C is for Cù Sìth. The Cù Sìth or Faery Dog plays an important role in most of my stories. Most of my heroines have an important task to perform in the future of Faerie – and that makes them targets for the bad guys. So they have a Cù Sìth protector. Before we get …
A is for Ankou If you’ve immersed yourself in my world, you’ll know that in Faerie there are different power players. Today we’re looking at Ankou, King of the Dead. Folklore The Old Man and Death An Old Man cut himself a bundle of faggots in a wood and started to carry them home. He had a …
Selkies are such marvellous Fae. Not only are they able to take two forms, they are also able to grant wishes and bring luck. They’ve captured the imagination of artists, writers and folklore enthusiasts. They are another great addition to the therianthrope group: changing from seal to human form by shedding their skin. Therianthrope n …
I’ve mentioned in a previous review how much I enjoy the world of Creepy Hollow. I’ve finally had a chance to read a couple of short companion books to the series. Deadly power. Stunning beauty. She will not be controlled. Sixteen-year-old Beth’s ordinary life is shattered the night her dormant magic awakens and she almost …
I found Rachel online when I was researching all the things I needed to know as a South African author. I signed up for her newsletter and got the first two Creepy Hollow books free. And then I won the third book – signed! – during a holiday give-away. The first three books of the …
One of my favourite faeries to use in my writing – sometimes just popping up in a story without forethought! – is the will-o’-the-wisp. Folklore Most faeries with fiery appearances and a tendency to lead night-time travellers astray are categorised as “will-o’-the-wisp”, which is why there are so many differing names for something that seems …
Celebrating the success of Once… Tales, Myths and Legends of Faerie, I’m sharing a couple of book club questions. Original book trailer: Audiobook book trailer: Book club questions Once… Tales, Myths and Legends of Faerie About the book Faerie has secrets… Love or family? Jamie MacKinnion makes the hardest decision of his very long life, …
So, we have looked at what dark fantasy is and what types of folklore I use in my writing. Another question that frequently comes up in interviews, online chats and talking to readers via email and at book signings: What do you write about? They already know how the content is dealt with (dark fantasy) …
Celebrating the success of The Fae Realm, I’m sharing a couple of book club questions. Book club questions The Fae Realm About the book Shadows. Magic. Fae. Learn their ways – and the original folklore behind the Fae Realm – in six magical stories. Scroll up to buy now! *This is the first book in …
Last week we looked at what I write: Dark Fantasy. This week we’re looking at what features in my writing. Once upon a time I wrote about what folklore is and why folklore is important. I wrote about how we embrace it in our Disney movies and young adult novels – disguised as fairy tales. …
