Tomorrow is release day for Fairytale Christmas, the box-set of reimagined faery tales that includes 15 brand new stories from some wonderful authors from around the world. Order it here, or read it free in KU. My story, The Snow Queen’s Daughter, began with the question at the heart of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow
I’m part of a box set of reimagined faery tales, Fairytale Christmas, alongside K. A. Last and a bunch of American and Canadian writers. It’s on sale November 1, but you can pre-order it here now. Here is the blurb. Fairy lights, mistletoe and cozy nights by the fire… Delve into this spellbinding Fairytale Christmas
Beltane : First Day of Summer : Growth Beltane, the festival of love and fertility that marks the end of spring and the start of the heat and energy of summer, falls in early November in the southern hemisphere, and early May in the northern hemisphere. In 2020 it falls on November 8 in Australia – although
Samhain : First Day of Winter : Death Samhain, the festival of the ancestors and the dead that marks the beginning of winter, falls in early May in the southern hemisphere and early November in the northern hemisphere – and on October 31 in popular culture, where it is celebrated as Halloween. This year in
This month’s Australian Fairy Tale Society faery tale is Little Red Riding Hood – and it’s fascinating just how many versions there are. In some, she and her grandmother are eaten by the wolf, and that’s the end of the story. In some she is the victim, rescued by the huntsman or woodcutter. In others
In September I had two big deadlines, so I didn’t get to read as much as I would have liked, and three of the four were related to our research/discussion for the Australian Fairy Tale Society’s stories – this month we were investigating Belle-Belle ou Le Chevalier Fortune and The Girl Who Pretended To Be
On this day and night of the dark of the moon (Friday October 16 in Australia), I’m wishing you much love, bravery and awareness as you embrace the magic of introspection and what it can reveal to you. This is a powerful time to reflect on your year, and your self, and to look within,
August was a wonderful mix of important stories, gorgeous fantasy, a nostalgic hit, and faery tales and faery tale reimaginings. An Enchantment of Ravens (47 of 52) by Margaret Rogerson is a lovely, magical tale of faeries and humans, forbidden love, sweet romance, a desperate quest, and an enchanting, gorgeously described world with flawed characters and
Jasmine Seymour is a Darug woman from the Hawkesbury area of NSW. A writer, artist and primary school teacher, she is the author of Cooee Mittigar, which introduces us to the plants, animals and seasons of Darug Country and language; author and artist of Baby Business, about a ceremony to welcome a baby to Country;
July was a fascinating month for books, and online book launches. Living On Stolen Land (40 of 52) by Ambelin Kwaymullina is a short, powerful book that *everyone* should read (although sadly those who most need to hear these words of wisdom – including politicians, police and policy makers – will turn away again). It’s
In the magical Wheel of the Year that charts the dance of the seasons, the next celebration in the southern hemisphere is Imbolc, which marks the turning of the Wheel from the cold and dark of winter to the first signs of spring – although thanks to climate change, the signs of spring came early
In the magical Wheel of the Year that charts the dance of the seasons, the next celebration in the northern hemisphere is Lughnasadh, which marks the turning of the Wheel from the heat and joy of summer to the harvest energy of autumn. This cross-quarter day falls on August 6 in the US this year, and
June has been a strange, unsettling month, of high tension, of long overdue attention on black lives mattering, and of educating ourselves to learn more, do more and be better. Award-winning journalist Reni Eddo-Lodge’s book Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race (34 of 52) is a searing, illuminating, absolutely necessary examination
Today, June 21, is the winter solstice in Australia, and I just had an interesting chat with an American friend about the fact that we (and others in the southern hemisphere) celebrate Yule and midwinter now, so far away from Christmas, which is so intrinsically linked to midwinter in popular culture. Many people in the
Congratulations to the amazing artist and creative Lorena Carrington, such a wonderfully worthy winner of the Award for Inspiration and Contribution to Australian Fairy Tale Culture, announced today at the Australian Fairy Tale Society Conference. I adore Lorena’s own book, Wiser Than Evening, and her collaborative projects with Kate Forsyth, the beautifully illustrated books Vasilisa the
I’m having a wonderful time at the Australian Fairy Tale Society Conference, listening to wonderful presenters including amazing author Kate Forsyth and wonderful glass artist Spike Deane. I even survived speaking about The Swan Maiden, and was so touched by the lovely response. I made a little presentation about the faery tale elements in a lot of
Yule : Winter Solstice : Rebirth The winter solstice falls around June 21 or 22 in the southern hemisphere – this year it is on June 21 – and around December 21 or 22 in the northern hemisphere – you can check the timing for you here. It’s the longest night and the shortest day
Litha : Summer Solstice : Fruition The summer solstice falls around June 20 or 21 in the northern hemisphere – this month it occurs on June 20 – and December 21 - 22 in the southern hemisphere. (Check your times here...) It’s the longest day and the shortest night of the year, with the sun
What Is Your Favourite Faery Tale? We will be discussing that and a whole lot more at the Australian Fairy Tale Society Conference, which starts this Friday night, June 5, and runs for three days – and for the first time it will be online, so people from anywhere in the world can attend! Although
Book-A-Week – May books read May was a month for extraordinary books. Blackbirds Sing by Aiki Flinthart and Phosphorescence by Julia Baird are two of my favourites this year, but the rest were awesome too! I loved the novelisation of The Rise of Skywalker by Rae Carson (26 of 52). I listened to the audiobook (narrated by
