Musicians - Mercedes Lackey

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	Musicians - Mercedes Lackey

Mercedes Lackey (born June 24, 1950) (also known as Misty Lackey) is a prolific American author of fantasy novels. Many of her novels and trilogies are interlinked and set in the world of Velgarth, mostly in and around the country of Valdemar. Her Valdemar novels form a complex tapestry of interaction between human and non-human protagonists with many different cultures and social mores. There is a prominent theme of tolerance throughout, notably in the relative prominence of homosexual characters and the ethos of Valdemar: "There is no one, true way".

The other main world in which she writes is one much like our own, but also populated by elves, mages, vampires, and other mythical beings. Some of the interlocking series in this world are the Diana Tregarde thrillers, the "SERRAted Edge" books about racecar-driving elves, and the "Bedlam's Bard" books, characterizing a young man with the power to work incredible magics through music. While the SERRAted Edge and Bedlam's Bard series are still in progress, she has declined to write further Diana Tregarde stories because of low sales. Lackey received harassment from a small but determined number of fans over the decision. She claims that the trouble escalated to the point where she and her husband received death threats and were temporarily forced to suspend their fandom activities. She resumed attending conventions by 2004.

There is a Mercedes Lackey fan group on Usenet. She keeps a tight hold on her copyrights, and no published fanfiction is allowed outside of her authorized fanclub. The fanclub, the Queen's Own, is named after Herald Talia's position in her books.

Her earlier novels are all solo projects, but later volumes in the Valdemar saga are illustrated by her husband Larry Dixon, and in many of her latest works he is also credited as co-author.

She and her husband Larry Dixon have in the past worked in raptor rehabilitation. She often refers to her various parrots as her "feathered children". The afterwords to some of her books refer to rehabilitation and falconry, and it is clear that this interest has influenced and informed her writing.

Lackey has been active in the filking community. She was a major contributor to the first album of space filk, Minus Ten and Counting.

Related writers

Mercedes Lackey is a protegee of Marion Zimmer Bradley, and got her start writing short stories in Bradley's story collections.

In her use of female and homosexual protagonists, she is like Tanya Huff, although she lacks Huff's rather light tone.

Published works

Velgarth

Some of the trilogies follow on chronologically from each other. Others are set a considerable number of years apart from the others. Overall the books span some 3000 years of history. There is a significant gap in the middle which might some day be filled.

However Lackey has recently (October 2003) announced that she is taking a break from writing Velgarth books.

Heralds of Valdemar

This set consists of the original trilogy, the very first Valdemar books published, and a prequel trilogy, the most recent.

=Prequels===== These centre on the Weaponsmaster Alberich (in the first two books) and the thief Skif (in the third book), telling the stories of their not-entirely-voluntary enrolments as Heralds. #Exile's Honor #Exile's Valor #Take a Thief

=The original trilogy===== These centre on the character Talia, from her first encounter with the Heralds to becoming the Queen's Own Herald. #Arrows of the Queen #Arrow's Flight #Arrow's Fall

The Mage Winds

These follow on from the original Heralds of Valdemar trilogy, centering on Princess Elspeth completing her transformation from "the Brat" to a fully-fledged Herald. Secondary protagonists include Skif and a new character Darkwind. #Winds of Fate #Winds of Change #Winds of Fury

The Mage Storms

These follow on again, centering on the characters Karal and An'desha. #Storm Warning #Storm Rising #Storm Breaking

Darian's Tale

These take place some time later, centering on the character Darian. #Owlflight (ISBN 0-88677-754-2) #Owlsight (ISBN 0-88677-802-6) #Owlknight (ISBN 0-88677-851-4)

The Last Herald Mage

These occur some centuries before the Heralds of Valdemar books, telling the life story of Vanyel Ashkevron; by the time of the "later" books he has become legend, thus explaining some of the small inconsistencies. #Magic's Pawn (ISBN 0-61363-053-X) #Magic's Promise (ISBN 0-61363-055-6) #Magic's Price (ISBN 0-61363-054-8)

Vows and Honor

#The Oathbound (ISBN 0-88677-285-0), 1988 #Oathbreakers (ISBN 0-88677-319-9), 1989 #Oathblood (ISBN 0-88677-773-9), 1998

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