The Bard's Tale computer game tie-in novelization series. Shepherd later followed it up with a solo sequel, Escape from Roksamur, reprising the adventures of his character Alaire. Blackrose Avenue Blackrose Avenue is Shepherd's 2001 standalone novel, set in a dystopic future wherein rebels struggle to free the country from the grip of a fanatic religious regime which has taken over. All those with HIV are put into concentration camps, according to the "Good Law." Music Mark Shepherd composed music inspired by his writing, including full soundtracks to Elvendude, Spiritride, and Laserwarz. Spiritride was released on cassette tape by Firebird Music. Blackrose Avenue, the CD is available via Yard Dog Press, publisher of the novel it accompanies. Appearances in other media Mark Shepherd has a brief cameo in Mercedes Lackey's novel Jinx High, as a student attending a creative writing class. He was also the inspiration for her character Vanyel Ashkevron from The Last Herald Mage trilogy. Bibliography Wheels of Fire (1992 ) (series: Serrated Edge vol 2) with Mercedes Lackey Prison of Souls (1993 ) (series: The Bard's Tale vol. 3) Elvendude (1994 ) (series: Serrated Edge) Escape from Roksamur (1997 ) (series: The Bard's Tale) Spiritride (1997 ) (series: Serrated Edge) Lazerwarz (1999 ) (series: Serrated Edge) Blackrose Avenue (2001) References External links Mark Shepherd — Baen Books Baen Books author page, with links to free sample chapters Mark Shepherd Fantastic Fiction author information for Mark Shepherd SPIRIT RIDE cassette Firebird Music catalogue page for Spiritride album Blackrose Avenue Yard Dog Press information page for Blackrose Avenue novel and CD soundtrack American fantasy writers American gay writers 2011 suicides American male novelists 1961 births