Out of the ivory tower and into the streets! Or at least the blogosphere. I’m proud to unveil my latest gig, which sprang directly from the interest generated by Rook Chant: I am now the History Witch for the Witches & Pagans site. I’ll be bringing the fascinating but often rather challenging information from my…
Category: medieval
Six Sentence Sunday: Rook Chant
All right, it’s Sunday again — and Father’s Day! Happy Father’s Day all — so here’s my six. A little change of pace: not fiction, but non-fiction. A little taste from my latest publication, Rook Chant, which offers a compendium of essays, translations and reviews on one of my favourite topics: magic. I write about…
Out Now: Rook Chant
Few things make a writer happier than a gorgeous book cover and this one’s a beaut, thanks to the ever talented Queen of Everything, S. L. Johnson. You may recognise the image from a photo I took: how rare for a writer to have a hand in the book cover! Rook Chant brings together a…
Reviews: Guerilla Blues & Beowulf
Guerrilla BluesAlessandra Bava People tend to think writers give their friends good reviews because they’re pals; the truth is you become friends with people who write stories or poems that inspire you to be better, to do more, to aim for dizzying heights. My jester — the poet of Rome — Alessandra’s new collection offers…
Friday’s Forgotten Books: The Life of Christina of Markyate
I don’t think there’s much chance of overlap with this week’s choice. The life of a twelfth century recluse: it doesn’t scream popular appeal, I suppose. But it should! A fascinating story and an early biography of a woman in a time when few but kings and saints got their stories told (fortunately at least…
Six Sentence Sunday: Pelzmantel
As always, drop by Six Sentence Sunday to browse through the offerings and discover new writers. Once upon a time, there was a queen. She had hair of brilliant gold. It would shine like burnished metal in the sunlight, dance in moonlight spears. Her face had the radiant glow of genuine happiness, for she loved…
Tuesday’s Overlooked A/V: Penda’s Fen
Big birthday wishes to my li’l brother, Bertie. He wouldn’t want me posting a picture that was not pre-approved or artfully touched up, so I will refrain from posting that pouty school photo from when he was about seven… Much as I might be tempted. Today’s overlooked A/V owes a big thanks to Mr B,…
Friday’s Forgotten Books: Riddley Walker
Russell Hoban was a singular writer; when asked what kind of a writing I do, I have generally offered up Hoban as the “genre” in which I write. Sadly, his name didn’t always resonate with people — and that includes NY Times obit writers; though most memorials mentioned Riddley Walker, too many seemed to be…
Converting Galway
Thanks to Michael, there’s a photo of me giving my talk at the Moore Institute yesterday. There was quite a good turnout! I suspect it was the sandwiches. The audience seemed to be receptive and laughed in the right places, always a good sign.I will put the talk on line when I get a moment….
Know-vember: Miss Wendy
You knew she would be here: the Patsy to my Edina, she of the big hair, former Elf-Queen (and survivor of many a medieval play), southern gal supreme, Mechademia Submissions editor, connoisseur of Jack Daniels and hostess of the Rosh Hashanah Ragin’ Kegger and Toga Parties — Miss Wendy! I am so happy to know…