My favorite authors would have to be:
Louisa May Alcott and Jane Austen (as my classic authors)
Jane Green ("Jemima J" is my favorite book ever. It's really inspirational, and funny, and cute. All you ladies out there should give it a try)
Marian Keyes ("Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married" and "Last Chance Salon" are great)
Gregory Maguire (author of "Wicked", "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister", "Lost", and "Mirror, Mirror")
Nicholas Sparks
Sophie Kinesella (author of the Shopaholic books)