Deuce Richardson tipped me off that today, December 26, is Keith Taylor’s birthday (b. 1946).  So thanks, Deuce.

I know the name, but to my knowledge I’ve never read Mr. Taylor’s work.  Based on Deuce’s recommendation, I’ll be addressing that shortcoming.  I’ve got a copy of Bard II, but since I don’t have the first volume in that series, I’ve not read it. Taylor collaborated with Andrew J. Ouffut on two Cormac Mac Art novels in the early 1980’s.

A quick check of the ISFDB shows a number of short fiction titles, including one in Skelos #3, which I’ve not finished reading.  Taylor is from Australia, and has been nominated for multiple Ditmar Awards (the Australian equivalent of the Hugo), winning twice, once for the short story “Where Silence Rules” in 1982 and for the novel Bard III: The Wild Sea in 1987.

The series that looks intriguing is Kamos the Magician.  A collection of these stories is in print, although not in electronic format.  I’ll buy a copy once things settle and and report back.