Folk, fiddling, and frolics
I shall be playing violin for Swing Rioters this weekend - a 7.30 pm set as part of this free shanty festival in Weston Super Mare. I’m only an occasional Swing Rioter - I’ve sung backing vocals for them and played viola for them a few times in the past, but the electric fiddle is a better match for what they do, and they don’t have a full time fiddle player at the moment.
In other folk related news, I’m making good progress on The Folk Of Gloucester short story anthology. There’s some great content come in for that, and a surprisingly consistent tone and vibe is emerging across the pieces. The Folk has a strong, whimsical, magical character and that clearly speaks to a lot of people.
Otherwise I’m working on things I promised to write for people, as that had backed up rather. So, essays for non-fic anthologies are under way, I’ve got some poetry to write, and Dr Abbey has requested a story. I’ve also successfully pitched to Romancing the Gothic to do a talk in 2025, which I’m excited about. I’m trying to get the book-housekeeping done while I’m shifting between major projects.
Over on the Hopeless, Maine blog we’ve got a wonderful new tale from Keith Errington https://hopeless-maine.co.uk/2024/07/28/pin-the-tail/ If you aren’t wise in the ways of Hopeless, Maine, this is fiction with steampunk, gothic, cosy cosmic horror kind of vibes. Comedy folk horror, twisted whimsy, that sort of thing. My father writes a regular Tuesday column and my child hits the social media for the project every Wednesday with scientific observations from James Weaslegrease. We get other contributors too, and I’m always delighted to host new people.
On the Druid Life blog I’ve posted about the magic of sleep, issues of identity and change, breathing in meditation and I’ve pondered how you tell if you’re the bad guy in a situation, or not - https://druidlife.wordpress.com/2024/07/28/am-i-the-bad-guy/
Otherwise, the main focus is Heart Festival at the end of the month - which is in a gorgeous venue. There’s a wonderful array of stuff, I’m especially looking forward to opportunities to do some Qui Gon, and 5 rhythms dancing as I’ve not done either since before covid.