Others have suggested some very good counterexamples. David Brin is another. He's won the Hugo, Nebula and several other awards. Startide Rising is worth a r

Others have suggested some very good counterexamples. David Brin is another. He's won the Hugo, Nebula and several other awards. Startide Rising is worth a read. You know an author is good when he can turn genetically altered dolphins and apes into compelling, realistic characters.