Elliott Perlman, Tim Winton and Nikki Gemmell have been included on a list of 'the 50 most important writers in the world' compiled by the editors of the French magazine LIRE. Dutch-born Michel Faber, who spent many years living in Australia, is also on the list.

The 50 authors come from five continents and most have only written a few novels, yet the editors of LIRE believe that all ‘suggest the beginnings of great work' and that ‘the list gives reason to be optimistic regarding the future of literature.'

To see the full list, click here.