Actress and Entrepreneur Ashley Eckstein, founder of fangirl fashion company Her Universe, announced in October 2015 that her company is launching a publishing arm that will focus on printing science fiction (Sci-Fi) and fantasy books from new and established female authors. Her Universe Press, as it has been called, partnered with Permuted Press, an industry-leading independent publisher of sci-fi, fantasy, post-apocalyptic and horror fiction.

Eckstein said that she came up with the idea to establish Her Universe Press after fans began submitting unsolicited manuscripts to her during fan meets and comic conventions.

"I'm convinced that Her Universe Press will receive a strong reception from this group of enthusiastic readers," Anthony Ziccardi, a publisher at Permuted Press, said.

There are already six books lined up for 2016, with two scheduled for release in spring and summer.

Still, there have been many great female writers who have made their mark in the science fiction and fantasy genre. While you're waiting for the new ones from Her Universe Press to come out, why don't you check out some of our favorite books by female authors or with strong female characters below:

Mary Shelley

Hands down, Mary Shelley is an excellent storyteller of monsters, humans and the monsters within humanity. "Frankenstein" was published anonymously at first because times were different in the 19th Century and female writers are not really given much attention but Shelley went on to prove that women also have fantastical stories to tell by becoming a part of the English Literary Canon.

Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula Le Guin wrote so many fantasy novels that are equally brilliant that it's really hard to choose which among them is the best. Le Guin has won a lot of awards for her fantasy stories including the Hugo Award, John Newbery Medal, Locus Award, Nebula Award, Prometheus Hall of Fame Award and World Fantasy Award. Her "Earthsea" fantasy series has been adapted both as an anime — and it was the legendary Hayao Miyazaki himself who wanted to do it — and as a live-action adaptation by the Sci-Fi Channel (now SyFy).

"Harry Potter" Septology By J.K. Rowling

No one can deny that J.K. Rowling created some of the strongest female characters in modern fiction. To name a few, you have Lily Potter, Professor Minerva McGonagall, Molly Weasley, Nymphadora Tonks, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood and, yes, even Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix LeStrange. Regardless of which side they were on, these female characters, among others, held their ground and never became a "damsel-in-distress" in the slightest. They never just relied on male characters; in fact, others seemed to rely more on them because they knew what they were capable of. Still, in spite of their independence, they remembered to care for others-although Bellatrix mostly cared about Lord Voldemort and Narcissa about Draco, it was still there and there's no doubt they would have done what Lily did for Harry too if it came to the people they cared about.

Katniss Everdeen From Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games" Trilogy

Katniss may have just volunteered herself as a tribute in the 74th Annual Hunger Games to take the place of her sister, Primrose, but she showed that she really deserved to win by the end. Katniss had a mind of her own, and despite the savage situation she was thrown into, she still knew when to give mercy and justice. She worked together with the male characters to further their mission and she was never just a background character and never a damsel-in-distress. She also never allowed herself to become a tool of the Capitol, playing along when it's necessary and defying them where she could.

Go on. Start reading in a new light.