research, Writing

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 personโ€™s heart and make them fall in love. Psyche was a beautiful maiden, who accordingly personified the human soul. She becomes… Continue reading Eros and Psyche

Short Fiction, stories

New Release! Dark Christmas

An updated and quality full-colour paperback of the second edition of my illustrated chapbook and ebook Dark Christmas were released on February 15, 2023. Dark Christmas marks the first in my new chapbook series Quick Bites Chapbooks published under my imprint Quill Lore. These chapbooks are a combination of short stories or microfiction on a… Continue reading New Release! Dark Christmas

reads, Recent Reads

Braid

Publisherโ€™s Description Decades after escaping the tower, Zel makes her living as a healer and wise-woman, travelling the lands with her family and the sentient, serpentine braid that still carries a touch of the witch's magic. Short-haired and happy, Zel prepares for the birth of her first great-grandchild, only to find herself shaken by unexpected… Continue reading Braid

reads, Recent Reads

Into the Forest

Publisherโ€™s Description Deep in the dark forest, in a cottage that spins on birds' legs behind a fence topped with human skulls, lives the Baba Yaga. A guardian of the water of life, she lives with her sisters and takes to the skies in a giant mortar and pestle, creating tempests as she goes. Those… Continue reading Into the Forest

research, Writing

The Banshee

A Banshee is a fairy in Irish legend and her scream is believed to be an omen of death. The scream is also called โ€˜caoineโ€™ which means โ€˜keeningโ€™ and is a warning that there will be an imminent death in the family. As the Irish families blended over time, it is said that each family… Continue reading The Banshee

research, Writing

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… Continue reading Mirror Folklore

events, Writing

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… Continue reading Conflux 16 2022 Convention

research, Writing

Scottish Kelpie

In Scotland, a kelpie is a shape-shifting water spirit living in lakes and pools. Theyโ€™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… Continue reading Scottish Kelpie

research, Writing

The Tengu

Kidomaru and the Tengu - Utagawa Kuniyoshi In Japanese folklore, many stories include spirits, supernatural creatures, and demons called yokai. And of all the yokai, the tengu is the one that might seem most familiar to a modern Westerner. At first glance, it's a lot like a superhero: the ability to fly, great physical strength,… Continue reading The Tengu

reads, Recent Reads

The Bloody Chamber

Publisherโ€™s Description From familiar fairy tales and legends โ€“ Red Riding Hood, Bluebeard, Puss in Boots, Beauty and the Beast, vampires and werewolves โ€“ Angela Carter has created an absorbing collection of dark, sensual, fantastic stories. Review I read the classic The Bloody Chamber and Other Tales by UK author Angela Carter as part of… Continue reading The Bloody Chamber