The Mermaid Handbook

So I have not updated this site in many, many moons, and for a while my life became less mermaidly in general, but now that has all changed and my true nature has once again asserted itself.

I have written a Mermaid Handbook:

Actually, THE Mermaid Handbook, which you can pre-order here and get it with a bookplate signed by yours truly, or anywhere else where books are sold. It comes out from HarperCollins on May 15! And it follows The Faerie Handbook, which came out in November.

Here is a description:

Answer the enchanting siren call of the mermaid with this comprehensive, lavishly illustrated and intricately designed one-of-a-kind lifestyle compendium from the editor in chief of Faerie Magazine and author of The Faerie Handbook and globally published novel Mermaid, packed with lore, legends, facts and trivia, beautiful illustrations, and numerous step-by-step projects and recipes.

Divided into four sections—Fashion and Beauty; Arts and Culture; Real Mermaids and Where to Find Them; and Food, Entertaining and Stories of the Sea—The Mermaid Handbook is a unique and sumptuous compilation filled with creative ideas for decorating and living inspired by these beauties from the deep. Learn to make a sailor’s valentine; a mermaid comb and crown; and a pearl and sequin paillette necklace. There are recipes for mermaid-themed poke bowls, aquatic-themed honey gingerbread cookies, and the official cocktail of the 1960s-era mermaid attraction Aquarama.

Folklore expert Carolyn Turgeon also includes profiles of true modern mermaids, tail makers, and mermaid bars; visits mermaid attractions like Weeki Wachee Springs; and provides tips on getting beachy mermaid hair and creating an alluring eye. This collector’s item also includes an inset image on the front cover; ornate metallic blue foil patterning on the front, spine, and back; blue stained edges; a satin bookmark, and quality paper.

You might recognize the Emma McEvoy image on the cover (with tail from Finfolk Productions), which was featured in a past issue of Faerie Magazine as well as in the NY Times profile of Faerie Magazine (which I edit) from 2015: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/24/t-magazine/faerie-magazine-profile.html.

Here’s a little video flip-through I did after getting the first advance copy!

Anyway, to celebrate the publication we are ALSO doing a mermaid-themed summer issue of Faerie Magazine to accompany the book, with a cover from Cheryl Walsh. Here’s the sneak preview from the back cover of the current spring Tolkien-themed issue:

The mermaid issue will be out in June, and will also feature recipes and tutorials and beauty and all manner of art and lore! You can subscribe starting with the mermaid issue here, or pre-order a single copy here. Also, if your own mermaidliness has led you to have a mermaid business of some sort, you might want to consider advertising in the issue; to find out more you can email sara@faeriemag.com.

Anyway, more to come, but I wanted to let you know about all this glimmering mermaid wondrousness in the works!