Book Review: Kitchen Witchcraft, By Rachel Patterson.

Kitchen Witchcraft, By Rachel Patterson.

This book is part of the Moon Book collection called "Pagan Portals" 

On the surface you might think that this book has nothing to offer the experienced craft practitioner but I can guarantee that there will be a nugget of gold to be found by all who read it

As I have come to expect of a book published by Moon Books, this book is well presented and well written, the author has a personable style and writes with familiarity over formality, a quality I enjoy in this kind of book. The reader feels as though they have popped in for a cuppa at Rachel's house and are being given a little tour of her kitchen and garden. 

I would recommend this book to those taking there first steps into kitchen craft as it is in my option one of the better guides available, and for others with more experience in kitchen craft I would still recommend it, especially if they own other Pagan Portals books and wanted to add to their collection.

This book should live somewhere easy to reach, once you start using these techniques for a more Magickal life you will dip back into these pages again and again. 

20 Questions with Author, Mel Massey

Ok guy & gals... Here it is, the very first Small Songs - 20 Questions Interview...

Thanks must go to Author Mel Massey for being our first interviewee

Her book Getaway is available on www.Amazon.com from today!

Synopsis: When Lisa goes to visit her parents, she comes home to an empty house. Or so she thinks. As a storm rages outside, Lisa tries to getaway from something unknown that's hiding in the shadows.

 20 Questions

1. What are you best known for? 

 Well, I don’t think I’m known for much just yet! However, I am the witch that writes about witches, magick and all things paranormal. The witches that are the most important in EARTH’S MAGICK are gray witches and that’s fun and unique to write about. 

 2. How did you get involved in your line of work? 

I’ve been writing for years. I’ve only recently plucked up the courage to let others read it. 

3. What advice would you give someone just starting out in the same line of work? 

To simply write their story. Whatever that is, just write it. Worry about all the other stuff later on. Get it on paper first then make a plan for it. 

4. What was your last project? 

GETAWAY, the short scary story for Halloween/Samhain is my last completed project. I’m currently writing book two in the EARTH’S MAGICK series. But I’ve come to love writing short stories as well. I’ll be putting out a few companion novellas in between novels. 

5. What’s next? 

More EARTH’S MAGICK, novellas and possibly some short stories as they pop up. 

6. Name a person in the same line of work as you who you admire. 

Oh, that’s an easy one, Anne Rice. We all know her books, love them or hate them she’s amazing at her craft. More importantly, she’s a huge supporter of other writers. She’s an advocate of indie publishing and human rights. She’s just an all-around fabulous woman. I sent her an email, after I signed with my publisher, thanking her for her constant encouragement of fledgling writers. Ms. Rice has put out YouTube videos and interviews all full of advice for us newbie writers – and I watched every single one of them. I thanked her for that and do you know what? She wrote me back. She congratulated me and wished me all the luck in the world. I genuinely love that beautiful lady. 

7. What one thing would you do if you knew that you could not fail? 

Write a screen play. I looked into it because, for a while, I had a few ideas for a movie. I gave up after I saw what an overwhelming undertaking that is. Sheesh…those people deserve all kinds of credit. 

8. How do you want to be remembered? 

As the witch that wrote about witches and held nothing back while doing it. 

9. What do you love/enjoy most about your work? 

I think writers write because we have to. We have imaginary friends pounding on the inside of our minds just fighting to live the imaginary life we plan to give them. I love that the most. The constant conversations with my imaginary friends. 

10. What was the strangest or funniest incident you’ve experienced

Oh goodness, I surround myself with the super strange. But if we’re talking about my writing life, I’d have to say the editing process of one of my books. My editor, Kate, left the BEST editorial notes. Sometimes a simple, “SNORT” at funny parts but once, I wrote, “Her face melted into pure joy.” To which Kate responds, “EWWWW”. I laughed for real when I read that and realized what she was trying to tell me. Her EXPRESSION melted into that of pure joy. If her face actually melted, well, that’s a plot twist! 

11. What do you do in your spare time?

I’m a mother of two very active kids so I write while they’re at school and then play chauffer, soccer mom, football mom, etc. for the rest of the evening. 

12. Who inspires you?

Not really a who but a what- Being able to freely practice as a witch gives me the most inspiration. Every time I light incense, candle or spend time in meditation I feel revived and ready to write. 

13. Describe yourself in 3 words 

Witty, Passionate and Impulsive 

14. Favourite colour

Green, but deep, earthy green. 

15. If you could have dinner with any 3 people alive or dead who would they be? 

I love this question. This one is easy; Bill Maher, Jon Stewart and Anne Rice. What a merry dinner that would be! 

16. What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

Leftovers, lots of carrots (not sure why), almost empty milk, almost empty juice and cheese. I need to shop… 

17. What is the last book you read? 

SHE by H. R. Haggard (My favorite) 

18. What is next to your bed at the moment? 

A pile of clean laundry. 

19. What would your one “can’t live without it” item be?

Oh gosh…..coffee. If I can’t have coffee in the morning the entire day just sucks. Of course, the same could be said for wine in the evening. If I don’t have wine my nights are all stress and chaos. 

And finally...

20. Favourite Season Spring. 

I love the spring time colors and green everywhere. 

So there you have it... Mel Massey in a nut shell, but if you want to find out more about Mel or her books then please head on over to her facebook page and give her a big thumbs up. Also remember that her recent project Getaway is available for only 77p on Kindle and includes a free sneek peek at her next book Earth's Magick too!

If you would like to be interviewed for the Small Songs Blog then you can contact Arietta here or at her facebook page

Book Review: A Deed Without A Name: Unearthing the Legacy of Traditional Witchcraft

A Deed Without A Name: Unearthing the Legacy of Traditional Witchcraft

By Lee Morgan

Reviewed by Arietta

( www.facebook.com/Arietta.smallsongs )

I was unsure what to expect of this book.... 

As a Wiccan, I was worried that this book might just be a dig at those of us whose traditions do not have an unbroken lineage to trace back though. However, thankfully and surprise, my fears were unfounded, and this book turned out to be a real find!

"A Deed Without A Name" is in fact a delightful mix of historical and anecdotal tales, sharing information on the origins of the Witch in every form, including a look at the misuse of the word and what the word can mean to different people.

The bestiary section was an especially interesting read giving an insight into the many and varied "creatures of the night" which have been recorded and connected with tales of witches.

The author has drawn on the writings of Eva Pocs, Emma Wilby & Carlos Ginzburg, to name a few, and has put their work into her framework and context,  building upon it to great effect.

Whilst the £11.99 price tag for a paperback of less than 200 pages might seem a bit much for some, I find that the collected knowledge within those pages is honestly priceless and I would recommend anyone with an interest in the craft of the wise to take a look at this book. Be you a seeker or a sage you will find something new in here.

    

A Deed Without A Name: Unearthing the Legacy of Traditional Witchcraft is available from Amazon worldwide

Book Review: Journey to the Dark Goddess - How to Return to Your Soul

As promised and in a refreshing change from blathering on about the books and projects I am working on, I have recently been given the opportunity to read some other people work and I would like to take the time to share this experience with you...

First up was "Journey to the Dark Goddess" by Jane Meredith.

This is a book which is long overdue, being one which takes the sometimes scary concepts of looking within oneself, of the long dark night of the soul and of the Dark Goddess herself and puts them in an accessible but beautifully written book.

 I could not put it down and devoured it in a couple of days. I then went back and read it again in a more piecemeal fashion, dipping in and out of gloriously enveloping and descriptive stories of ancient Goddesses and Jane Meredith's easy to follow rituals. Rituals which I felt had a strong grounding in reality whilst still being wonderfully mysterious and magical.

I enjoyed the layout of the book too, it being split into four sections each dealing with a different stage of the journey 

I really don't want to say too much more as the authors words speak to the reader of a deeply personal amd individual level... but I highly recommend you grab a copy for yourself...The author bares all and dares the reader to do the same!

"Journey to the Dark Goddess" is published by Moon Books and is available in paperback and ebook.

  

Woo hooo! Another successful book give away!

To celebrate getting over 100 "Likes" on my facebook page ( www.facebook.com/Arietta.smallsongs ) I ran a prize draw give away,to win a signed copy of my latest book "Circles of Sacred Laughter"

Everyone who entered had their name written on a piece of paper and then all the names were folded up...

The names were put into my baby cauldron 

And I got to pick out a winner...

And the winner was..............

So a signed copy of my book will be winging it's way to Cindy ASAP.

I am grateful to everyone who took the time to enter the giveaway and for those who didn't win you can still pick up a copy from Amazon :)

So, that's my Sunday... Now off to snuggle on the sofa for a bit with my family, a cup of tea and a movie before hitting the books again this evening :)

Stop Press!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/392092920/poison-pen-letters-to-myself-bring-the-words-to-li?ref=city

Please show your support to my fellow writer and artist friend Romany Rivers

She is  using Kick Starter to help get her book published...

 This book chronicles a very personal journey through the years overcoming severe bouts of depression and consequently creating a more holistic and spiritual lifestyle. The chapters Red Letters, Return to Sender and Addressee Unknown reveal periods of depression and anxiety; anger and healing; and acceptance and spiritual growth. The words in these pages were not written for mass consumption. They were not artfully crafted for reading aloud in dim rooms to a soundtrack of clicking fingers and Parisian style applause. They were not intended as political statements or a way of reaching other wayward wandering souls. Over the last two decades they were poured, purged, scribbled and spat onto scraps of paper, napkins, backs of hands, into empty pages and blank spaces of other books. At times of sorrow, frustration, confusion, acceptance and joy these words made sense of the minds muddled meanderings. Within these pages you will find heart breaking, heart healing honesty that crosses the divide and touches the souls of others. Now is the time to share this honesty. Now is the time to open pages and breathe new life into whispered words. I gave this project my heart, but it is you, dear reader, you are the one who can give this project life. 

Current Development:
Poison Pen Letters to Myself is a completed manuscript, undergoing final proof reading, editing and design. There has already been a contract offered on the book, and the manuscript is already close to publication. This Kickstarter campaign will raise the required author subsidy to finalise the cost and production of design and editing.

Some of the things said in reviews:

"This is a guide of immense power and love.."

"...a worthy book of poetry..."

"... there is honesty, catharsis and ultimately beauty on almost every page." 

"I love poetry, and the poetry here is beautiful."

"It has good form, imagery and subject matter."

"... a consuming and compelling collection of raw expression."

"I'm not the greatest fan of poetry so it has to be really good to appeal, and this is really good."

"... it reads like a novelised, journalised roadmap of the human experience."

Your part of the project:
On the right you will find a list of pledges and incentives, which is how Kickstarter allows you and I to work together and publish my dream. Think of it as a way to pre-order a signed copy of the book, or receive a funky handmade gift of gratitude. If I reach the goal, the full 100%, before the deadline, I can provide the author subsidy for design and I can publish the book. If I fail to meet the financial goal then I get nothing at all, the publishing contract will be withdrawn and the book will not make it to print. Your pledge will be refunded, your card will not be charged. So your part in this project is integral, not only by pledging to be a part of the publishing dream but also by sharing this campaign through social networking and raising awareness all over the world. 

Hello World ... Exciting updates coming soon!

So much has been going on here at Small Songs HQ... Following the successful launch of "Circles of Sacred Laughter" I have been hard at work to get "Little Lizzy Witch" published but we have had some trouble finding a compatible illustrator and so it looks like "Lizzy" won't be out I time for Yule but I am confident that you will be able to read the first of her adventures before next summer. 

Whilst I continue my search for a talented illustrator I have also been keeping myself busy by reading, reading, reading! The reason for all this reading is that I am now reviewing books for other people and you will soon see the first of those book reviews very soon.

Those of you who want more regular updates from me might also like to "like" my Facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/Arietta.smallsongs ) where I have been posting snippets of my poetry and art work and running regular giveaways!

Until next time...

Bright Blessings

Arietta x