Does Bujold's Paladin of Souls count as well? Sort of a border case, as Curse of Chalion has a male protagonist, and I'm not entirely sure where we draw the borderline of epic at.
Kristin Cashore's Graceling is 2008, but otherwise fits I think.
Jane Lindskold's Through Wolf's Eyes series (cannot remember the name of the first book.
Tanith Lee's Unicorn books & Wolf Tower series.
Darkover, if it's not science fiction.
Howl's Moving Castle?
Kristin Britain, Green Rider.
Lots of Mercedes Lackey.
Kate Elliot's Crown of Stars series has more than one main character, but the one we start with, who I think is the primary protagonist, is female.
I am finding it very damning that I'm not finding any male authors writing female protagonists, either.
Elizabeth Haydon's Symphony of Ages, which starts with Rhapsody.
no subject
Kristin Cashore's Graceling is 2008, but otherwise fits I think.
Jane Lindskold's Through Wolf's Eyes series (cannot remember the name of the first book.
Tanith Lee's Unicorn books & Wolf Tower series.
Darkover, if it's not science fiction.
Howl's Moving Castle?
Kristin Britain, Green Rider.
Lots of Mercedes Lackey.
Kate Elliot's Crown of Stars series has more than one main character, but the one we start with, who I think is the primary protagonist, is female.
I am finding it very damning that I'm not finding any male authors writing female protagonists, either.
Elizabeth Haydon's Symphony of Ages, which starts with Rhapsody.