Pantheacon 2015!

I normally don't travel much, but this year is shaping up to be a bit of an anomaly. I actually have plans to go to a number of conferences and conventions, as well as one family trip (if we can actually pull it off).

First up is a return to one of my favorite conventions ever--PANTHEACON

Pantheacon is one of the largest Pagan conventions I know of, and it happens every year in San Jose, California in the middle of February. Obviously, the people who run it thought, "What is the best time of year to have everyone flying in from across the country?" and went with that date. *snort*

There are always lots of amazing people to meet up with, workshops to go to, and even a book release party given by Llewellyn that includes my upcoming book, Everyday Witchcraft: Making Time for Spirit in a Too-Busy World.

I usually give a couple of workshops myself, and had originally planned to this time as well, but I'd cancelled my plans due to Samhain's increasing illness, and while I was able to get everything else back into sync after her death changed things, the workshop slots had already been filled by others.

But never fear, you can still find me at a number of events at the Llewellyn Hospitality Suite in Room 1057. And I will be out and about during the conference, so if you happen to see me, be sure to say hi.

One of the best things about Pantheacon for me it always the people I get to spend time with:

Me with three of my favorite people on the planet: my step-daughter Jenn, writing partner Lisa DiDio, and Llewellyn editor Elysia

As you can see, Elysia and I don't get along at all :-)

The amazing Margot Adler, me, and Selena Fox

This was the last time I went, in 2011. I'll be seeing all of these folks again this year, which is a big part of why I'm going! The first time I went, in 2008 as a newbie author, I was overwhelmed to meet some of my own favorite authors. I told you--lots of great people go to this!

Esteemed tarot author Mary Greer, Z. Budapest, and Raven Grimassi

The charming Christopher Penczak, Stephanie Taylor, Ellen Dugan, and me

Me with the brilliant Anne Niven Newkirk, publisher and editor of Witches & Pagans Magazine

I think you can see why I'm excited to be going!

Of course, I'm also happy to be making a quick stop in San Diego in the way, so I can spend a couple of days with my too-far-away family...and I confess (since I know y'all won't tell) that the idea of some days away from the upstate NY cold and blustery winter doesn't hurt either.

Naturally, not everyone is happy about my decision to go...

No, I won't let you pack!

But thankfully, I have great cat sitters to fill in while I'm away. The cats won't even miss me.

I look forward to having a great report to share with you upon my return.

Anyone else planning to be there this year? I'd love to see you!

I'm a Cover Model! (For Witches & Pagans Magazine)

Whoo hoo! I can finally share some great news I've been sitting on for a while. (It's a little squished, but still fun.) I'm going to be a cover model!

No, not on the cover of one of my books (although there are folks who think that the picture of Barbara Yager, my first Baba Yaga, looks a bit like me on the cover of Wickedly Dangerous -- yes, my abs look *just* like that...snort). And not on the cover of Time Magazine as Witch of the Year, although really, I'm not sure why not.

This is what I'm talking about:

Witches & Pagans Magazine's Next Cover Girl. Look familiar?

Yes, that's me (and Magic the Cat, of course) on the cover of the upcoming issue of Witches & Pagans Magazine. Color me seriously excited. Possibly bordering on the ecstatic :-)

As some of you know, I write a regular column (Everyday Witchcraft) for the magazine, and I have been a dedicated reader for many years. So it is pretty thrilling to be featured on the cover and in the wonderful interview inside written by my Pagan author pal Ceallaigh MacCath (you may remember that I wrote the introduction to her fabulous collection of Pagan tales and poems, The Ruin of Beltany Ring and that we were both included in The Pagan Anthology of Short Fiction).

I'm very grateful to publisher/editor Anne Niven Newkirk for putting me on the cover, and for my friend Bobbie Hodges for taking thousands of pictures in order to get a couple of ones that were good enough for us to use without making me want to hide under the bed. (She also gave me the broom I'm holding in the picture.)

I hope that some of you will reward Anne's faith in me by making this the Most Popular Issue Evah. If you don't already have a subscription (what?!), you can get one, or preorder this particular issue by clicking on this link:
The Deborah Blake Cover Girl Issue!
Of course, the preorder price of $6.45 is a deal, so you know you want to get a copy. (Mom, I'm looking at you.)The magazine will be out in December.

And just for fun, here are a few of the shots we didn't use either for the cover or inside. Which one do you like best?

So tell me, are you going to be getting a copy of the magazine? (You don't have to, of course. I'll probably forgive you. Now Magic, on the other hand... Nah, just give her treats--she'll be fine.)

A great review!

There is very little that can make an author happier than receiving a great review for one of her books. In the newest edition of WITCHES & PAGANS Magazine (used to be newWitch and Pangaia), there was a terrific review of my second book, EVERYDAY WITCH A TO Z.

And I have to tell you, reading it made my day!

If you are a pagan, you should be subscribing to this wonderful magazine. It covers all approaches and a wide variety of belief sets, and I look forward to seeing it in my mailbox. (And yes, I have written a few articles for both the original two magazines, and also sister magazine SAGE WOMAN--but I would recommend it even if I hadn't!)

Below you will find the link for the magazine, as well as a copy of the review, which editor extraordinaire Anne Newkirk Niven was kind enough to send me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

One little note: the reviewer refers to me a couple of times as "Lady Onyx." Onyx is my magical name, but I don't use the title "Lady." This was a fairly common practice in the earlier forms of Wicca (such as Gardnarian and Alexandrian) and some folks still follow it--but I'm just plain "Onyx."

http://www.witchesandpagans.com/

Everyday Witch A to Z
Deborah Blake, Llewellyn, 2008
4/5 Broomsticks

At first glance, this seemed a very "fluffy" book. However, after
giving Lady Onyx's book, Everyday Witch A to Z, an honest read, I
changed my mind. My pointy hat is off to Ms. Blake (aka Onyx) for a
work of fabulous diplomacy and the friendliest introduction to the
world of Witchcraft that I have encountered. Organized into short,
alphabetized categories, this graphically-pleasing book explains all
the basics of Witchcraft in a forthright, non-threatening manner.
Everything from the philosophy of Perfect Love and Perfect Trust to
Sabbats and Esbats, elementals, basic spellcraft, herbology, gem
magic, and more are covered. Do you have a relative, friend, or
neighbor who thinks Witchcraft is evil? This is the book to give them!

Beginning witches will find a wealth of information in these
pages. The layout of the book demonstrates a great deal about the
culture of Witchcraft. From the copious use of pretty graphics and
color to the casual mismatch of jokes, quotes, "advice columns," and
helpful hints, Everyday Witch stays true to the eclectic, practical
tendency of witches to use what works, when it works. Like the
fabric of our lives, there is a lovely balance of mirth and reverence here.

Lady Onyx, it is not an easy thing to create a beginner's guide that
holds the interest of more advanced practitioners, but I think you've
done it. A blessing in your general direction for a job well done.
Review by KRISTIN BARTON.