Yuletide Greetings and Tiny Treasures

Happy Yule, Happy Chanukah, and Merry Christmas! I can’t believe another year is coming to an end. Thank you all for spending at least part of it with me. I appreciate my friends, fans, and readers more than I can say, and I wish you all a wonderful holiday, no matter how you celebrate.

I will be hosting my yearly Yule dinner party on the 21^st for Blue Moon Circle, family, and friends. I look forward to it all year long. And now I have something else to celebrate too—the release of a new short collection of short-short stories set in the world of the Baba Yagas and the Riders!

 

 

This project wasn’t something I had planned on doing, but I was chatting with one of my author friends a few months ago and that conversation made me think of a few little short-short stories I had posted over the years at the Literary Escapism blog as part of the promotion for the fabulous Coastal Magic Convention. I knew that most people hadn’t ever had a chance to read them.

Then I was talking about them to Crystal Sarakas, who sometimes acts as my virtual assistant, and she said, “I know you’re in the middle of your crazy busy season, and I almost hate to even suggest this, but would you consider writing a new story to add to these?” (Then she ducked.) It really was crazy, but I loved the idea. And when I said, “What about a Chudo-Yudo story?” she jumped up and down and squeeed. Then we went looking for the perfect cover, and I found the one above, by cover artist Lindsay Tiry, and it inspired the story of the same name as the collection title. Three of the stories are centered around Yule, so this seemed like the perfect time to put this tiny collection out as a gift to my faithful readers. Consider it my thank you to your sticking with me and the Baba Yagas for all this time.

The book is out in digital format as of today, and will be available in paperback (a small one, called a chapbook—it will be pretty skinny!) as soon as we can get it set up. I hope you enjoy these little treasures, especially the new one.

Find the book here: https://amzn.to/2Ma5DKT

Of course, because I’m me, I’m doing a big giveaway to celebrate the mini-collection’s release. It includes a Kindle Fire 7 tablet, a signed copy of the last novella (Dangerously Driven), and a stuffed dragon in honor of the new Chudo-Yudo story. Check it out!

While you’re checking things out, you might want to swing by my Etsy store, if you still need some (really) last minute gifts for the reader or witchy type on your list (or for yourself). I’ve got signed books, my gemstone jewelry, and some magical gift sets, among other things. https://www.etsy.com/shop/deborahblake

 Thank you again for taking this journey with me…my peeps are the best.

Wishing you all a blessed Winter Solstice and a happy New Year. May the year to come be filled with joy.

Blessings,

Deborah

P.S. Diana has settled in really well, and sends her love, along with the rest of the Wild Bunch.

To enter the contest, just fill out this Rafflecopter form. As always, no purchase is necessary (although of course I'd love it if you bought the new mini-book).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Modern Witchcraft Cover Reveal and Giveaway

I haven't been posting here much, I know. Partially because I'm doing a lot of my posting these days over on my Patreon and partially because I've just been insanely busy with writing, house and garden upkeep, running the shop, and of course, fostering kittens. I owe you guys an update report on the fostering, but this came up first so that one will have to wait until next week.

Because I have to share my NEW COVER with you! I'm so excited about my upcoming book from St. Martin's Press, MODERN WITCHCRAFT: GODDESS EMPOWERMENT FOR THE KICK-ASS WOMAN, coming July 7th, 2020.

Here's the cover copy for the book:

A guidebook to witchcraft as a female-empowering religion, including detailed instructions on how to practice self-care in today's society through goddess worship and magic.
In a time when most formal religions are on the wane, Wicca is said to be the fastest growing religion in North America. What is it that draws people to Witchcraft, and how does a spiritual path with its roots in ancient beliefs and traditions transform itself into a practice that resonates so deeply with today’s modern woman?
There are a number of explanations for the phenomenon, such as Witchcraft's connection to the natural world, or acceptance of members regardless of lifestyle choices. For women, however, the greatest appeal may be the worship of a goddess (or goddesses). No stern patriarchal God here. Instead, Wicca and most other forms of modern Witchcraft embrace deity in both the feminine and the masculine. Suddenly, women can look at the divine and see themselves reflected back. In addition, many women are frustrated, frightened, triggered, and down-right furious with the current social and political environment, but feel powerless to create positive change. Witchcraft can give them a sense of personal empowerment.
There are many different Witchcraft paths and a multitude of approaches to its practice. This book will guide the reader on the journey to connecting with the feminine divine both without and within, and open the door to this magical religion that will enlighten, uplift, and energize their lives.

And here's the cover! Let me know what you think.



I hope you love it as much as I do!

It's already up for pre-order on Amazon (just in print--the other formats will go up eventually). AND I got great news today from my editor! "Good news--we had a nice little three-publisher auction for Modern Witchcraft with Tantor emerging as the winner." That means the book will be available in audio too.

Obviously, we're going to have to celebrate, right? In fact, it's possible I've gotten a little carried away because I'm SO excited about the cover reveal and the audio deal. So I'm giving away a Kindle Fire tablet, along with a fun broomstick pen and a black cat bookmark. As usual, all you have to do to enter is to fill out the Rafflecopter form. No purchase is necessary, although if you want to pre-order, it will make me look good with my new publisher...


a Rafflecopter giveaway