Graham Taylor (author)

Graham Peter Taylor (born 1958 in Scarborough, North Yorkshire), pen-name G. P. Taylor, is the author of the best-selling novels "Shadowmancer" and "Wormwood". Before taking up writing full-time, he was an Anglican priest in the village of Cloughton, North Yorkshire. His works reflect his faith, carrying Christian messages like "The Chronicles of Narnia" of C.S. Lewis. He began to write his works to counter the increasing number of works, such as "Harry Potter" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", that he believed were encouraging children to investigate the occult. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/faith/2003/shadowmancer/index.shtml BBC - North Yorkshire Faith - Meet the vicar who's "Hotter than Potter" ] ] His works have also garnered some controversy however, because whilst Taylor has claimed to be "an authority on Wicca and paganism", his books have been considered offensive by some neopagans for describing them as being tricked by the Devil. [ [http://jollyblogger.typepad.com/jollyblogger/2004/06/shadowmancer_ho.html| Blog on the book] ] Taylor's works have also attacked the kabbalah, which he has also stated lead followers to the Devil. [http://www.dickstaub.com/culturewatch.php?record_id=698 Dick Staub: DS Interview - G.P. Taylor, Shadowmancer (Audio and Transcript) ] ]

Biography

Taylor grew up in Yorkshire, but moved to London in the 1970s where he worked in the music industry with such bands as The Stranglers, Sex Pistols, Elvis Costello and Adam and the Ants. He became involved in the occult, and lived a life that was, in his own words "into all sorts of weird and wonderful things and wasn’t leading a godly life" . It was then that he turned to Christianity, and he later became a vicar with the Church of England.

When Taylor completed the manuscript of his first book, "Shadowmancer", he opted to self-publish. The book was a great success as it quickly garnered a publishing deal with Faber and Faber in the UK and G. P. Putnam's Sons in the United States [Children's Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2007, A&C Black, p.139] for a further six novels. At this time he resigned as parish priest and moved to a private home some 3 miles from his former parish. His books have since been translated into forty-eight languages and optioned for the movies.

His second novel, "Wormwood", was nominated for the American book award known as The Quills. "Tersias" is his third novel and was published in the UK in 2005. In August 2006, Faber published a follow up to "Shadowmancer" entitled "The Curse of Salamander Street".

In October 2006, Taylor's first ever 'illustronovella', "The Tizzle Sisters & Erik" was released by Markosia. A mixture of prose and graphic novel, Taylor was joined on the book by fellow collaborators Tony Lee, Dan Boultwood, and "Harry Potter" artist Cliff Wright.

He also contributed text to a book on the Yorkshire coast by photographer Mark Denton.

Taylor has three children and currently resides in Scalby, North Yorkshire.

Bibliography

"half" sequels

* "Wormwood" (2004)
* "Tersias" (2005)

Shadowmancer

* "Shadowmancer" (2003)
* "" (2006)

Other Books

* The Tizzle Sister's and Erik (2006) UK Title / The Dopple Ganger Chronicles: The First Escape (2008) US Title
* Mariah Mundi - The Midas Box (2007)

References

* Lunden, Jeff. " [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1900481 "'Shadowmancer' Touted as 'Hotter than Potter'"] ", Morning Edition on National Public Radio. May 18, 2004. Retrieved October 6, 2005.
* Akwagyiram, Alexis. "Vicar's black magic works £3.5m deal", The Guardian. April 20, 2004.

External links

* [http://www.gptaylor.info GP Taylor's Official website]
* [http://www.shadowmancer.com Shadowmancer fansite]
* [http://www.tersias.com Official Tersias page]
* [http://www.tizzlesisters.co.uk Official Tizzle Sisters page]
* [http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/fool/116016735691311.htm An overview of Taylor and Tizzle Sisters]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/blast/writing/people/gp_taylor.shtml Interview with BBC Blast]
* [http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/highlights?articleid=3115718 Interview with the Yorkshire Post regarding this article]