Jackie Morris and Tamsin Abbott

Welcome! Welcome! This update is for pledgers only. There are now over 600 of you wonderful people who are behind us as we start work for real on this book of tales and nature spells. One of the stories which will make up part of the book is one that Jackie began shaping a few years ago and which I was immediately drawn to, and created work responding to, The Black Fox. It is a particularly appropriate place to start as the story itself began one evening at my home in Herefordshire over a bottle of..... That was the beginning of the tale... And here is a short video showing the scribbles that are the beginnings of the artwork.

Welcome! Welcome! This update is for pledgers only. There are now over 600 of you wonderful people who are behind us as we start work for real on this book of tales and nature spells. One of the stories which will make up part of the book is one that Jackie began shaping a few years ago and which I was immediately drawn to, and created work responding to, The Black Fox. It is a particularly appropriate place to start as the story itself began one evening at my home in Herefordshire over a bottle of.....


 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_FB304B6D4B46-1.jpg?v=1690916457" width="425" height="500">


That was the beginning of the tale...  And here is a short video showing the scribbles that are the beginnings of the artwork.

Beginnings and a little insight.

Snowdrops are colouring the verges and edges, blooming under hedges, small snowdrifts of blossoms. I am home after a few days away, looking after my mum, taking her shopping, spending time in her company, then signing 1500 books in a warehouse for Otter Barry Books, and on to Tamsin's for a couple of days that included quiet time in her garden listening to the language of birds and a book launch in a castle, via an astonishing place. I've driven past the turning to Arthur's Stone many a time. Had I known before that it was, with its riven capstone, the inspiration for C S Lewis's sceen of sacrifive in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe I would have visited before. Things happen at the right time though. High on a hill with views of the borderlands and well into Wales it is a place of peace and strength. We lingered, resting awhile beneath the weight of the stone, as a small wren stitched its myths through a dense hedge and overhead raven flew and a red kite surveyed its territory of land and sky. I need to go back, see the sun come up or the daylight fade there, listen. The patterns of lichen, small forests of moss, utterly beautiful. And the patterns of flight also. A fine place to listen to the birds. We were heading to Hay for the launch of Sarn Helen by Tom Bullough. I had illustrated this wonderful book, during a very difficult time, finding peace in the process of ink grinding and sacred geometry while living in a basement in Hammersmith, looking after my Child. The launch was in Hay Castle, and it was the first full moon since our launch of Wild Folk. Beautiful moonlight. The crowd gathered were wonderful, and it was great to see the enthusiasm for Tom's book, a curious collection of travel writing, climate science, myth and history, but mostly a love song to the world centred on Wales and a plea to rise in active hope. I know Seven Fables have copies. I am hoping Solva Wollen Mill will get some too. Before we set off Tamsin and I spent a short time in her studio. Much of the morning was spent in conversation with John, of Unbound and Backlisted fame, as we have been having some problems with The Unwinding Cards and are fire fighting trying to push through to publication stage so they aren't delayed and will be out for Christmas. Another meeting on Monday should push these forward. Really looking forward to having them to send out. Tamsin showed me work she had been making for two things: first the story of the Black Fox, in Wild Folk. Second is for something connected to Wild Folk that we are working on. I have a question for you. Who remembers the Puffin Club? And another question. If we were to suggest an enamelled badge, for a Wild Folk Club, who might be interested? We need to have an answer, as we want to work out whether to design this as a pledge level ( don't worry if you have pledged already, because we will let you know how you can upgrade, if we go ahead- but we all, Tamsin, John and myself, love the idea of building a Wild Folk community). First would be a Wild Folk badge, but we also like the idea of having selkie, raven, black fox etc badges. At the moment we are checking out prices, but if you could let us know by commenting on this post, who else is a badge freak, like us, who remembers the Puffin Club and who would like to have a Wild Folk badge if we can make this happen? Below is the suggested piece for a Black Fox badge. This, because of the story, is the one I am most passionate about. She's a fierce and wild one, the Black Fox, a protection from harm. Home now, settling in to work for a few weeks, shape shifting and feeding the birds. I have maps to work on for Nicola Davies and birds to paint. Hoping to have news soon of a Wild Folk event with Tamsin, somewhere very special. So much happening this year, but I need to settle my soul into shapeshifting and flight. Aiming to go to another burial chamber this week. Look forward to hearing from you, friends and Wild Folk.

Snowdrops are colouring the verges and edges, blooming under hedges, small snowdrifts of blossoms. I am home after a few days away, looking after my mum, taking her shopping, spending time in her company, then signing 1500 books in a warehouse for Otter Barry Books, and on to Tamsin's for a couple of days that included quiet time in her garden listening to the language of birds and a book launch in a castle, via an astonishing place.

I've driven past the turning to Arthur's Stone many a time. Had I known before that it was, with its riven capstone, the inspiration for C S Lewis's sceen of sacrifive in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe I would have visited before. Things happen at the right time though. High on a hill with views of the borderlands and well into Wales it is a place of peace and strength. We lingered, resting awhile beneath the weight of the stone, as a small wren stitched its myths through a dense hedge and overhead raven flew and a red kite surveyed its territory of land and sky.


 <img alt="" class="doksoft_image_img" src="/images/18840/preview/medium" width="500" height="375">



 <img alt="" class="doksoft_image_img" src="/images/18841/preview/medium" width="500" height="375">



 <img alt="" class="doksoft_image_img" src="/images/18842/preview/medium" width="500" height="375">


I need to go back, see the sun come up or the daylight fade there, listen. The patterns of lichen, small forests of moss, utterly beautiful. And the patterns of flight also. A fine place to listen to the birds.

We were heading to Hay for the launch of Sarn Helen by Tom Bullough. I had illustrated this wonderful book, during a very difficult time, finding peace in the process of ink grinding and sacred geometry while living in a basement in Hammersmith, looking after my Child. The launch was in Hay Castle, and it was the first full moon since our launch of Wild Folk. Beautiful moonlight. The crowd gathered were wonderful, and it was great to see the enthusiasm for Tom's book, a curious collection of travel writing, climate science, myth and history, but mostly a love song to the world centred on Wales and a plea to rise in active hope.


 <img alt="" class="doksoft_image_img" src="/images/18843/preview/medium" width="375" height="500">



 <img alt="" class="doksoft_image_img" src="/images/18844/preview/medium" width="500" height="375">



 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/T2.jpg?v=1690916461" width="500" height="281">


I know Seven Fables have copies. I am hoping Solva Wollen Mill will get some too. 

Before we set off Tamsin and I spent a short time in her studio. Much of the morning was spent in conversation with John, of Unbound and Backlisted fame, as we have been having some problems with <a href="https://unbound.com/books/the-unwinding-cards/">The Unwinding Cards</a> and are fire fighting trying to push through to publication stage so they aren't delayed and will be out for Christmas. Another meeting on Monday should push these forward. Really looking forward to having them to send out.

Tamsin showed me work she had been making for two things: first the story of the Black Fox, in Wild Folk.


 <img alt="" class="doksoft_image_img" src="/images/18846/preview/medium" width="375" height="500">



 <img alt="" class="doksoft_image_img" src="/images/18847/preview/medium" width="500" height="375">



 <img alt="" class="doksoft_image_img" src="/images/18848/preview/medium" width="500" height="375">


Second is for something connected to Wild Folk that we are working on. I have a question for you. Who remembers the Puffin Club? And another question. If we were to suggest an enamelled badge, for a Wild Folk Club, who might be interested? We need to have an answer, as we want to work out whether to design this as a pledge level ( don't worry if you have pledged already, because we will let you know how you can upgrade, if we go ahead- but we all, Tamsin, John and myself, love the idea of building a Wild Folk community). First would be a Wild Folk badge, but we also like the idea of having selkie, raven, black fox etc badges. At the moment we are checking out prices, but if you could let us know by commenting on this post, who else is a badge freak, like us, who remembers the Puffin Club and who would like to have a Wild Folk badge if we can make this happen? Below is the suggested piece for a Black Fox badge. This, because of the story, is the one I am most passionate about. She's a fierce and wild one, the Black Fox, a protection from harm.


 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_0254.jpg?v=1690916462" width="375" height="500">


Home now, settling in to work for a few weeks, shape shifting and feeding the birds. I have maps to work on for Nicola Davies and birds to paint. Hoping to have news soon of a Wild Folk event with Tamsin, somewhere very special. So much happening this year, but I need to settle my soul into shapeshifting and flight. Aiming to go to another burial chamber this week. Look forward to hearing from you, friends and Wild Folk.

February: slow progress, burial chambers, peace and a wren.

So today was one of those days where I was blessed with the vision of a hare whilst out on my walk. An actual hare not just a vision in my mind! On days like this where the Wild Folk cross paths with us we walk a little lighter and the things that trouble us may recede whilst dreams come to the fore. When I arrived back at my workshop I made this little film of introduction and thanks. Thank you all for joining us and beginning to grow this new Wild Folk community

So today was one of those days where I was blessed with the vision of a hare whilst out on my walk. An actual hare not just a vision in my mind! On days like this where the Wild Folk cross paths with us we walk a little lighter and the things that trouble us may recede whilst dreams come to the fore. When I arrived back at my workshop I made this little film of introduction and thanks. Thank you all for joining us and beginning to grow this new Wild Folk community<img alt="" class="doksoft_image_img" height="375" src="/images/18797/preview/medium" width="500"><img alt class="doksoft_image_img" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_0364_bc48e925-5524-41e9-b9ab-1f9384c5cabd.jpg?v=1690916466" width="500" height="375">

Hello from Herefordshire

The glories of glass. The colour selection is complete. I matt the surface of the glass with a black glaze or 'trace paint' and scratch back to discover the design that magically transfers itself from Jackie's words, through the visual images growing in my mind and into the surface of the paint, revealing the colours of the glass below. The main elements of the design are decided before I cut the glass but the details are rough and sketchy, I develop them and research as I go along. The painted pieces are fired in a kiln to about 660 degrees centigrade. I then need to fit them together in the tradtional way using lead 'cames' which are soldered together at the joins. After soldering the leads together I get my first look at the panel as a complete work against the light. The panel then has to be 'cemented'. That is glazing cement is pushed into all the lead work to ensure that the glass is secure, tightly fitted and waterproof. Whiting, a chalk like substance, is spread over the panel to absorb the surplus cement and then brushed off. Finally the leads are cleaned with wire wool and then a finish of grate polish is applied and buffed up. And HURRAH! The panel is completed! I wonder how much of the story you can read in here?...... Keep an eye out for our next update with some exciting news about badges! Go well, Wild Folk, Tamsin x

The glories of glass.  The colour selection is complete. I matt the surface of the glass with a black glaze or 'trace paint' and scratch back to discover the design that magically transfers itself from Jackie's words, through the visual images growing in my mind and into the surface of the paint, revealing the colours of the glass below.  The main elements of the design are decided before I cut the glass but the details are rough and sketchy, I develop them and research as I go along.


 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="375" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_0429_2.jpg?v=1690916469" width="500">



 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="375" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_0469_2.jpg?v=1690916469" width="500">



 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="375" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_0474_2.jpg?v=1690916469" width="500">



 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="375" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_0501.jpg?v=1690916470" width="500">



 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="356" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_0786.jpg?v=1690916469" width="500">



 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="375" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_0809.jpg?v=1690916470" width="500">



 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="357" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_1015.jpg?v=1690916470" width="500">


The painted pieces are fired in a kiln to about 660 degrees centigrade.  I then need to fit them together in the tradtional way using lead 'cames' which are soldered together at the joins.<img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="375" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_1035.jpg?v=1690916470" width="500">


 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="375" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_1041.jpg?v=1690916470" width="500">



 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="500" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_1123.jpg?v=1690916470" width="375">


After soldering the leads together I get my first look at the panel as a complete work against the light.


 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="500" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_1084.jpg?v=1690916469" width="375">


The panel then has to be 'cemented'.  That is glazing cement is pushed into all the lead work to ensure that the glass is secure, tightly fitted and waterproof.


 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="500" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_1156.jpg?v=1690916469" width="375">



 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="500" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_1163.jpg?v=1690916470" width="375">


Whiting, a chalk like substance, is spread over the panel to absorb the surplus cement and then brushed off.


 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="500" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_1189.jpg?v=1690916470" width="375">



 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="500" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_1213.jpg?v=1690916469" width="375">


Finally the leads are cleaned with wire wool and then a finish of grate polish is applied and buffed up.<img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="500" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_1276.jpg?v=1690916469" width="375">


 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="500" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_1278.jpg?v=1690916469" width="375">


And HURRAH! The panel is completed! I wonder how much of the story you can read in here?......


 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" height="375" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/IMG_1316_fff6a00c-734d-4bb5-905e-7df8549b333f.jpg?v=1690916470" width="500">


Keep an eye out for our next update with some exciting news about badges!

Go well, Wild Folk,

Tamsin x

How it grows..... An insight for subscribers only.

When I was a kid we didn't have many books at home, nor much money to buy books. At the time, as a child, I knew little about publishers, or publishing. When I had money to buy books I would go to W H Smiths, who sold magazines, stationary, and books. And I always knew the books with the little bird on the spine were good. Alan Garner, Watership Down, Tarka the Otter, these are the few I remember, but I remember clearly that symbol, and also the Puffin Club. How I envied kids at school who sported those enamel badges. I still carry that child inside me, along with all the ages I have ever been, and she rises to the surface with delight at the sight of an enamel badge. So, Tamsin and I got to talking, about growing a community of supporters for Wild Folk. We have a desire to do more than just get people to pledge so our book will be published. We would like to draw people together. We are hoping to do events in support of teh book as it grows, share process with supporters, and also share the wild work of others working in different fields, woods, mountains and the same. And so, to the delight of the small child me, Tamsin is creating a series of 7 enamel badges, one for each tale, AND we have a Wild Folk badge, with lettering by Stephen Raw, and amazing calligrapher. Do take a look at his work. His lettering is just amazing. I first met him when we worked together . Tamsin has done all the work on this one, from design to sourcing what we hope is the best enamel pin service. We had help with this from an artist known as SinEater. His advice was that the pin people we have chosen to go to might be a bit more expensive, but they are the best he has used. ( It is always good, but sometimes unusual when people share such info). Do take a look at his instagram account. It is light and life and death and tradition and deeply rooted in wildness. So, at the moment we will jus have the two badges, but Tamsin will work on the other six as the book developes. Above is the only visuals we have of them so far. I will post images as soon as I have them. You can upgrade a pledge. Follow this link to see how to upgrade, and if you have problems ask teh Unbound site for help. They will guide you through. https://unbound.gorgias.help/en-US/can-i-upgrade-my-reward-level-209017 I always panic and don't read things properly when doing stuff like this, so understand that it can be difficult. I am working on the Black Fox story now, so that Tamsin can continue to illustrate it, and she is looking at Wayland, a longer and more finished piece about the man who crafted Excalibur, his swan bride, and the courage of a wren. We hope badges delight your hearts, as they do ours. I must get back to the bird book now. Today I am gilding great skuas and hoping for clear weather to walk on the beach at low tide. Thinking of taking a stone to leave as a gift, for the sea, or whoever finds it. Tell me, what were your favourite books as a child; fiction, non fiction, classics, adventure ( I loved all the Willard Price books- guilty pleasure at a young age, but also, My Friend Flicka, The Green Grass of Wyoming, Call of the Wild, Watership Down, Alan Graner's strange tales and Susan Cooper's books. But also a book called The Runaways, about a boy and a cheetah).

When I was a kid we didn't have many books at home, nor much money to buy books. At the time, as a child, I knew little about publishers, or publishing. When I had money to buy books I would go to W H Smiths, who sold magazines, stationary, and books. And I always knew the books with the little bird on the spine were good. Alan Garner, Watership Down, Tarka the Otter, these are the few I remember, but I remember clearly that symbol, and also the Puffin Club. How I envied kids at school who sported those enamel badges.

I still carry that child inside me, along with all the ages I have ever been, and she rises to the surface with delight at the sight of an enamel badge. So, Tamsin and I got to talking, about growing a community of supporters for Wild Folk. We have a desire to do more than just get people to pledge so our book will be published. We would like to draw people together. We are hoping to do events in support of teh book as it grows, share process with supporters, and also share the wild work of others working in different fields, woods, mountains and the same. And so, to the delight of the small child me, Tamsin is creating a series of 7 enamel badges, one for each tale, AND we have a Wild Folk badge, with lettering by <a href="http://www.stephenraw.com/">Stephen Raw</a>, and amazing calligrapher. Do take a look at his work. His lettering is just amazing. I first met him when we worked together .<img alt class="doksoft_image_img" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/hobb2.jpg?v=1690916473" width="316" height="500">

 

Tamsin has done all the work on this one, from design to sourcing what we hope is the best enamel pin service. We had help with this from an artist known as <a href="https://sineater.bigcartel.com/">SinEater.</a> His advice was that the pin people we have chosen to go to might be a bit more expensive, but they are the best he has used. ( It is always good, but sometimes unusual when people share such info). Do take a look at his instagram account. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sineateruk/">It is light and life and death and tradition and deeply rooted in wildness.</a>

So, at the moment we will jus have the two badges, but Tamsin will work on the other six as the book developes.


 <img alt class="doksoft_image_img" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/Screen_Shot_2023-03-23_at_08.29.14.png?v=1690916473" width="500" height="265">


Above is the only visuals we have of them so far. I will post images as soon as I have them. You can upgrade a pledge. Follow this link to see how to upgrade, and if you have problems ask teh Unbound site for help. They will guide you through.


 <a href="https://unbound.gorgias.help/en-US/can-i-upgrade-my-reward-level-209017">https://unbound.gorgias.help/en-US/can-i-upgrade-my-reward-level-209017</a>


I always panic and don't read things properly when doing stuff like this, so understand that it can be difficult. 

I am working on the Black Fox story now, so that Tamsin can continue to illustrate it, and she is looking at Wayland, a longer and more finished piece about the man who crafted Excalibur, his swan bride, and the courage of a wren.

We hope badges delight your hearts, as they do ours. I must get back to the bird book now. Today I am gilding great skuas and hoping for clear weather to walk on the beach at low tide. Thinking of taking a stone to leave as a gift, for the sea, or whoever finds it.  Tell me, what were your favourite books as a child; fiction, non fiction, classics, adventure ( I loved all the Willard Price books- guilty pleasure at a young age, but also, My Friend Flicka, The Green Grass of Wyoming, Call of the Wild, Watership Down, Alan Graner's strange tales and Susan Cooper's books. But also a book called The Runaways, about a boy and a cheetah).

New Pledge Levels: Badges!!!!!!!

To thank you for your amazing support Tamsin and I are hoping to add, now and again, subscriber only content. This is the first update. There's a story in Wild Folk about a White Raven. They have been a passion of mine for a while. Rare, so rare. Some years ago, on my birthday, I saw one. What a gift from the wild it was. This is a spell I wrote, with a hopeful heart, a lure, a wish. Recorded in my home, on iPhone, in between cooking supper and work.

To thank you for your amazing support Tamsin and I are hoping to add, now and again, subscriber only content. This is the first update. 

There's a story in Wild Folk about a White Raven. They have been a passion of mine for a while. Rare, so rare. Some years ago, on my birthday, I saw one. What a gift from the wild it was. This is a spell I wrote, with a hopeful heart, a lure, a wish. Recorded in my home, on iPhone, in between cooking supper and work.

The True Story of a White Raven

Aliya Gulamani

As work progresses on Wild Folk Tamsin and I got talking. There’s this thing in the book trade called a Blad (I asked John Mitchinson what that stands for and it is Book Layout and Design) So, here we are at the stage of making a blad and instead of it being just a kind of throw away thing we want to make something beautiful. This is a thing that is used to approach bookshops, galleries and booksellers. Kind of like a sample. But we want it to be so much more. After many a meeting, which usually went in all kinds of strange directions, we decided to make a blad out of a whole story from the book, fully designed and illustrated. 100 copies for sale, signed and limited edition. The kind of thing that could become an investment. The kind of thing for book collectors. We are making these available via the site as one of the rewards and it will be sent out in early December, in time for Advent and Christmas. If it is something that people want. These won’t be for sale anywhere else, each will be signed and numbered by both of us. The chosen story is ‘Wayland’, about a man who loves a swan maiden, who makes the most beautiful things, including a sword of power to bring peace. Jackie

<div style="text-align: center;"><meta charset="UTF-8"></div>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cz9mAai8DdQ?si=Akbk5CmEvI-1Cb7i" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> 
As work progresses on Wild Folk Tamsin and I got talking. There’s this thing in the book trade called a Blad (I asked John Mitchinson what that stands for and it is Book Layout and Design) So, here we are at the stage of making a blad and instead of it being just a kind of throw away thing we want to make something beautiful. This is a thing that is used to approach bookshops, galleries and booksellers. Kind of like a sample. But we want it to be so much more. 
<img src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/wildfolk2_480x480.jpg?v=1710418643" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="259" height="389">
<img src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/Screenshot_2024-03-13_at_13.33.26_480x480.png?v=1710418666" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="378" height="268">
<img src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/Screenshot_2024-03-13_at_13.38.37_480x480.png?v=1710418690" alt="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="374" height="270">
After many a meeting, which usually went in all kinds of strange directions, we decided to make a blad out of a whole story from the book, fully designed and illustrated. 100 copies for sale, signed and limited edition. The kind of thing that could become an investment. The kind of thing for book collectors. We are making these available via the site as one of the rewards and it will be sent out in early December, in time for Advent and Christmas. If it is something that people want. 
These won’t be for sale anywhere else, each will be signed and numbered by both of us. The chosen story is ‘Wayland’, about a man who loves a swan maiden, who makes the most beautiful things, including a sword of power to bring peace. 
Jackie
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/Wayland_Image_1_480x480.jpg?v=1710418745" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="354" height="213">

Wild Folk: The Blad

Imogen Denny

It’s a curious thing when you begin to move towards the end of a book. You’ve worked away quietly for months. In this case, the venture has been shared with Tamsin, and we’ve bounced ideas back and forth. A collaboration. I sent her sound files as words threaded together. She sent me images. Then we handed them over to editors and the designer. Unbound were very generous in allowing us to help choose a designer. This isn’t normal. Usually in publishing you get who you are given. Both Tamsin and I love the book The Cosmic Dance by Stephen Ellcock, both the book and the design of it. Wild Folk will be the same format as this book, and we managed to secure the same designer, Daniel Streat. It’s still an act of faith, when you’ve not worked with someone, to see how they will take the words, the images, and make them sing. I wish now we had recorded the first meeting we had, when Dan had begun to work on the book. Better still, I wish I had recorded my reaction to opening the first pdf . . . but maybe best not. There were many expletives. All very positive. So exciting. So beautiful. Dan not only read the words of the stories, and really looked at the images, but he had watched our film and listened to how the stories linked. He understood the light and the dark, and the presentation he sent us . . . well, I’d never seen anything like it before. I don’t want to write more, I'm just too excited and want you to see what he has done! There were two covers that really stood out. They were too hard to choose between, and greedily we requested that for subscribers, could we please have a dust jacket, unencumbered by our names and titles etc, to wrap around the book’s casing. And Unbound said yes!!!!!!! So now, for subscribers only we have an exclusive dust jacket, the cloak: Which will enclose the portal: With much excitement, Jackie and Tamsin

It’s a curious thing when you begin to move towards the end of a book. You’ve worked away quietly for months. In this case, the venture has been shared with Tamsin, and we’ve bounced ideas back and forth. A collaboration. I sent her sound files as words threaded together. She sent me images. Then we handed them over to editors and the designer.
Unbound were very generous in allowing us to help choose a designer. This isn’t normal. Usually in publishing you get who you are given. Both Tamsin and I love the book <a href="https://thamesandhudson.com/the-cosmic-dance-finding-patterns-and-pathways-in-a-chaotic-universe-9780500252536" target="_blank" title="The Cosmic Dance by Stephen Ellcock" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Cosmic Dance</a> by Stephen Ellcock, both the book and the design of it. 
Wild Folk will be the same format as this book, and we managed to secure the same designer, <a href="https://danielstreat.com/" target="_blank" title="Daniel Streat's website" rel="noopener noreferrer">Daniel Streat</a>.
It’s still an act of faith, when you’ve not worked with someone, to see how they will take the words, the images, and make them sing.
I wish now we had recorded the first meeting we had, when Dan had begun to work on the book. Better still, I wish I had recorded my reaction to opening the first pdf . . . but maybe best not. There were many expletives. All very positive. So exciting. So beautiful.
Dan not only read the words of the stories, and really looked at the images, but he had watched our film and listened to how the stories linked. He understood the light and the dark, and the presentation he sent us . . . well, I’d never seen anything like it before. 
I don’t want to write more, I'm just too excited and want you to see what he has done!
There were two covers that really stood out. They were too hard to choose between, and greedily we requested that for subscribers, could we please have a dust jacket, unencumbered by our names and titles etc, to wrap around the book’s casing. And Unbound said yes!!!!!!! So now, for subscribers only we have an exclusive dust jacket, the cloak: <img src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/240813_WF_cloak_grey-bg_480x480.jpg?v=1723558384" alt="" data-mce-fragment="1" data-mce-src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/240813_WF_cloak_grey-bg_480x480.jpg?v=1723558384"> 
Which will enclose the portal: <img src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/240813_WF_cover_grey-bg_480x480.jpg?v=1723558396" alt="" data-mce-fragment="1" data-mce-src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/240813_WF_cover_grey-bg_480x480.jpg?v=1723558396"> 
With much excitement, 
Jackie and Tamsin

Wild Folk: A Cloak and a Portal

Issy issy@unbound.co.uk

Since the reveal of the cover for Wild Folk, and the news that subscribers will receive an exclusive ‘cloak’ or dust jacket for their pre-ordered copy, we have seen another huge surge in numbers of goodly folk pledging for our book. The two activities of creating a book and reading a book can be solitary pursuits. For me the co-creation of Wild Folk with Unbound as our publisher has been the most cooperative work I have probably been involved in for years. The book itself is collaboration between Jackie Morris and myself but it would not have come into existence without the presence and support of John Mitchinson who was there before the beginning. Most recently we have been joined by the incredible designer, Daniel Streat, who has taken our words and images and is bringing them into an enhanced reality that we know you are going to love. But the backbone of all of this is our Wild Folk community. All of you who have pledged for a copy of the book from those who helped us nourish the tiny seed of our Wild Folk creation back in January 2024, to all the many visionaries that we have gathered along the way. The destination is now certain, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who is part of Wild Folk. In my head I see us all as a stream of people following the characters and stories across a beautiful, wild landscape, both real and imagined. We walk together with chalk-white dusty feet along the Ridgeway, people streaming ahead and behind, chatting and laughing, and singing and playing music. We travel under wide Hebridean skies to see the wonders of Callanish and hear the mythical cuckoo and the shining one call us. But although the distances are long, we never grow weary, for amongst our number there are wonderful cooks, clever navigators, carers and survivors, and we all help each other to see and hear and feel the wonder. Those who wish to may swim in the salty sea where the seal people live, and the air makes way for the haunting sound of curlew and the voices of ravens. Others may choose to sit on the sand and knit a magical garment made of all the wonders of the sea whilst others sleep serenaded by owls and nightingales. And sometimes we may gather together around many fires and take comfort in one another’s company when the stag bellows and the fox barks and we look to the nature of our own shape shift. Many of our pledges have sold out but we continue to think of new additions to our exciting collection. We have a new poster pledge, and we will shortly be revealing the seven designs for the badge set which I now like to think of as pilgrim badges. In the medieval period pilgrimages to shrines or holy wells were the popular way to holiday and travel the land whilst also saving ones own soul or praying for loved ones or special requests. Along the way, or at the destination, pilgrim badges were sold as souvenirs so that others could see what pilgrimages you were on or had been on. These took many forms, including birds and animals, and I see our badges as fitting quite neatly into this format as a kind of Wild Folk pilgrimage set. Writing, illustrating and reading are a little like making a pilgrimage. Time spent in a book is so often well spent, and we hope this is what you will feel as you follow the pathways of our stories, like pilgrims. Thank you for joining us. - Tamsin

Since the reveal of the cover for Wild Folk, and the news that subscribers will receive an exclusive ‘cloak’ or dust jacket for their pre-ordered copy, we have seen another huge surge in numbers of goodly folk pledging for our book. 
<img src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/Callanish_480x480.jpg?v=1725356528" alt="" data-mce-src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/Callanish_480x480.jpg?v=1725356528">
The two activities of creating a book and reading a book can be solitary pursuits. For me the co-creation of Wild Folk with Unbound as our publisher has been the most cooperative work I have probably been involved in for years. The book itself is collaboration between Jackie Morris and myself but it would not have come into existence without the presence and support of John Mitchinson who was there before the beginning. Most recently we have been joined by the incredible designer, Daniel Streat, who has taken our words and images and is bringing them into an enhanced reality that we know you are going to love. 
<meta charset="utf-8"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/Tam_John_Jack_Dan_480x480.jpg?v=1725356739" data-mce-selected="1" data-mce-src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/Tam_John_Jack_Dan_480x480.jpg?v=1725356739">
But the backbone of all of this is our Wild Folk community. All of you who have pledged for a copy of the book from those who helped us nourish the tiny seed of our Wild Folk creation back in January 2024, to all the many visionaries that we have gathered along the way.  
The destination is now certain, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who is part of Wild Folk. In my head I see us all as a stream of people following the characters and stories across a beautiful, wild landscape, both real and imagined.  
<img src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/The_Ridgeway_480x480.jpg?v=1725356645" alt="" data-mce-src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/The_Ridgeway_480x480.jpg?v=1725356645">
We walk together with chalk-white dusty feet along the Ridgeway, people streaming ahead and behind, chatting and laughing, and singing and playing music. 
We travel under wide Hebridean skies to see the wonders of Callanish and hear the mythical cuckoo and the shining one call us. But although the distances are long, we never grow weary, for amongst our number there are wonderful cooks, clever navigators, carers and survivors, and we all help each other to see and hear and feel the wonder. 
Those who wish to may swim in the salty sea where the seal people live, and the air makes way for the haunting sound of curlew and the voices of ravens. Others may choose to sit on the sand and knit a magical garment made of all the wonders of the sea whilst others sleep serenaded by owls and nightingales. 
And sometimes we may gather together around many fires and take comfort in one another’s company when the stag bellows and the fox barks and we look to the nature of our own shape shift.
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/Round_the_fire_1_480x480.jpg?v=1725356855">
Many of our pledges have sold out but we continue to think of new additions to our exciting collection. We have a new poster pledge, and we will shortly be revealing the seven designs for the badge set which I now like to think of as pilgrim badges. In the medieval period pilgrimages to shrines or holy wells were the popular way to holiday and travel the land whilst also saving ones own soul or praying for loved ones or special requests. Along the way, or at the destination, pilgrim badges were sold as souvenirs so that others could see what pilgrimages you were on or had been on. These took many forms, including birds and animals, and I see our badges as fitting quite neatly into this format as a kind of Wild Folk pilgrimage set. 
Writing, illustrating and reading are a little like making a pilgrimage. Time spent in a book is so often well spent, and we hope this is what you will feel as you follow the pathways of our stories, like pilgrims.
Thank you for joining us.
- Tamsin
<meta charset="utf-8"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/Glass_for_Pilgrim_badges_480x480.jpg?v=1725356589" data-mce-selected="1" data-mce-src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0728/3615/3620/files/Glass_for_Pilgrim_badges_480x480.jpg?v=1725356589">

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