Hello to everyone at Cartographer's Guild! A confession: Although I've always been a surfer of this wonderful site, finally I'm proud to announce that I'm a member!

Since childhood, I've been practicing the odd hobby (at least according to my friends) of drawing fantasy maps; however, only lately have I created anything I would consider "realistic." My ongoing quest is to refine my skill using the constructive criticism from all you master cartographers, and one day build a conworld capable of deceiving a P.h.D. geologist. (I hope that's not too presumptuous of a goal.)

I have a website about the general practice of conworlding, which I launched three months ago. Just visit www.compellingconworlds.com if you are interested in seeing realistic worlds. My specialty or preference as a cartographer is--as you may have guessed--ultimate realism, so real that I factor in many scientific considerations, such as plate tectonics, insolation, atmospheric composition, and meteorology. Many features of my conworlds require calculus equations, such as deciding the dimensions of the different layers (i.e. iron core, silicate mantle) of a planet.

I'm going to be posting the better (of two) conworlds featured on my site in the appropriate forum right after this introduction is complete.

Other than that, I must mention that I absolutely love cats. They help me relax while I conworld!

Peter