research, Writing

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,… Continue reading Carmilla: Week 5

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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… Continue reading Slavic Folklore: Domovoj

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Carmilla: Week 2

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. My father is English, and… Continue reading Carmilla: Week 2

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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… Continue reading Avoiding Vampire Creation

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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 youโ€™ve been given an electronic ARC version? You want to support the authors youโ€™re reviewing for or judging but I… Continue reading Reviewer Hack!

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Why ebooks? Accessibility!

I read ebooks and Iโ€™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… Continue reading Why ebooks? Accessibility!

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Irish Myth: Tuatha Dรฉ Danann

John Duncan's Riders of the Sidhe (1911) In the mythic Otherworld of Irish Gaelic folklore, the Tuatha Dรฉ 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.… Continue reading Irish Myth: Tuatha Dรฉ Danann

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Fox Folklore

Pinterest Image 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… Continue reading Fox Folklore

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Victorian Queer & Female Doctors

My next work in progress blends magical realism with inspiration from Victorian era history. Iโ€™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.… Continue reading Victorian Queer & Female Doctors

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Urban Legend: Amazon Vampire

๐Ÿ“ท = Reportedly Camille Monfront 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 Belรฉm, Brazil. In the late Victorian era, Brazil was… Continue reading Urban Legend: Amazon Vampire