after reading your post I realised that I hadn't added enough, so in a reverse meme trend I have added the following:

Sherlock Holmes

I love detective stories but this character is the King of them all.

Loreena McKennit

Can't get enough of her version of the Lady of Shallott among other things.

The Sisters of Mercy

because I haven't completely got over goth yet.

Roger Zelazy

Still one of my favourite authors, although by all accounts this is only because I haven't read the second Amber series.

Tori Amos

Because she is a genius and a feminist. Oh and her music is great too.