[Backgammon]

Raymond Chandler. When I write, I ask myself if I made it Raymond Chandler enough. I have my own style and my own introspections so I'm not afraid of cloning his work, but he is my idol when it comes to writing.

I love Lovecraft for his ideas, and a little for his writing vocabulary, but dear god, he cannot write dialogue. Comes from his personal lack of expertise on the matter, I understand.

A vote for Richard Morgan as well.

I also have to gives special thanks to Stephen King. I have not read any of his books, except for a single one: "On Writing". Changed everything for me.

[ChewyGranola]

Patrick Rothfuss, Neil Gaiman, Jim Butcher, Richard Matheson, Devon Monk, J.K. Rowling (go ahead and judge )...those are the authors that pop up in my head first.

[MijRai]

Michael Moorcock, Glen Cook, Jim Butcher, Brandon Sanderson, Andrzej Sapkowski, Terry Pratchett, Patrick Rothfuss, Robert Jordan, Margaret Weis, Dan Abnett, D.M. Cornish, Robert Heinlein, Lev Grossman... Not in that order. 

[Herohades]

Robert Jordan, J.R.R. Tolkien, George R.R. Martin, R.A. Salvatore, and Brandon Sanderson are my favorites.