These are some authors whose work I enjoy. You should check out their work:
Space Opera with a Twist
Nathan Lowell writes very character-driven space opera. It’s not the typical military SF. His stories are focused on showing character progression as a reward for competence. The conflict in his stories isn’t about big explosions or invasions. The appeal is watching someone get progressively better at their job while building genuine relationships. It’s comfort food: low stakes, high skill expression.
Stories with a Sense of Place
S.E. Reid writes stories that take place in the Pacific Northwest. It’s magical realism with a ghostly, spiritual ache. Ghosts might appear or something supernatural may stir, but the tone is more melancholy than frightening, for the most part.
