Not a cartographer, though I did know one, once upon a time. I'm here mainly due to my interest in (need for) historical maps that can be modified to include elements of the fantastic.

That utilitarian bit out of the way, I do have to say that I share the deep fascination with maps with everyone else here. And am in awe of the artists who can create maps. If there's anything like true magic in this world, it is what visual artists do.

As for myself, I'm a medieval historian and computer tech who has retired from his day job (the computer tech thing) to spend as much time as he can writing. I've been writing my whole life, but it's been mostly academic history, with endless notebooks filled with notes and scenes. Now I'm set on writing actual stories. And have succeeded, in a small way.