Widdershins Kickstarter Launching April 30th!

“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

Widdershins travels from the Northern Isles to Edina in a rollicking, lyrical fairy tale for our modern age. 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.

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. 

Listen to the playist I created, with songs that evoke the world and story of Widdershins:

I’ve chosen to use Kickstarter to get my debut novel into the hands of readers. This will run for a month, launching from April 30th. I will be offering a Limited Edition of signed and numbered hardbacks with foiling, sprayed edges and decorative endpapers. There will also be an ebook available as well as other exciting rewards!