Feather, Leaf has been out for a while now. Accordion Books suffered a bit of a hold up but the first 2 will be published in April. More soon I think. But in the meantime my working attention is focussed on the Book of Birds which is having an inevitable shift into 'The Lost Birds' ( had to happen really) and Wild Folk.

Wild Folk launched yesterday with the rising of the Wolf Moon into a cloudy sky. There is a wonderful film that maybe says more about the book and what it will be than I can here, but I just wanted to take the time to let you know about this new venture. It was born at Northmoor House, a retreat with Seven Fables where a few musicians, artists, writers, painters, makers drew together. By day we all worked. John Mitchinson was there, with Rachael, his wife, who was editing while John wrote, Catherine Hyde was drawing, taking photos, and Tamsin Abbott was walking, painting, thinking. 

Tamsin's work is amazing. I have so much of it in my house. I have written books in her garden. She has looked after my house, drawn inspiration from Ivy. You can see more of her work at her website, and also buy prints and cards of her work. Originals sell fast.Seven Fables carry some, but they usually sell on arrival. 

It was a lovely afternoon and John and Tamsin were talking in the garden. John was saying how lovely it would be to see a book of folk tales with Tamsin's images. And this is where I stepped in, saying, I have some stories....... me, me, me....... I guess that is one way to pitch a book. 

Wild Folk grew from there. We hope we will make something beautiful, and certainly it will be elegantly illustrated with Tamsin's work. I am honing the words, and still have two tales to discover. I need to listen to the ravens, the river, the sea, and most of all the stones, for they are oldest and wisest. 

Here is a link to the Wild Folk page. It will be wildly different from Feather, Leaf, Bark & Stone. 

I would love to hear from you about how FLB&S came to you, whether you write in it, if you've given it as a gift and how it was received, if you would like to leave a comment here.

The wind is howling like the wolf outside now. Inside, snoring dogs and fire crackle and the house breathing. Time for me to read.