Elizabeth Haydon
Template:Short description Template:Distinguish Template:Use mdy dates Template:Use American English Template:Infobox writer Elizabeth Haydon (born 1965)Template:Citation needed is an American fantasy author.<ref name=ithacan/> Her Symphony of Ages series contains two trilogies, a duology, and a final book, and begins with Rhapsody: Child of Blood (1999).<ref name=symphonyofages>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=macmillan/> Her other series, The Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme, is set in the same universe but serves as a historical prequel.<ref name=cauldroninterview/> Her most recent publication is The Weaver's Lament (2016).<ref name=cauldroninterview/>
Biography
Haydon is the daughter of an Air Force officer and moved around frequently as a child.<ref name=macmillan>Template:Cite web</ref> She attended Binghamton University.<ref name=ithacan>Template:Cite web</ref> Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Haydon worked in publishing for more than thirty years. Past roles include developmental editing and writing textbooks.<ref name=floatingisland2007>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=sffworld-2000int>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=ithacan/> Her experience in education support services inspired her to release a free supplemental curriculum for The Floating Island for teachers.<ref name=floatingisland2007/>
The royalties from both Rhapsody and Prophecy were donated to children's charities such as the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=sffworld-2000int/> Rhapsody was optioned in the late 1990s, and it was renewed in 2000, at which point at least one script draft had been finished. As of 2018, no further developments had been made.<ref name=cauldroninterview/><ref name=sffworld-2000int/>
The Symphony of Ages
The Symphony of Ages books series consists of the Rhapsody Trilogy, the two Middle Books, and, as of June 2015, The War of the Known World Trilogy. The third book in this trilogy, and thus the eighth in the Symphony of Ages series, was published in June 2015.<ref name=symphonyofages/>
The Rhapsody Trilogy
The Rhapsody Trilogy follows Rhapsody, a woman who uses true names and music as magic. An altercation with some henchmen puts her in the company of the giant Grunthor and the assassin Achmed the Snake, previously known simply as The Brother. The trio escape from the destruction of their society by using an ancient tree to move through space and time, and emerge 1,400 years later.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=rockisland>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=cauldroninterview>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Bridge/Middle Duology
Three years after Destiny, a war breaks out over a southern empire whose monarch has recently died. Meanwhile, an old enemy of Rhapsody's returns.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=cauldroninterview/>
The War of the Known World Trilogy
As a mysterious man arrives by sea, a convocation of dragons takes place elsewhere and a new council of war meets in Haguefort.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=cauldroninterview/>
Final chapter
Rhapsody is forced to choose between family and friends as a civil war approaches.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=cauldroninterview/>
The Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme
Charles Magnus Ven Polypheme comes from a large family of unadventurous shipbuilders. When he is offered the opportunity to oversee a test-run of a new ship, Ven is excited to have a chance to explore, but is soon attacked by pirates. Another ship rescues him and he joins their crew. He is chosen to accompany the captain to a near-utopia on a floating island and quickly finds himself entrenched in mystery, exploration, and murder. This trilogy takes place in the same universe as Symphony of Ages but follows Ven Polypheme, a historical figure in Rhapsody's time.<ref name=cauldroninterview/><ref name=floatingisland2007/><ref name=ogres>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite book
- The Star of the Sea (unreleased)