short fiction (and some non-fiction) similar to the old magazines where many writers get their first start. Orson Scott Card’s Intergalactic Medicine Show publishes a few times a year and is well worth the $2.50 per issue. Some stories are free so give it a try and every issue has a story from the Ender Saga.

Is that all? Ha. Card writes a column Uncle Orson Reviews Everything for his local paper that is also published on his website Hatrack River. Plus he writes plays and screenplays and produces and I don’t even know what all.