Reference Materials
Folklore Resources
British Goblins: Welsh Folk-lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions by Wirt Sikes
The first section of this book concerns itself with faeries, while the rest of the book touches on the spirit world, customs, and “bells, wells, stones, and dragons.”
Celtic Folklore: Welsh and Manx (Volume I & Volume II) by John Rhŷs
These two volumes of folklore contain not only stories and tales, but also a discussion on the challenges folklorists encounter.
An Encyclopedia of Fairies by Katharine Briggs
A favorite of mine, this encyclopedia often provides additional context through recounted tales, explanations, and visual art. It was published in 1976 and may be a little difficult to come by. I discovered it at my local library; later, I was able to purchase a used copy online.
Faeries by Brian Froud and Alan Lee
Filled with drawings and paintings inspired by folklore, this collection vividly details the realm of Faerie. Be warned—opening this book and gazing upon the enchanting, fantastical, beautiful art may invoke faerie time.
The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries by W. Y. Evans Wentz
I find the first portion of this study intriguing: the author relates stories and folklore told to him as he travels (often by walking) through Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, Wales, Cornwall, and Brittany.
Folklore and Mythology Electronic Texts edited and/or translated by D. L. Ashliman
This website is a treasure trove of folklore (faerie and other), mythology, fairy tales, folktales, and fables.
Myth & Moor by Terri Windling
Be sure to treat yourself to Terri Windling’s blog—she deftly includes written, visual, and musical art into her posts. But also look to the right-hand column: she has links to further reading in the areas of folklore, fairy tales, and mythic arts.
Popular Romances of the West of England; or, The Drolls, Traditions, and Superstitions of Old Cornwall by Robert Hunt
The use of “romances” in the title is more aligned with an academic meaning of the term: narratives containing adventurous, mysterious, and supernatural elements. The volume contains a variety of stories (drolls) ranging from tales of giants and fairies to mermaids and King Arthur. In addition, there are sections where traditional customs and superstitions (including charms) are described.
Other Resources
A History of Adoption in England and Wales 1850-1961 by Gill Rossini
Describing the evolution of adoption from a social history perspective, this book explores a wide range of topics, including the displacement of children, the concept of legal adoption, and how to research adoption.
National Museum Wales
I enjoy reading the historical articles and searching the online collections. Their website is quite extensive, as it serves as a window to seven national museums.
North Wales Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust
These two websites provide an abundance of information on wildlife and their habitats, which I love learning about.
The Stone Trust: “How To Build Walls”
This educational resource page discusses the basic principles of building a dry stone wall (without the use of mortar). Fun fact: I majored in civil engineering before I graduated with an English degree.
Writing Resources
The Business of Being a Writer by Jane Friedman
Filled with honesty and practical advice, this book offers information on topics such as how and where to publish, creating an author platform, and pursuing multiple streams of income as a writer.
Creating Character Arcs and Structuring Your Novel by K.M. Weiland
In my opinion, these two guides are most helpful when used together. Reading them in combination allowed me to gain a better understanding of character arcs and story plot points.
Helping Writers Become Authors by K.M. Weiland
Blog posts on the craft of writing abound at K.M. Weiland’s writing advice website. Some articles stand alone, while others are presented as a series. She researches and reflects before writing her posts, and I enjoy learning from her.
Story Grid
This website devotes itself to an editing method, Story Grid, developed by Shawn Coyne. I discovered it through his podcast with Tim Grahl, which led me to read several articles on the website. I have found that parts of their method are great for planning/editing scenes and ensuring content genre conventions.
