Publication!

The Maiden's Tale: Ròn

Thank you for your patience, the delay since my last post about The Maiden’s Tale: Ròn (you can find the Blurb here) is partly intentional, as once I realised that I would be away from home when (last week) I’d intended to publish a cover reveal, I decided to wait until May 1st 2026, Beltaine and a full moon to finalise the finished look of the novel; why not work with the seasons and stars on this, I thought.

I have already mentioned that the artist Jill Smith had generously given permission for her artwork ‘B-Earth’ to be used for my cover, so here is a little more about the image.

(The Sheela na gig at Rodel)

When I spent time with Jill last summer, we’d visited a favourite spot of hers, the church at Rodel, a place I was keen to see. As a midwife and Pagan I have long been intrigued by the phenomenon of Sheela na gigs and try to visit any I’m aware of when visiting new places (and old). The Sheela na gig at Rodel is a little unusual as it appears to show a birth, some say of a seal - a Selkie. The Maiden’s Tale: Ròn, begins with a Selkie birth of sorts, the name Ròn being the Scottish Gaelic for seal.

Jill Smith is a fabulous performance artist whose work I have long admired and I have also enjoyed her autobiographical writing - I reviewed her brilliant Zodiac Journey here. I have included how I came to have Jill’s artwork for the cover in the acknowledgments of the book:

I would like to give special thanks to the artist Jill Smith, a very special and talented woman. Our paths magically crossed during my studies when I attended (on line) a presentation Jill gave at the University of Glasgow about her work as a performance artist. Unknowingly I had been coming across Jill’s work for years, her art, her writing, and when after the presentation I contacted her to tell her about The Tales of B-Earth, she shared the amazing synchronicity of one of her works ‘B-Earth’, portraying the Sheela na gig of Kilpeck as giving birth to the planet earth. She most generously agreed to let me use this fabulous piece of art for the cover of the first novel in the trilogy. In 2025 I went to the Isle of Lewis where Jill lives, to meet up with her for the Lunar Standstill at Callinish - it was a real privilege. Jill, you’re an inspiring woman and I am forever grateful for your art, and your friendship.

(Jill and I at Rodel)

My novel references ‘the Isle of Elenn’ as the home of the Sisterhood which was inspired by the Isle of Iona. When visiting there for my 50th birthday, I’d enjoyed finding the Sheela na gig on the walls of the ruined nunnery (Picture can be found here)- even the Brides of Christ love a Sheela then, her exposed vulva celebrated in some way perhaps.

The most famous Sheela, the image most often reproduced is the one at Kilpeck - and this is the one that Jill recreated for her B-Earth artwork - and here it is the cover of The Maiden’s Tale: Ròn (proof copy).

With a few adjustments, this is the book you will be able to buy when it is published on 16th May… I hesitate to call it a launch as I feel resistance to such hubris! But I am feeling some pride in getting Her out into the world, and today (6th May) I can report that I have book II, The Mother’s Tale: MerLina ready to send to my beta readers. So, buy book I in 10 days time, and then, by the end of the year you will be able to buy and read book II - I promise to do my best to get Her out into the world by autumn!

Final cover reveal and link for purchasing The Maiden’s Tale: Ròn in next post - due out 16th May 2026 - do watch this space…

I’ll be exploring more about the Sheela Na Gigs in a future post too.

Beltaine Blessings everyone!