A short life of the author
Mercedes Lackey (born 1950) is one of the most prolific and consistently popular fantasy writers of the past four decades. Her Valdemar universe — centered on the kingdom of Valdemar and its Heralds, who bond psychically with magical horse-like beings called Companions — has generated over forty novels and shows no sign of ending. Lackey’s work is often undervalued by literary fantasy critics, but her readership is enormous, fiercely loyal, and culturally significant: she was one of the first mainstream fantasy authors to feature LGBTQ+ protagonists, and her books have been life-changing for generations of readers who saw themselves reflected in genre fiction for the first time.
Life and Career
Mercedes Ritchie Lackey was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1950. She studied biology at Purdue University and worked various jobs — including as a computer programmer and an artist’s model — before publishing her first novel, Arrows of the Queen (1987, DAW Books), the beginning of the Heralds of Valdemar series. The book introduced the core concept: young people “Chosen” by Companions (telepathic, horse-like beings) to serve as Heralds, protectors and judges of the kingdom. The combination of telepathic bonds, chosen-one narratives, and a world where justice and compassion are institutionalized values resonated deeply.
The Last Herald-Mage trilogy (1989–1990) — Magic’s Pawn, Magic’s Promise, Magic’s Price — was groundbreaking. Its protagonist, Vanyel Ashkevron, is gay, and his sexuality is treated as integral to his character rather than as a problem to be overcome. In 1989, this was radical for mainstream fantasy. Lackey received both praise and hate mail; the trilogy became one of the most important early works of LGBTQ+ fantasy fiction and remains beloved.
The Valdemar Universe and Beyond
Lackey has published Valdemar novels continuously since 1987, organized into multiple sub-series: the Heralds of Valdemar, the Mage Winds, the Mage Storms, the Collegium Chronicles, the Herald Spy, and others. The world-building is extensive — thousands of years of history, multiple nations, elaborate magical systems — and the series rewards long-term investment.
Outside Valdemar, Lackey has written the Elemental Masters series (retellings of fairy tales in Edwardian settings with elemental magic), the Bardic Voices series, the SERRAted Edge series (elves and race cars, co-written with Larry Dixon, her husband), the Dragon Jousters series, and numerous standalone novels and collaborations. Her total bibliography exceeds 140 books.
She has also edited anthologies set in her fictional worlds, inviting other writers to contribute stories — a practice that has helped build the Valdemar community.
Key Works
- Arrows of the Queen (1987)
- Magic’s Pawn (1989)
- The Black Gryphon (1994)
- The Elemental Masters series (2004–ongoing)
Collecting Lackey
Arrows of the Queen first edition (DAW Books, 1987, paperback original) is the key collectible — fine copies bring $30–$100, signed $75–$200. DAW paperback originals are inherently fragile and condition-sensitive. The Last Herald-Mage trilogy first editions (DAW, 1989–1990) are sought by LGBTQ+ fantasy collectors specifically. Lackey’s later hardcover editions (DAW) are more durable but also more common. She signs generously at conventions and has maintained an active convention presence. Specialty press editions are uncommon for Lackey’s work. The sheer volume of her output means that most individual titles are inexpensive, but complete first-edition runs of any sub-series are genuinely challenging to assemble in fine condition.