Happy 'Birth' Day
The Maiden's Tale is born...
As previously announced, today 16th May 2026 is publication day, not only The Maiden’s Tale’s birthday, but also the birth of Tales of B-Earth (who is actually triplets - a trilogy).
My Substack is littered with insights into the writing of this novel, mostly under the ‘she writes’ tab on my homepage. I will be sharing further information about the trilogy as time goes on, and I have included links to some of the previous posts below.
But the most important link is this one - you can purchase a copy here:
Isn’t the cover art gorgeous? I gave a bit of background about how I came to use this fabulous image by the wonderful artist Jill Smith here.
I explained previously how the structure of the novel follows the Pagan Wheel of the Year, and I speculated how the midwife characters in the novel used this along with the lunar cycles to ascertain when babies would be born in this Neolithic era.
As I am so far into the editing of book II The Mother’s Tale: MerLina, I decided to add a bonus chapter to my debut about Ròn, and have included the first chapter featuring MerLina at the end; I hope this will excite you enough to look forward to that publication later this year. But first the blurb for book I, which I hope will encourage you to support me and buy my feminist fantasy.
Blurb: Tales of B-Earth book I
The Maiden’s Tale: Ròn, begins when Cal one of the Sisterhood, discovers a baby girl born of a seal. As she grows up, the girl Ròn becomes an apprentice BirthKeeper to Cal who takes her to the Isle of Elenn in the north where the Sisterhood reside. This Neolithic, Matriarchal society are led by Sedna and act as spiritual healers venerating the Great Mother. Ròn is different, she has two hearts and is haunted in her dreams by the words fate is coincidental, destiny is synchronous. Ròn becomes friends with another girl with two hearts, Tina and then falls in love with a youth, Ronan. She becomes pregnant and asks her friend to be her BirthKeeper. Tragedy ensues and Ròn must escape from the only home she has ever known, alone. And so begins her journey to the south and a new Sisterhood, one that seeks balance in all things. The book ends with Rón needing to escape once again… Book II The Mother’s Tale: MerLina, and Book III The Matriarch’s Tale: MerDreda will conclude the Tales of B-Earth trilogy.
Readers and Reviews
I think that the most terrifying part of publishing my debut novel has been purposefully asking others to read it - how would it be received? I have a sense of The Maiden’s Tale having a bit of a niche market, which I know well, so unsurprisingly, I have initially sought comment from within this pool of communities familiar to me.
My ‘beta readers’, were friends and family, those I could trust to be gentle, but honest with me. Dear friend Mish, husband John and daughter Hollie gave me their frank opinions, thoughts on the story and assistance with editing. At this last edit stage, I noted that John, as the only male did have a differing view, which I expected, it being a feminist tale. But what pleased me, was to win a prize for the first 10,000 words of a speculative fiction novel (from the Scottish Association of Writers) which was judged by a male author, confirming my hope that men could still also enjoy my book.
(The Pitlochry Quaich)
The initial reviewers are naturally well chosen, and I have called on women from two particular communities relevant to the themes in my trilogy; the Priestess (of Goddess) community and the Radical Midwives. Others will follow, but here are a couple of first reactions:
"This book is a remembering. Through the life of a young woman born of the sea, we are brought back to the sacred work of tending birth and holding life at its threshold. Set at a time when patriarchal systems begin to take hold, this story honours the women who remember the old ways. As you read their story, you too may remember these stirrings of something ancient that refuses to be silenced." Louise M Tarrier
Louise is author of The Way of the Sea Priestess: An Inner Path and you can find her on Substack too at She Changes. I was thrilled to appear on her podcast last year - she is a busy woman indeed playing a major role in the establishment and running of the Sacred Birth Centre in Glastonbury (which also has a Substack page here.)
‘ An intriguing tale which combines mythology, sacred life and sisterhood. Journey with Ron as she navigates her extraordinary life from birth to motherhood. Rippling throughout are is the remembrance of the matriarchal society and Rons journey to establish a new community of balance as the wheel of time ever turns. A wonderful weave of the energies of the north and south and the wheel of the year within Herstory.’ Morgana Sophia
Morgana Sophia is a Priestess-Astrologer, Author, Coach and Mistress of Magic which belies the scope of her talents having had a background in the ‘corporate world’ - she can be found here. I highly recommend the work Morgana Sophia does with one of my Priestess teachers Maria Jones (founder of Goddess centred astrology) exploring world and personal astrology at Star Revelations in their regular podcast.
So there you have it. Not so much a launch (hurl forcefully/introduce new product) as a drop (unload/mention something casually) - perhaps more apt for a novel which features childbirth; I feel a definite ‘lightening’.
I am excited though and keen to complete the draft of the 3rd book as I have enjoyed the writing of the 2nd so much. If like me, you like listening to and sharing birth stories, this trilogy is particularly appealing I believe. Please do give the trilogy a chance and read The Maiden’s Tale: Ròn, I don’t think it’ll disappoint going by reactions of all my readers and reviewers so far.
With thanks…
Lynn
That’s brilliant, Lynn. Well done. I look forward to reading it. X
Such a great read. Congratulations on birthing your book. 🙌