Donald Barthelme is a well - known author of experimental short fiction. His works are known for their fragmented and postmodern style. For example, his stories often contain a mix of pop - culture references and absurdist elements.
Jorge Luis Borges is another great author in this genre. His short fictions are full of complex ideas and play with concepts like time, infinity, and identity. His use of labyrinthine structures and philosophical musings makes his work very experimental. For example, in 'The Garden of Forking Paths', he explores the idea of multiple realities through a convoluted narrative.
James Joyce is one. His work, like 'Ulysses', is highly experimental. It has a complex narrative structure and uses a stream - of - consciousness technique that dives deep into the characters' minds. Another is Virginia Woolf. Her novels such as 'Mrs. Dalloway' experiment with time and perspective, presenting the inner thoughts and experiences of the characters in a very unique way. And then there's Samuel Beckett. His works, like 'Waiting for Godot', are known for their minimalist and absurdist elements, which are very much part of modern experimental fiction.
Thomas Pynchon is another. His novels often contain complex historical allusions and experimental narrative techniques. In 'Mason & Dixon', he takes historical figures like Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon and weaves a complex, often absurdist story around their surveying of the Mason - Dixon line in colonial America.
There are several well - known authors in experimental fantasy fiction. China Miéville stands out with his unique and complex works. His books like 'Perdido Street Station' are full of experimental ideas in world - building, character creation, and plot development. Jeff VanderMeer is also notable. His 'Southern Reach' trilogy is extremely experimental, with a very strange and mysterious setting that defies traditional fantasy norms. Additionally, Ursula K. Le Guin in some of her later works also experimented with the genre, pushing the boundaries of what fantasy could be in terms of themes and narrative styles.
Virginia Woolf is also well - known in this area. Her stream - of - consciousness writing in books such as 'Mrs. Dalloway' is a form of experimental fiction. She delved deep into the characters' inner thoughts and presented them in a non - traditional narrative style. Another one is William S. Burroughs. His cut - up technique in works like 'Naked Lunch' is extremely experimental, where he would randomly cut up and rearrange text to create a new kind of narrative flow.
One of the well - known authors is William S. Burroughs. His works, like 'Naked Lunch', are highly experimental with a cut - up technique that disrupts the normal flow of narrative.
James Joyce is a well - known author in this regard. His work 'Ulysses' is highly experimental with its stream - of - consciousness narrative and complex language use.
One well - known publisher is Dalkey Archive Press. They have a long history of publishing experimental works that often push the boundaries of traditional narrative forms. Another is New Directions, which has been home to many avant - garde and experimental fiction writers over the years. And Semiotext(e) also publishes a lot of experimental fiction that combines different literary and cultural elements in unique ways.
Edgar Allan Poe is a well - known author of collected short fiction. His works are often dark and mysterious, exploring themes like death and the human psyche. Another is Anton Chekhov, whose short stories are known for their realistic portrayal of human nature and relationships.
George Saunders is a popular figure in contemporary short fiction. His stories are known for their unique blend of humor and poignant social commentary. He often uses surreal elements to tell stories about modern - day America.
Ernest Hemingway is a well - known author of modern short fiction. His stories, like 'The Snows of Kilimanjaro', are famous for their spare prose and exploration of themes such as mortality and masculinity.