Welcome to my Writing Desk!
This is where you’ll find updates on my writing research and current WIPs
You can find my publications here and reading guide below ⬇️
Carmilla: Week 9
IX. The Doctor As Carmilla would not hear of an attendant sleeping in her room, my father arranged that a servant should sleep outside her door, so that she would not attempt to make another such excursion without being arrested at her own door. That night passed quietly; and next morning early, the doctor, whom…
Carmilla: Week 8
VIII. Search At sight of the room, perfectly undisturbed except for our violent entrance, we began to cool a little, and soon recovered our senses sufficiently to dismiss the men. It had struck Mademoiselle that possibly Carmilla had been wakened by the uproar at her door, and in her first panic had jumped from her…
HWA Halloween Haunts blog
I contributed to the Horror Writers Association “Halloween Haunts” blog celebrating horror authors this spooky season. Check out my “Halloween Haunts blog post” on the inspiration behind my Australian gothic horror novella Bluebells (In the Devil’s Garden, # 1) and the historic town of Berrima, Australia.
Carmilla: Week 7
VII. Descending It would be vain my attempting to tell you the horror with which, even now, I recall the occurrence of that night. It was no such transitory terror as a dream leaves behind it. It seemed to deepen by time, and communicated itself to the room and the very furniture that had encompassed…
2024 Australian Ditmar Awards
The 2024 Ditmar Awards were announced in Canberra on 5 October at Conflux 19, the Australian National SF Convention with nominees listed here. And the winners are…. Best Novel Best Novella or Novelette Best Short Story Best Collected Work Best Artwork Best Fan Writer Best Fan Artist Best Fan Publication in Any Medium Best New…
2025 Favourite Reads…so far
This year has been a whirlwind of amazing books by established voices and incredible works from new authors. Enter Shepard to save the day! readers 👉🏻 I’ve read 63 books so far this year but wantrd to share my favourite ones so far which have had the greatest impact on me. Writers 👉🏻 Shepherd are…
Carmilla: Week 6
VI. A Very Strange Agony When we got into the drawing room, and had sat down to our coffee and chocolate, although Carmilla did not take any, she seemed quite herself again, and Madame, and Mademoiselle De Lafontaine, joined us, and made a little card party, in the course of which papa came in for…
Carmilla: Week 5
V. A Wonderful Likeness This evening there arrived from Gratz the grave, dark-faced son of the picture cleaner, with a horse and cart laden with two large packing cases, having many pictures in each. It was a journey of ten leagues, and whenever a messenger arrived at the schloss from our little capital of Gratz,…
Carmilla: Week 4
IV. Her Habits—A Saunter I told you that I was charmed with her in most particulars. There were some that did not please me so well. She was above the middle height of women. I shall begin by describing her. She was slender, and wonderfully graceful. Except that her movements were languid—very languid—indeed, there was…
New Book Release
I am super excited to announce this 6 October 2025, I can welcome Loki, Untangling A Tale into the fiction mythos. A dark fantasy Norse myth retelling follows how Loki changes throughout the myths. From brother, scapegoat to rebellious, Loki is a Trickster figure of enduring fascination! Available from all good bookstores and here
Slavic Folklore: Domovoj
A domovik (also called domovoj, domovoy) is from Slavic folklore and is a household spirit residing in every home. The domovik traditionally is bonded to the ancestral founder of the family and moves with them from household to household. A domovoj is typically portrayed as small old man with a gray beard. The household refer…
Carmilla: Week 3
III. We Compare Notes We followed the cortege with our eyes until it was swiftly lost to sight in the misty wood; and the very sound of the hoofs and the wheels died away in the silent night air. Nothing remained to assure us that the adventure had not been an illusion of a moment but the…
Carmilla: Week 2
Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu I. An Early Fright In Styria, we, though by no means magnificent people, inhabit a castle, or schloss. A small income, in that part of the world, goes a great way. Eight or nine hundred a year does wonders. Scantily enough ours would have answered among wealthy people at home.…
Avoiding Vampire Creation
Vampires, Burial and Death by Paul Barber includes a chapter which has been part of my current research rabbit-holes. This chapter looks at the various methods of body disposal and the cultural beliefs surrounding death and corpses particularly to the prevention of creating vampires or revenants. A summary of the relevant points: Summary The importance…
Carmilla: Week 1
To celebrate the approaching Spooky Season and coinciding with my deep dive research into vampires, I’ll share a chapter each week from the classic book Carmilla By Sheridan Le Fanu Prologue Upon a paper attached to the Narrative which follows, Doctor Hesselius has written a rather elaborate note, which he accompanies with a reference to…
Reviewer Hack!
Do you prefer to read ebooks? I do because I love reading so many different books at a time and my Kindle is my portable library. But if you also like to do reviews and you’ve been given an electronic ARC version? You want to support the authors you’re reviewing for or judging but I…
Why ebooks? Accessibility!
I read ebooks and I’ve enjoyed the switch. Of course many textbooks are more affordable and conversely, sometimes research tomes are better suited to the physical shelf. So, why do I prefer ebooks (and Kindle preference here) is the light-weight tablets and easier physical reading process. As part of my disability, I often get cramped…
Coming Soon! Australian Gothic Horror
I am very excited to announce that my Australian historical gothic horror The Devil in the Loch Ard Gorge is coming 2027 from Meerkat Press! Like your historical gothic dark? A little twisted? A Faustian bargain and oceans deep? Then you’ll love this short work coming in 2027: Details: https://meerkatpress.com/coming-2027-the-devil-in-the-loch-ard-gorge-by-leanbh-pearson/?
Irish Myth: Tuatha Dé Danann
In the mythic Otherworld of Irish Gaelic folklore, the Tuatha Dé Danann are a powerful race, often described as semi-divine beings possessing extraordinary skills in magic and warfare. According to the tales and legends, they arrived in Ireland in a mist and introduced significant shift in culture and mystical knowledge. These gods and goddesses are…
Fox Folklore
FOX IN MYTHOLOGY: Many cultures around the world depict the fox in their myths and lore extensively. In Mesopotamian mythology of the early centuries, you will note how everyone regarded the fox as a sacred animal that belongs to the Goddess Ninhursag. The fox was her loyal messenger. FOX IN FOLKLORE: The Finnish Mythology, for…
New Release: Bluebells
The first novella In the Devils Garden trilogy, Bluebells, is available for order from PS Publishing! There are gorgeous deluxe hardbacks, special signed hardbacks with trade paperbacks and ebooks available soon. Order here Want to know more about Bluebells? Check out the description here If you’re interested in the ‘behind the scenes’ of writing In…
Victorian Queer & Female Doctors
My next work in progress blends magical realism with inspiration from Victorian era history. I’ve been delving into the Victorian era worlds of natural sciences, Medicine and anatomy, chemistry and botany, journalism, arts, music and literature. This WIP will be an alternate history, melding Fae folklore and marginalised individuals in a new gothic gaslamp series.…
Norse Myth: Tyr
Tyr ( Old Norse Týr) is a Norse war god. Tyr’s was one of the principal war gods of the Norse mythology alongside with Odin and Thor. In one of the poems from the Poetic Edda, Sigrdrífumál, the valkyrie Sigrdrifa instructs the human hero Sigurd to invoke Tyr for victory in battle. In the Eddic…
The Girl with No hands
– The Handless Maiden, by Denise Grobbelaar Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm (1812 Version) A miller, who was so poor that he had nothing more than his mill and a large apple tree which stood behind it, went into the forest to gather wood. There he was approached by an old man, who said, “Why do you…
Pride Anthology Update
I am pleased to announce that the Australasian Pride Anthology Rebels and Rainbows to be published by Deadset Press is going ahead. I’m excited to be co-editing this anthology to include LGBTQI, gender identities and ally authors from Australia and New Zealand to celebrate our diversity, community and continue to have our voices heard. Watch…
Cover Real: Loki Novel
I am very excited to real the cover for my first novel Loki: Untangling A Tale published by IFWG Publishing and releasing worldwide in May 2025! Want to know more? You can read announcement here From the description: What if you were born a monster? Deformed and shunned by your race? What if you could…
Black History Month Reads
Black History Month (1 February – 1 March) recognises and celebrates the struggles and vibrancy of African-American authors. Some of the issues tackled in the books I’ve read or currently reading include the slave trade, war, refugees, social inequality and marginalisation. So check out all these amazing books from gothic horror, speculative fiction, dark academia,…
BSFA Awards Longlists
Excited to annouce my collection Three Curses & Other Dark Tales and edited anthology Cursed Shards are both longlisted for the 2024 British Science Fiction Association Awards! Here’s the longlisted works for 2024 BSFA Awards: https://www.bsfa.co.uk/bsfa-awards-longlist Great to see so many Australasian authors across all categories too! Cursed Shards is published by IFWG Publishing International…
Urban Legend: Amazon Vampire
Urban legends are strange folklore borne from rumour, fascination and eventually, legend. That’s what seems to be the case with the urban legend surrounding ‘Camille Monfort’ or the “Amazon Vampire,” where this striking female figure became a legend in 1896 in Belém, Brazil. In the late Victorian era, Brazil was popularised from the rubber trade…
My Fav 3 Reads 2024!
You can check out my top 3 favourite reads for 2024 here on Shepherd.com 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣ 💕📚 You can see more of books that inspire me here 📚⬇️
New Release: Haunting Anthology
In time for Halloween reading The Black Beacon Book of Ghosts anthology is out now! Featuring an international suite of authors, there are some eerie tales to keep you up late at night! Featuring my haunted house tale of a different kind and the horrors that are hidden behind closed doors. Authors:Sally’s in the Well…
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is one of the great epic poems by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, an English poet, written between 1797–1798 and published in 1798. For me, this endures as a haunting poem about the consequence of actions and respect for an equilibrium, especially between nature and humanity. One of my formative poems,…
Irish Myth: Cliodha
In Irish mythology, Cliodha is often now known as the Queen of the Banshees but once she was the most beautiful women in Irish mythology and the Tir Tairngire (Isle of Promise). In County Cork, Cliodha is firmly established as the patron of the land. Here, her mythology survives where she is accompanied by three…
The Goblin Market
BY CHRISTINA ROSSETTI One of my favourite dark folklore infused pieces. Enjoy! 🖤 Morning and eveningMaids heard the goblins cry:“Come buy our orchard fruits,Come buy, come buy:Apples and quinces,Lemons and oranges,Plump unpeck’d cherries,Melons and raspberries,Bloom-down-cheek’d peaches,Swart-headed mulberries,Wild free-born cranberries,Crab-apples, dewberries,Pine-apples, blackberries,Apricots, strawberries;—All ripe togetherIn summer weather,—Morns that pass by,Fair eves that fly;Come buy, come buy:Our…
Double Book Launch!!
I am thrilled to announce that I’ll be in conversation with the delightful Leife Shallcross to launch of my collection Three Curses & Other Dark Tales and edited anthology Cursed Shards from IFWG Publishing of dark tales inspired by fairytales, folklore, magic mirrors, wicked Fae and Curses! Come celebrate noon 28th September at ANU Harry…
Norse Myth: Rán
In Norse mythology, Rán (Old Norse: [ˈrɒːn]) is a goddess and a personification of the sea. Rán and her husband Ægir who also personifies the sea, have nine daughters, personifications of waves. Rán apprars in the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, compiled during the 13th century from earlier traditional sources. Rán is associated with…
Reblog: All the New Horror Books Coming in June 2024
June 2024’s new horror books, featuring titles from Gretchen Felker-Martin, Paul Tremblay, Hailey Piper, L.P. Hernandez, Eden Royce, Josh Malerman, … All the New Horror Books Coming in June 2024
Ancient Greek Myth: Lamia
The ancient myths and legends were a source of inspiration for many of the collective literary and artists known as collectively as the Pre-Raphaelites Brotherhood. Even after several reiterations of the creative collective, interest in the ancient and medieval legends and myths remained strong. The British poet John Keats published his epic poem ‘Lamia’ in…
Norse Myth: The Seeress
In Norse mythology, the Norse seeress or Völva, is a prominent figure. The pre-13th Century Icelandic texts in Old Norse known as the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda respectively. The Poetic Edda contains fragmentary verse texts, while the Prose Edda is more cohesive prose text but both relate to the origins of Norse Mythology. The…
Collection Publication
I am thrilled to announce that Three Curses and Other Dark Tales, my debut collection of short and long fiction inspired by global folklore, legends and mythology was released globally on 24 June, 2024. Come closer, let me tell you a tale or three. Sit nearer the firelight and if you notice the folk in…
Ditmar Award Nominations
The iconic Ditmar Awards are nominated and voted by the Australasian speculative fiction community. The list of eligible works for 2023 can be found here. I’m excited to have a lovely variety of nominated works. If you’ve read and enjoyed any of my work and you’re in the Australasian region, a vote would make my…
Fairy Tale Stoytelling
The 25th Anniversary of the Australian Fairy Tale Society was celebrated with an online storytelling event. The theme for the celebratory concert was “Stories of Love & Light” with 6 storytellers presenting their own retellings, reimagining and creations. I was fortunate enough to take part in the concert with my reimagining of the Arthurian legend…
Demon Lore: Succubi
A succubus (plural: succubi) is a demon who takes the form of a beautiful woman who in turn, seduces men. Succubi were claimed to visit men in their sleep causing erotic dreams and also nightmares. During the European witch hunt eras, those deemed succubi were thought to be agents of the Devil, tempting men to…
Celtic Myth: The Morrigan
In Celtic nythology, the Morrígan is a complex figure embodying war, fate, and sovereignty. She’s often depicted as a shapeshifter and appears as a crow on the battlefield to foretel doom or victory. As a goddess of war, the Morrígan decides the outcome of battles. In this role, she may bless or curse kings and…
All the New Horror Books Coming in May 2024
May 2024’s new horror books, featuring titles from Hailey Piper, Lindsay King-Miller, Stephen King, ‘Pemi Aguda, Christina Henry, Alan Baxter, and … All the New Horror Books Coming in May 2024
Scottish Folklore: Grey Mare of Ballachulish
The Grey Mare of Ballachulish is a haunting tale of a supernatural horse found on the moors near the village of Ballachulish, Scotland. The mare is seen on misty nights where she blends into the mist like a liminal being. If unfortunate enough to be caught on the moors during a misty night, the ghostly…
Greek Myth: The Fates
The Moirai or Fates are Ancient Greek deities, three sisters who weave the destinies and lives of mortals. Clotho is responsible for spinning the thread of life; Lachesis decides on the fortune or unfortunate paths and the length of an individual’s thread of life; lastly, Atropos, chooses when an individual dies by cutting the thread…
Melbourne Supanova 2024
I recently appeared at Melbourne Supanova, April 2024 with the IFWG Publishing Team. My first ever Supanova in Melbourne was a great event to engage with readers and writers and to share the enjoyment of all things pop-culture, speculative, comics and cosplay. I also caught up with fellow author and friend Kate Forsyth and illustrator…
Appearances: Supanova
Thrilled to announce I’ll be at Melbourne Supanova April 6-7, 2024. I’ll have advance copies to sign of my edited anthology Cursed Shards due for global release on 27 May, 2024 from IFWG Publishing. I’ll also have advance copies to sign of my debut collection Three Curses due for global release on 24 June, 2024…
What is Alternate History?
Alternate history is a term readers and writers will often come across as a sub-genre. It is a sub-genre that fascinates me and I often incorporate this into my writing. But what really does writing “alternate history” really involve? A new guide by AUS author Jack Dann The Fiction Writer’s Guide to Alternate History does…
Fairytale Storytelling Concert!
I’m very excited to help the Australian Fairy Tale Society celebrate 10 year anniversary with a free zoom storytelling concert on theme of “Lught and Love”. Australian Fairy Tale Society celebrating 10years! Come join me and other storytellers live readings of work inspired by Love & Light: “Please join us to hear stories of welcome…
Australian Fairy Tale Society’s first ever storytelling concert!
I’m thrilled to be taking part in this concert with my reimagining of the Arthurian legend of the Lady of Shallot. My story “The Curse of Shallot” is the power of love even in the shadows! You are invited to The Australian Fairy Tale Society their first-ever storytelling concert – Stories of Light and Love! Come…
Norwegian Legend: the Oskoreia
In Norwegian legend and folklore in the days before Yuletide, the Oskoreia ride through the skies. This ghostly horde of the restless dead and witches spreads terror through the wintry night sky. The Oskoreia is not dissimilar to the continental European legend of the “The Wild Hunt”. There is a common root throughout all these…
Irish Folklore: The Fairy Wife
“Are you a witch? Are you a Fairy? Or are you the wife of Michael Cleary?” These are the haunting lines of an Irish children’s dancing rhyme still remembered in modern Ireland today. It tells of a brutal murder, madness a strong belief in the Fair Folk. In Tipperary, Michael Cleary accused his wife, Bridget,…
Slavic Folklore: Samodivi
A samodiva (plural: samodivi) is a wood nymph from the Balkans, specifically in Bulgaria. Samodiva translates ‘samo’ (alone) and ‘diva’ (wild/divine). The first part of the name signifies avoidance of humans and the second part indicates the wild or divine nature. These nymphs are forest spirits who appear as beautiful young women. But the Samodivi…
2023 Awards Season
It’s that time of year again when 2023 Awards seasons rolls around. I have several works eligible in Horror and Fantasy categories for short fiction, Collections and Novelettes for the Aurealis Awards, Stoker Awards, British Fantasy Awards, Ditmar Awards, Australian Shadows Awards, Nebula Awards, Hugo Awards, Otherwise Awards, Shirley Jackson Awards & World Fantasy Awards.…
Slavic Folklore: The Likho
The likho is part of Eastern Slavic fairy tales. Although not as frequently mentioned as the witch Baba Yaga, the likho assumes many guises from an old woman clad in black or a male goblin-like being. The common feature in both is the likho has only one eye. In the pre-Christian era, the likho was…
Norse Myth: Nidhogg
Nidhogg (Old Norse Níðhöggr, “He Who Strikes with Malice”) is one of several serpents or dragons in the Nine Worlds. The most famous serpent is Jormungand or the Midgard-serpent but Nidhogg is a dragon trapped beneath the Yggdrasil and constantly gnawing at its roots and corpses. Nidhogg is a force for chaos by destroying Yggdrasil,…
Greek Myth: Sirens
In Ancient Greek mythology, the sirens are vaguely described by various sources but are usually interpreted as being large birds with the heads of women. In the classic Ancient Greek legend The Odyssey attributed to Homer, the hero Odysseus’s ship is attacked by sirens who sing from the cliffs with the voices of women. The…
Conflux Convention
I’ll be attending the 17th Conflux Speculative Fiction Convention in Canberra from 29th September – 3rd October, 2023. I’ll be in the Dealer’s Room – All weekend!! Book Promo — Cursed Shards edited by Leanbh Pearson with Stephen Herczeg, 29th September, Friday 5.30 pm. I’ll be on 3 panels: Entrances to Evil: Doors in Dark…
Slavic Folklore: Upiór
The Upiór is present in Slavic and Turkic folklore and resembles the vampire. The Upiór is depicted as a ravenous and insatiable creature with vampiric features. Belief in the Upiór may have spread across the Eurasian steppes through migrations with its origins in the regions surrounding the Volga River and the Pontic steppes. An Upiór…
Slavic Folklore: Rusalka
The Rusalka is related to water-dwelling nymphs and appears in the form of a beautiful woman. Water nymphs, unlike mermaids, have legs and can walk on land. Rusalki are found in rivers or lakes they come out of the streams at certain times a year to dance and walk in the woods especially in summer…
Egyptian Myth: Hathor
Hathor was known as “the Great One of Many Names” and her titles and attributes are so numerous that she was important in nearly every aspect of ancient Egyptian life and death. Her widespread worship in the Predynastic period is indicated by her depiction on the Narmer palette. During the Old Kingdom period, her worship…
Diversity Grants & Awards
I’m really excited to announce I’ve been nominated for the Ditmar Awards for Best New Talent and Best Novella for Bluebells – an LGBTQI, disability dystopian alternate history horror. I’m a recipient of the 2023 Horror Writers Association Diversity Grants to allow me to continue research for my HWA mentorship project with Lee Murray. The…
Ditmar Award Nominations!!
I’m thrilled to announce I’m included in the 2022 Ditmar Awards Nominations. There is such a fabulous variety of works nominated this year. Presentations will be held at Conflux Convention in September/October. I’m nominated for Best New Talent and my LGBTQI dystopian alternate history novella Bluebells is nominated in Best Novella or Novelette. Congratulations to…
Arthurian Lore: Merlin
Merlin is the archetypal wizard from Arthurian lore. Merlin is a Latinized version of the Welsh Myrddin. His exact origins are lost in myth and there is no concrete evidence, but there was possibly several individuals who were guardians to kings, prophets and bards existed toward in the late fifth century. What we have today…
Reblog: 2023 Aurealis Awards open for entry
We are delighted to announce that the 2023 Aurealis Awards are now open for immediate entry. The Aurealis Awards, Australia’s premier awards for … 2023 Aurealis Awards open for entry
Celtic Myth: Danu
Danu is one of the oldest Celtic goddess. She is represented by the earth and its abundance. Many place names in Ireland are associated with her, most notable the Paps of Anu in Kerry, which resemble the breasts of a large supine female, part of the land. Danu is known as the ‘beantuathach’ (farmer) associating…
Norse Mythology: Frigg
Frigg (Old Norse Frigg, “Beloved”) is the highest-ranking of the Aesir goddesses. She’s the wife of Odin, and the mother of Baldur. Frigg is depicted as a völva – a Viking Age practitioner of the form of Norse magic known as seidr. Seidr was a shamanic discerning fate and working within that structure to bring…
Aztec Mythology: Xipe Totec
Xipe Totec or ‘Flayed One’ in Nahuatl, was a major god in ancient Mesoamerican culture and particularly important for the Toltecs and Aztecs. He was considered the god of spring, the patron of seeds and planting and metal workers (especially goldsmiths) and gemstone workers. Xipe Totec was so closely connected to the sacrifices that were…
Arthurian Lore: Morgan le Fay
Morgan le Fay is also known as Morgana, Morgana and is one of the most powerful enchantress from Arthurian lore. She became very popular in the modern times from the novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley, The Mists of Avalon. Some of legends have their roots in medieval times which were transformed into the novel which…
Greek Myth: Circe
Circe was a daughter of the Greek sun god Helios, and his wife the Oceanid Perseis. Her siblings include another powerful sorceress, Pasiphae, the wife of Midas, and their brothers Perses and Aeetes. The brothers didn’t seem to inherit any magical abilities but the niece of Circe, Medea infamous did. Circe was one of the…
Norse Mythology: Skadi
Skadi (Old Norse Skaði) is a frost giantess. Her name is identical to the Old Norse common noun skaði which means “harm,”. Her name may be related to the naming of landmass of “Scandinavia.” Skadi’s domain is the highest peaks of the mountains where the snow never melts. She is an keen huntress and her…
Greek Mythology: Hades
Hades may be one of the most-well known and most popular gods from Ancient Greek mythology but wasn’t one of the recognised Olympian gods even despite being the brother of Zeus. Hades was the Greek god of the Dead and his domain took on his name and didn’t exist in the mortal realm but an…
Aztec Mythology: Mictlán
In Aztec cosmology, the soul intakes a journey to the Underworld after death and they have four destinations: the Sacred Orchard of the Gods, the Place of Darkness, the Kingdom of the Sun, and a paradise called the Mansion of the Moon. The most common destination for a soul is Mictlán (Place of Darkness) with…
Norse Mythology: Loki
Loki (Old Norse: Loki “knot/tangle”) is a wily trickster god of Norse mythology. While treated as a nominal member of the Aesir, he occupies a highly ambivalent and unique position among the gods, giants, and the other kinds of spiritual beings that populate pre-Christian Norse religion. Loki is the father of three monsters with giantess…
Voodoo Folklore: Baron Samedi
Baron Samedi is the leader of the Barons and possibly the Gedés. He presides over a sprawling, confusing, complex clan of spirits. Baron Samedi literally means Baron Saturday, which may sound innocuous compared to Baron Cemetery but a connection through Christianity is Saturday was between the crucifixion on Friday and resurrection on the Sunday. Thus,…
Norse Mythology: Freyr
Freyr (Old Norse Freyr, “Lord”) is one of the Vanir gods and is also counted among the Aesir gods as a hostage after the Aesir-Vanir War. Fryer’s father is the Vanir god Njord. Freyr has been the lover of numerous goddesses and giantesses and rumoured to include his own sister, Freya. Incest seems a common…
Greek Mythology: Nyx
Nyx is a very unique goddess. She has the ability to bring sleep or death. Even Zeus feared Nyx because she was older and stronger than him. She is the only goddess he’s ever known to fear. She is often described as a winged or riding in a chariot across the sky, shrouded in mist…
Breton Folklore: The Ankou
The Ankou (Breton), Ankow (Cornish) or Angau (Welsh) from Celtic legend most commonly occurs in Brittany. Here you can still spot the Ankou haunting many of the churches and cathedrals. What is the Ankou? It’s defiant remnant of Pagan influence that had survived hidden among the stone-work of Christian buildings. The Ankou haunts the graveyard…
Irish Folklore: Féar Gortach
The Fear Gorta means Famine Man or Féar Gortach and refers to the Hungry or Famine Grass in Irish folklore. The Famine or Hungry Man is a skeletal wraith and a harbinger of death. Féar Gortach is a folklore tale of a cursed patch of land where if you tread, you are doomed to die…
Inuit Folklore: The Amikuk
The Amikuk is a monster from Inuit legend that is as deadly on land as it is in the water. They possess a deep hatred for al humans and actively hunt for kayakers in the open waters off the Alaskan coast. The Amikuk are often described as extremely long but almost human-like in shape. They…
Leprechaun Folklore
The stereotype of the leprechaun is of lucky charms and pots of gold at the end of a rainbow. But leprechauns are members of the Fairy folk, a type of sidhe and are unusual because leprechauns are almost exclusively always male. The name leprechaun derives from the Gaelic leith brog “one shoemaker.” The leprechaun is…
Freyja: Norse Mythology
Freya (Old Norse Freyja, “Lady”) is one of the preeminent goddesses in Norse mythology. She’s a member of the Vanir tribe of deities, but became a member of the Aesir gods after the Aesir-Vanir War. Her brother Freyr also became a member of the Aesir. Freyja is the Norse goddess of love, fertility, beauty and…
Ryujin: Japanese Folklore
In Japanese mythology, thousands of dragons exist. All of them have three common characteristics: three claws on each leg, a mustache and a sacred pearl that is called the “dragon pearl”. The magic of the dragons come from these jewels. It is from this jewel that the magic of these dragons comes. The greatest of…
The Anden Cóndor Myth
The Condor is a mythic Trickster figure in the legends of the local people of the Andes. There is a myth which accompanies the Condor recounted below from source unknown. There was once a an old shepherd who lived with his beautiful young daughter in a little village at the top of the Andes. The…
Hell Hounds
Hellhounds are demons or evil spirits that take the form of a dog. Throughout history and in numerous cultures there are creatures known as hellhounds which appear in mythology, legend and folklore – sometimes as guardians of forbidden areas or as sinister loners that spread death and misery wherever they tread. A Hellhound is not…
Online Live Book Launch!!
Join me and author of Rarkyn’s Familiar Nikky Lee for a virtual book launch March 9th 19:30-20:30 AEDST (+11:00 UTC) for The Devil and the Loch Ard Gorge. A belated launch due to my extended illness but it’s finally time to celebrate this gothic horror novelette. The virtual launch will be held live on Facebook…
The Dearg-Due
The Dearg-Due means “red” in Irish but wasn’t the name of this poor girl during her life. In life, over two thousand years ago, she was a legendary beauty, with blood-red lips and pale blonde hair. Her true name has been lost to the ages, overshadowed instead by the thing she became. Men travelled from…
The Red String of Fate
The Red Thread of Fate, refers to an ancient Asian myth of love. The Red Thread of Fate also referred to as the Red Thread of Marriage, and other variants, is an East Asian belief originating from a Chinese legend. In Chinese mythology, the gods tie an invisible red string around the ankles of those…
Bluebells Book Launch
A very late posting of the offical launch of Bluebells on October 2nd, 2022 at Conflux 16 Convention in Canberra. The book launch which had been delayed due to my health issues and extended hospital stays. So this was time to celebrate! We kicked off the launch with Zachary Ashford giving a great introduction to…
The Roggenmuhme
German folklore Seeing parts of a rye crop suddenly move is according to old German folklore, not caused by the wind or animals, but by the Roggenmuhme, a witch-like monster who resides within rye fields. Literally translated, the name means ‘rye mother’. Like many folklore and fairytales, it originated as a cautionary tale to discourage…
Eros and Psyche
The myth of Eros and Psyche is probably one of the best known love stories in Greek mythology. Eros, the son of Aphrodite and personification of intense desire threw arrows to to hit a person’s heart and make them fall in love. Psyche was a beautiful maiden, who accordingly personified the human soul. She becomes…
Myth of Orpheus and Eurydice
Orpheus was the son of Apollo, the Greek god of music and poetry. Eurydice was a beautiful nymph. Their tragic love story is about losing someone you love and having the opportunity to get them back if you can follow one simple rule. Apollo is the Greek god of music and poetry and is most…
Blathnat: Irish Mythology
Goddess of the Tuatha de Danann Blathnat is an Irish goddess of abundance and tales of her appear in the Ulster Cycle describing her as the beautiful, scheming and unfaithful queen of the sorcerer Cu Roi. The intense love affair between Blathnat and Cuchulainn led to the death of her husband, Cu Roi. A common…
Mirror Folklore
In folklore, a mirror is a doorway or portal through which spirits, including ghosts and demons can gain access to the physical world where demonic infestations and hauntings occur. In prehistory, any shiny surface was regarded as a spirit doorway and used to summon spirits into the world. They also are used for seeing visions…
Dullahan
The Dullahan is a headless rider on a black horse carrying carries his own head under one arm. Usually, the Dullahan is male, but there are some female versions. The mouth of the head has a rictus grin and the eyes move constantly. The Dullahan also has the power to see across the countryside even…
Conflux 16 2022 Convention
A very late post on the October 2022 Conflux 16 Speculative Fiction Convention held in Canberra. Aside from being an invited panelist for 4 seperate panels, I ran my first Dealers Table for the four days and officially launched Bluebells. I was also an invited panellist on 4 panels – each exciting to engage with…
Scottish Kelpie
In Scotland, a kelpie is a shape-shifting water spirit living in lakes and pools. They’re defined as demons appearing specifically in the shape of horses. However, some legends say they can also assume human form. In human form, the kelpie still retains its hooves. Thus, the kelpie is seen as a malevolent entity. Almost every…
Norse Witch: Gullveig
Gullveig is an important female figure mentioned in two stanzas in the Völuspá, one of the poems in the Nordic Poetic Edda. Her prominent role describes the events leading to the Aesir-Vanir War, the war between the two main tribes of deities in Norse mythology, the Aesir and the Vanir and the destruction of the…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Leanbh Pearson 