reads, Recent Reads

Book of Monster Stories

** I received an ARC for an honest review ** Publisherโ€™s Description With an introduction by Shirley Jackson Award-winner Gemma Files, this oustanding anthology of all things monstrous includes spine-chilling stories from Bentley Little, Simon Clark, Elizabeth Massie, Tim Waggoner, Sumiko Saulson, plus some of the best emerging horror writers working today. Summary The Horror… Continue reading Book of Monster Stories

events, Writing

Fairytale Storytelling Concert!

Iโ€™m very excited to help the Australian Fairy Tale Society celebrate 10 year anniversary with a free zoom storytelling concert on theme of โ€œLught and Loveโ€. Australian Fairy Tale Society celebrating 10years! Come join me and other storytellers live readings of work inspired by Love & Light: โ€œPlease join us to hear stories of welcome… Continue reading Fairytale Storytelling Concert!

events, Short Fiction

Australian Fairy Tale Societyโ€™s first ever storytelling concert!

Iโ€™m thrilled to be taking part in this concert with my reimagining of the Arthurian legend of the Lady of Shallot. My story โ€œThe Curse of Shallotโ€ is the power of love even in the shadows! You are invited to The Australian Fairy Tale Society their first-ever storytelling concert โ€“ Stories of Light and Love! Come… Continue reading Australian Fairy Tale Societyโ€™s first ever storytelling concert!

research, Writing

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 โ€œThe Wild Huntโ€. There is a common root throughout all these… Continue reading Norwegian Legend: the Oskoreia

research, Writing

Irish Folklore: The Fairy Wife

Town of Tipperary - Amergin Bard โ€œAre you a witch? Are you a Fairy? Or are you the wife of Michael Cleary?โ€ These are the haunting lines of an Irish childrenโ€™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,… Continue reading Irish Folklore: The Fairy Wife

research, Writing

Slavic Folklore: Samodivi

A samodiva (plural: samodivi) is a wood nymph from the Balkans, specifically in Bulgaria. Samodiva translates โ€˜samoโ€™ (alone) and โ€˜divaโ€™ (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… Continue reading Slavic Folklore: Samodivi

reads, Recent Reads

Never Whistle at Night

Publisherโ€™s Description Many Indigenous people believe that one should never whistle at night. This belief takes many forms: for instance, Native Hawaiians believe it summons the Hukaiโ€™po, the spirits of ancient warriors, and Native Mexicans say it calls Lechuza, a witch that can transform into an owl. But what all these legends hold in common… Continue reading Never Whistle at Night

reads, Recent Reads

Shanghai Immortal

Publisherโ€™s Description Half vampire. Half fox-spirit. All trouble.Pawned by her mother to the King of Hell as a child, Lady Jing is half-vampire, half-hulijing fox-spirit and all sasshole. As the Kingโ€™s ward, she has spent the past ninety years running errands, dodging the taunts of the spiteful hulijing courtiers, and trying to control her explosive… Continue reading Shanghai Immortal

research

Slavic Folklore: The Likho

Art - Marek Hapon 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… Continue reading Slavic Folklore: The Likho