Raymond G. Taylor
Bio
Author living in Kent, England. Writer of short stories and poems in a wide range of genres, forms and styles. A non-fiction writer for 40+ years. Subjects include art, history, science, business, law, and the human condition.
Stories (663)
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Doorway to wherever
There was only one rule: don’t open the door. Playing in the garden as we did, it was a constant temptation. Miles started poking around with the padlock and I pulled a safety pin from my pocket, then waggled it around inside the lock until it clicked. Miles pulled the padlock away from the clasp and opened the door enough to squeeze through.
By Raymond G. Taylorabout a year ago in Horror
Raise a glass to
Cast you mind back to the year 1812. A year of turmoil, of strife, and war throughout Europe. Also the last time that the United States fought a war against Great Britain. The last time that a US Navy ship, USS Constitution, engaged an enemy of the hated Royal Navy of King George III (HMS Guerriere, among others). King George (German George, as he was known to many of his subjects) was a mad king who hardly spoke a word of English. A king whose English subjects fought against English-speaking citizens of New England and the seven other states of the then still-young American republic.
By Raymond G. Taylorabout a year ago in History
Doom's door
There was only one rule: don’t open the door. So of course I opened it. When I did, I found nothing behind the door. Nothing at all: literally nothing. Just a dark chasm, solid black. Blacker than black. A void of such immense proportions that I felt I was about to fall into it, through it, to be trapped by it, consumed by it, never to emerge.
By Raymond G. Taylorabout a year ago in Horror
Poetess
Little is known of the poetess, Sappho. No, let me try again. Little is known of THE POETESS (Sappho). By "The Poetess" I am referring to the ancient Greek poet from Eresos or Mytilene on the island of Lesbos. She was known, at that time in history and for centuries after, for her lyric poetry, written to be sung accompanied by music. I emphasize "The Poetess" because she was referred to as such by classic scholars of ancient Greece and Rome, in much the same way that Shakespeare is often referred to as The Bard. Although there is an argument that Robert Burns also deserves the title and may have been known as The Bard before the title was attributed to Shakespeare.
By Raymond G. Taylorabout a year ago in Poets
The King's Progress
Tomorrow (18 October 2024) King Charles and Queen Camilla visit the kingdom of Australia. The King is no stranger to this kingdom or its peoples, having visited on no less than 16 previous occasions. His first, as a young prince Charles in 1966, saw him spend two semesters at Timbertop boarding school in the mountains of the Australian state of Victoria. A time he described as “by far the best” experience of his education.
By Raymond G. Taylorabout a year ago in History
Nowt so queer
When I first heard about Queer British Art 1861-1967, the first such exhibition at Tate Britain in London, I was a little uneasy about the use of the term "queer." The word was not as current at the time of the exhibition in 2017 as it is now and, growing up in the 1960s and 70s, the term had always had a negative meaning to me. Tate made it clear at the time that they had consulted LGBTQ+ communities, who were supportive.
By Raymond G. Taylorabout a year ago in Pride
Sword of Avalon
Continued from part two: Spaemann, Morwenna, and the circle of friends, have gathered in Guildford Cathedral, with Spaemann arriving shortly after, wearing a robe of plain hessian. He has a sword, held by the cord tied around his waist. None recognized it as the Sword of Avalon.
By Raymond G. Taylorabout a year ago in Fiction
