Jay Erickson

I am a very visual person. Though I love novels dearly, I grew up as a child with movies like Willow, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones. As such I've always found myself enthralled with a good movie poster. One that shows the heroes, the villains, and some action. Whenever I think of a cover, I start with that poster, and then whittle it down to something a little less Hollywood, but not quite traditional novel.

1.) Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind
2.) Prey by Michael Crichton
3.) The Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn
4.) Dune by Frank Herbert
5.) Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

Now I know what you're thinking. For a fantasy writer there's not much fantasy in there. Truth is, I've always loved Science Fiction, over dragons and magic. I just seem drawn to writing Fantasy better.
What I love about Wizard's First Rule is that Goodkind doesn't coddle you. He introduces you to a dark world with unique and engaging characters. He's not afraid to do dark things in a fantasy novel. Touch on taboo areas. Granted many authors have done this for years, but I like Goodkind's style. There is an underlining narrative even when terrible things are happening. Very skillfully done.
Crichton is probably my favorite writer of all time. Though his work can sometimes start out difficult to read, there was a genius to him and his work. I choose Prey from all his other works just because of how damn scary things could be if Nanotechnology became self-aware. Crichton addresses very real concerns, with startling facts and applicable science. His level of detail and research before every novel was without peer. He did all of this while weaving an engaging tale, and how he did it I have no idea. It's mind-boggling.
Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy will always have a special place in my heart no matter what happens to the Star Wars canon in the future. Though there have been many writers who have tried to tackle the SW Expanded Universe, none captured the essence of the original trilogy quite like Zahn did. His story, his flow, his characters, they all felt authentic to the universe. His character, Mara Jade, is my favorite SW character to this day.
There's not much to say about Dune that you haven't read/heard a million times before. It's riveting and groundbreaking for its time. Herbert's character depth is phenomenal, and his warfare and politics have always been highly entertaining.
Dan Brown is another writer that dives into research. Of his Robert Langdon series I like Angels and Demons the best. Probably because I'm a fan of the Renaissance, and of the Illuminati. But also his usage of real locations, real historical data, and real architecture and art. The way he twists facts into a gripping and tense thriller is the true mark of a great story teller.