WIDDERSHINS IS AVAILABLE IN EBOOK NOW

My debut novel Widdershins travels from the Northern Isles to Edina in a rollicking, lyrical fairy tale. Kara’s story is vibrant retelling of the selkie myth and an epic tale of connected lives spanning a thousand years. She time-slips through myth and folklore to a post-apocalyptic future and back again, fleeing hunters and collectors as she travels to the end of time in search of her lost skin. 

“A bold and absorbing exploration of how a soul – and its story – can survive its tellings and retellings. Over a thousand years and through shifting landscapes, Kára finds and forgets herself in an epic quest for connection and belonging. An intricate fantasy with folkloric roots, Shaw guides us through distant pasts, terrifying futures and a retelling of the selkie myth with a sure hand.”

—Lynsey May, author of Weak Teeth

What Readers are Saying

‘the sense of place is really palpable here. I loved Allyson’s writing, it’s so poetic and evocative of the place and the prose was beautiful.’ —@sukijreads on Booktok

“It’s so empowering and beautiful. I really want more people to read it.” –@brons.books on Booktok.

This book speaks to my soul…it pulled me in. I couldn’t stop reading once I got into it…witchy and strange and rooted in myth…The weird girl vibe had me sold…The artwork is absolutely stunning…I already know I’ll be rereading it.—@honestlybookedjulie

…so well written, it actually feels like it’s been written by a genius. It’s really beautiful and almost Shakespearean. —James, @CreepyCornerBooks on Booktok

A Limited Edition Hardback of Widdershins was created for Kickstarter backers. The project was successfully funded funded in less than 15 minutes. Kickstarter feautred it as a ‘Project We Love” and at the end of the campaign, Widdershins surpassed its funding goal by over 900%.

I plan to make the paperback available in later this year. Subscribe to my newsletter to keep informed about Widdershins as well as my other writing projects.

I created a playlist evoking the world of Widdershins

The novel is inspired by my extensive research into the folklore in the Scottish witchcraft confessions and by the mysterious landscape of Orkney where I live. The islands are like a sea ravaged time machine, and their rugged, otherworldly atmosphere has inspired my novel. I’m Allyson Shaw, a writer and multimedia artist. My illustrations and hand drawn maps will be included in the book. Artist Iain MacArthur has created the beautiful cover illustration.