Author
Tim Rayborn
Tim Rayborn is a writer and internationally acclaimed musician. He plays dozens of unusual instruments that many people of have never heard of and often can’t pronounce, including medieval instrument reconstructions and folk instruments from Northern Europe, the Balkans, and the Middle East.
He has appeared on over forty recordings, and his wanderings and tours have taken him across the US, all over Europe, to Canada and Australia, and to such romantic locations as Marrakech, Istanbul, Renaissance chateaux, medieval churches, and high school gymnasiums.
He has appeared on over forty recordings, and his wanderings and tours have taken him across the US, all over Europe, to Canada and Australia, and to such romantic locations as Marrakech, Istanbul, Renaissance chateaux, medieval churches, and high school gymnasiums.
Honorable Award
On the writing side of things, Tim lived in England for nearly seven years and has a PhD from the University of Leeds. He has written books and magazine articles about music, the arts, history, and business.
He currently resides in Northern California amid many books, antique music reproduction devices (that is, CDs), and instruments, and with a demanding cat. He’s also rather enthusiastic about good wines, single-malt Scotch, and cooking excellent food.
He currently resides in Northern California amid many books, antique music reproduction devices (that is, CDs), and instruments, and with a demanding cat. He’s also rather enthusiastic about good wines, single-malt Scotch, and cooking excellent food.
Honorable Award
New Arrivals
Books by Tim Rayborn
"Qwyrk, by Tim Rayborn, is, for starters, delightfully... quirky. Rayborn's ear for culture is as good as his ear for music, and his fantasy romp through a small British town has some of the same wacky flavor we find in the mythic send-ups written by Tom Holt/K.J. Parker. Rayborn's elves may be updated, but human nature remains the same. As Qwyrk herself tells Jilly, her kind visit our world 'To give children a little nudge when they need it... and sometimes remind adults of what they've been missing.' In times when we all need distraction, here is a tale to take your mind off your troubles for a while."
Diana L. PaxsonSword of Avalon
"It's a quest, it's a lark that romps through human and magical worlds alike, and it's a whimsical and delightful story set in Northern England. Qwyrk is engaging, endearing, and unpredictable in its human and magical relationships and conundrums. Fans of fantasy who enjoy magical realism injected into the everyday milieu of Britain will relish the nature of Qwyrk, first in a projected series of stories about misfits and the sometimes-hilarious mishaps that evolve from seemingly good intentions."
Donovan's Literary ServiceMidwest Book Review
"Bringing the familiar modern world together with the fantastic and mythical in a smart and witty way, Qwyrk is a delightful foray into magical realism. Fans of Pratchett, Gaiman, Beagle, and de Lint will absolutely feel at home in this story! Rayborn takes figures from traditional folklore and gives them a wonderfully fresh and believable update. You'll be hooked right away on both the human and magical characters - they're engaging and familiar in such a way that you simply must know what happens next. Strong and capable female characters, the challenges of negotiating magic in a world that's largely forgotten it, effective world-building, and a good dose of sarcasm all make this book such a fun read. I can't wait to read more about the further adventures of Qwyrk!"
Laura Tempest ZakroffSigil Witchery and Weave the Liminal