The Baba Yaga is one of my favourite mythic characters, and she seems to be making a bit of a cultural reemergence, so I thought I'd share a few contemporary books where she plays a starring role. Out recently is Sophie Anderson's wonderful The House on Chicken Legs. I loved it so much. It's a delightful…Read more Baba Yaga Books
Kate Forsyth
The history of Vasilisa
By KATE FORSYTH This week Vasilisa the Wise & Other Tales of Brave Young Women is finally launched into the world. To celebrate I thought I would explore the history of the titular tale, which is one of the best-known and best-loved Russian fairy-tales. An old oral tale, it was transcribed by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev…Read more The history of Vasilisa
Castlemaine Launch
Last Thursday, Castlemaine Library hosted the first launch of Vasilisa the Wise and Other Tales of Brave Young Women. About seventy people came along and shared the celebration, one that's been several years in the making. The wonderful Carmel Bird gave the launch speech and began: Once in a kingdom far far away there lived…Read more Castlemaine Launch
Listen carefully, Vasilisa
As publication date nears, Serenity Press has recorded a short excerpt of Vasilisa the Wise & Other Tales of Brave Young Girls. Have a listen - turn the sound up. The video was voiced by Monique Mulligan, with music called "Low Horizon" by Kai Engel providing a marvellous soundtrack. The next step is to create…Read more Listen carefully, Vasilisa
Trailer: Vasilisa the Wise
"Morning is wiser than the evening." Vasilisa, Russian fairy tale Our proofs are at the printer and should soon be on the ship, ready for despatch to Australia - we are so thrilled. We're also thrilled to announce that Kate and Lorena will be working together on a follow-up book, Mollie Whuppie & Other Tales…Read more Trailer: Vasilisa the Wise
Seven Podcasts for Fairy Tale Lovers
If you're anything like me, you use podcasts to get you through the day - out walking, in the car, cooking dinner: all the stuff where sometimes it's great just to have some else's voice in your head for a while! I also spend a lot of time at the computer working with images and,…Read more Seven Podcasts for Fairy Tale Lovers
Proof of a dream
The creation of a book is often likened to the birth of a baby - it's a simile that works well, because really, that's exactly what it is. When authors call their books their "book baby", they are likening their creation to something they have nurtured from conception to birth, and has a deep connection…Read more Proof of a dream
10 gift ideas for folklore & fairy tale lovers
Inspired by Vasilisa the Wise and Other Tales of Brave Young Women, we've trawled the Internet to seek out a range of gifts for the folklore and fairy tale lover in your life. From the stunning to the quirky, we're sure there's at least one thing here that will thrill its recipient. 1. Baba Yaga…Read more 10 gift ideas for folklore & fairy tale lovers
Into the woods…
"Into the woods to find there's hope Of getting through the journey." - STEPHEN SONDHEIM
The production whirlwind
Originally when Serenity Press contracted Vasilisa the Wise and Other Tales of Brave Young Women, a 2018 launch was planned. But after hearing repeated questions like, 'When do pre-orders open?' the release date has been brought forward to December 2017. Pre-orders will open in July! So, where are we up to in the production process?…Read more The production whirlwind
Long Lost Fairy Tales 