I'm surprised no one has mentioned Marion Zimmer Bradley and her Darkover series. Some of the best I've ever read. Also, Charles de Lint and Spider Robinson (whose wife, Jeanne, co-wrote with him and, alas, died from cancer two years ago & his dau. has just been diagnosed with it, too. His website has a passionate blog post about it all.)I highly recommend de Lint's CD Old Blue Truck, too, he'd be a good Mudcatter!

One of the novels I've written has a touch of esoteric magic in it. It's fourth down on my list to add to and edit. It grew out of a short story I wrote years ago. I do any fancy planning, etc....the idea comes, I start writing and the characters, etc. take shape.

I learned a LOT about writing fantasy fiction right here on Mudcat in our story threads! What fun!