Schmidt, Dennis (Dennis A.)

found: Encycl. of Science Fiction (online), viewed July 30, 2014Schmidt, Dennis (1939-2003) US writer who restricted himself almost exclusively to series during his short active career; although he began publishing work of genre interest with "Seeker of the Way" for Galaxy in Oct. 1976, the tale was a prelude to the three volumes of the Kensho sequence--Way-Farer (1978), Kensho (1979), Satori (1981) and Wanderer (1985)--which features a protagonist who combines Zen and martial arts in agreeably complex Space-Opera adventures. The Twilight of the Gods sequence beginning with Twilight of the Gods: The First Name (1985), is fantasy, and is likewise conceived with well orchestrated complexity. The Questioner Trilogy--Labyrinth (1989), City of Crystal Shadow (1990) and Dark Paradise (1990)--returns to intergalactic space, where the operations of a peacekeeping force are featured. Schmidt gave some impression of being an author who might at any point decide to break through into higher regions of his art; but stopped publishing)