Her Story
About Linda A.
Linda A. Malcor is a writer and folklorist whose decades-long career has centered on the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, alongside broader work in folklore, comparative mythology, and historical research. Her fascination with storytelling took root in childhood, eventually leading her away from an early interest in physics toward a degree in English, with minors in history and comparative literature, from Occidental College in 1984. She went on to earn a master's degree in Narrative and Celtic Studies in 1985 and a doctorate in Medieval Studies and Indo-European Comparative Mythology in 1991, both from UCLA, laying the scholarly foundation for a lifetime devoted to unraveling the historical roots of Arthurian legend.
Over the course of her career, Malcor has built a reputation as both a scholar and a working writer, contributing research to film and television productions and producing an extensive body of published work. Her landmark study, From Scythia to Camelot, co-written with Scott Littleton in 1994, has remained in print for decades and has been translated into multiple languages, cementing her standing in the field. She continued this scholarly partnership approach with John Matthews, co-authoring Artorius in 2023 and The Sword and the Stone, released in the UK in 2026. Beyond nonfiction, she is also the creator of the Dragonlords of Dumnonia fantasy series, which is currently in development as an animated television series, reflecting the breadth of her creative range across both academic and fictional storytelling.
Outside her writing career, Malcor serves as a tradition bearer for her family, preserving stories and recipes passed down through generations, and remains deeply engaged in her community through St. Mark Presbyterian Church, where she supports LGBTQ+ outreach and participates in the annual Pride March. A former PTA president and Girl Scout leader, she has long balanced her scholarly pursuits with mentorship and civic involvement, teaching, tutoring, and directing children's theater productions along the way. Guided by the belief that people and their stories matter, she continues to combine rigorous historical research with a genuine commitment to the communities she serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Linda A.
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to discipline: getting the seat of my pants into the seat of the chair. If you don't write anything, you can't publish or sell anything, so I treat writing like a regular job and keep producing material consistently.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Mentorship has shaped my professional development in significant ways. Professor Scott Littleton was especially influential during my academic career; he became both a mentor and a collaborator, and we eventually co-authored a book together. Another important relationship has been with Ken Ashity, a professor of comparative mythology who later became a publisher and has since published four of my novels. These experiences taught me the lasting value of relationships built on shared interests and mutual respect.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Connections matter more than simply applying for jobs. You get work by knowing people, so I always tell everyone I meet what I do, hand out business cards, and share information about what I've published. Sending work in blindly, without any personal connection, simply doesn't work.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I've become increasingly aware of how important accuracy is when presenting scholarly research. Modern technologies such as artificial intelligence can make information more accessible, but they can also spread inaccuracies. For researchers, writers, and readers alike, checking sources and understanding the original scholarship remains essential.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My professional life is only one part of who I am. Community involvement matters deeply to me, particularly through my work with St. Mark Presbyterian Church and its outreach efforts. I've been involved in initiatives supporting the LGBTQ+ community and look forward to participating in the Pride March in October, because I believe communities grow stronger when people show up for one another and create spaces where everyone feels respected. This same principle — that people and their stories matter — has guided my academic work throughout my career.
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