- Danny Birt
-
Not to be confused with Daniel Birt.
Danny Birt is an American-born Music Therapist and Massage Therapist, but is more widely known as an award-winning author of science fiction and fantasy literary works, and as a composer and performer of filk and other music.
Contents
Background
Danny Birt was born and raised in the western half of the United States.[1] He attended high school and junior college at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, NM, Loyola University New Orleans for his bachelor’s degrees, and Shenandoah University for his master’s degree.[1] Birt is a medical professional in the fields of Music Therapy and Massage Therapy.[2]
Today, Birt is most widely known for his published science fiction and fantasy works, and his published instrumental and parody music. Birt is invited frequently [3] to appear at renaissance festivals and to be a panelist at literary science fiction and fantasy conventions, where he commonly gives live musical performances.
Literary Works and Bibliography
Stand-Alone Literary Novels
Between a Roc and a Hard Place (Toybox Books, November 2010) is a children’s/YA chapter book about a baby dragon who is abandoned as an egg and is raised by a family of birds (Rocs).[4][5] The book’s cover art and illustrations are by Swedish artist Richard Svensson.[6]
Between a Roc and a Hard Place has been recognized with the following awards:
- The National Parenting Center’s 2010 Seal of Approval [7]
- Creative Child Magazine’s 2010 Seal of Excellence [8]
- Named one of Dr. Toy’s Best Picks of 2010 [9]
The book has been praised by some reviewers for its take on such diverse themes as adoption[10] and environmentalism,[11] but has been criticized by other reviewers as having too advanced a vocabulary for younger readers,[12] yet being too short a story for older readers.[12]
Short Stories
“Stealing the Sky” in the anthology Tales of Fortannis (Double Dragon Publishing, forthcoming)
"What Does Luck Taste Like?" in the anthology Time in a Bottle (Altered Dimensions, 2010)
"Booty Haul" in the anthology Rum and Runestones (Dragon Moon Press, 2010)
"A Spell of Bad Weather" in Realms Magazine (Black Matrix Publishing, 2009)
"Murphy the Android and His Law" in Abandoned Towers Magazine (Cyberwizard Productions, 2008)
Literary Series
The Laurian Pentology is projected to be a five-book collegiate-level epic fantasy series. As of March 2011, the series includes:
- Ending an Ending: First Book of the Laurian Pentology (Ancient Tomes Press, 2008)
- Beginning: Second Book of the Laurian Pentology (Ancient Tomes Press, 2009)
- Beginning an Ending: Third Book of the Laurian Pentology (Ancient Tomes Press, 2010)
Musical Works
In addition to having a master’s degree in music therapy and being certified as a Music Therapist, Birt is a published composer, and is a frequent live performer of filk music at American science fiction and fantasy conventions.[3] Birt was the coordinator of the Filk/Music programming track for the 2010 North American Science Fiction Convention.[13]
Some of the songs from Birt’s 2007 album Warped Children’s Songs have been featured on local and national radio programs such as The Dr. Demento show,[14] and on internet comedy music sites such as The FuMP.[15]
Discography
Narcoleptic Pianist (Somnifacient Records, 2002) – an hour-long nonstop piano solo written for insomniacs.[16]
Warped Children’s Songs (Somnifacient Records, 2007) – parodies of children’s songs.[16]
Piano Petrissage (Somnifacient Records, 2010) – an hour-plus nonstop piano solo composed and arranged for play during massage therapy sessions, yoga sessions, and meditation.[16]
References
- ^ a b [1], http://www.dannybirt.com/bio.html
- ^ [2], “Danny Birt, Renaissance Man”
- ^ a b [3], www.dannybirt.com/calendar.html?showcal=past
- ^ [“Reading is Fun-to-Hudson’s.” (Oct.-Nov. 2010 ed.) Hudson’s Childrenswear Review, p. 22.]
- ^ [4], http://www.librarything.com/author/birtdanny
- ^ [5], www.goodreads.com/author/show/3444609.Richard_Svensson
- ^ [6], http://www.tnpc.com/search/tnpcarticle2.asp?rec=6919
- ^ [7], http://www.creativechild.com/toy-guide/books/fiction_books_for_kids/between-a-roc-and-a-hard-place-
- ^ [8], http://www.drtoy.com/awards/product.php?ProductID=6918
- ^ [9], “Local Books Make Great Stocking Stuffers”
- ^ [10], http://darkcargo.com/2011/03/10/between-a-roc-and-a-hard-place-danny-birt-a-reveiw/
- ^ a b [11], www.librarything.com/work/10457202/reviews/68060641
- ^ [12], http://www.reconstructionsf.org/?page_id=59
- ^ [13], http://www.themadmusicarchive.com/artist_details.aspx?ArtistID=7035
- ^ [14], http://www.thefump.com/search_sideshow.php
- ^ a b c [15], http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/DannyBirt
External links
Categories:- Living people
- Music therapists
- Masseurs
- American science fiction writers
- American fantasy writers
- American singer-songwriters
- Filkers
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