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The other main world in which she writes is one very much like our own, but populated by elves, mages, vampires, and all manner of 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. Whilst 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, claiming the trouble escalated to the point where she and her husband received death threats and were forced to suspend their fandom activities.[1] However, she has recently began to attend conventions again, appearing in 2004 at Show-me-con in St. Louis, Missouri.
There is a Mercedes Lackey fan group on Usenet and many people would like to 'play' in her worlds, but as she keeps a tight hold on her copyrights, no published fanfiction is allowed outside of her authorized fanclub, the Queen's Own, so 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 is a protegee of Marion Zimmer Bradley, and got her start writing short stories in Bradley's story collections.
She and Larry Dixon also work in wildlife rehabilitation , especially with birds of prey. She often refers to her various parrots as her "feathered children".
Lackey has been active in the filking community.
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.
This set consists of the original trilogy, the very first Valdemar books published, and a prequel trilogy, the most recent.
These centre on the characters Skif (the first book) and the Weaponsmaster Alberich (second & third books), telling the stories of their not-entirely-voluntary enrolments as Heralds.
These centre on the character Talia, from her first encounter with the Heralds to becoming the Queen's Own Herald.