Kashallan Press

 The new editions of Celu Amberstone's books on rituals are now both available. Click on this link , and scroll down to click on the cover images for either Blessings of the Blood or Deepening the Power.

New this season for Kashallan Books are two celebrated books on rituals, by Celu Amberstone, using the name Cornwoman as she does when teaching or writing about ritual experiences. These two books have been among her most popular works, with enduring appeal. It is with great pride that Kashallan Press announces that new editions will soon be released of these books on ritual experiences in our modern age.     Blessings of the Blood: a Book of Menstrual Lore and Rituals for Woman  ISBN: 9781777537920 Deepening the Power: Community Ritual and Sacred Theatre ISBN: 9781990581014 Preorders are available now through your favourite online vendors and our distributor at these links: books2read.com/b/blessings and books2read.com/b/deepening

 by Celu Amberstone I have been asked to document my process, so with that in mind I will put down how I gain ideas and write the books and short stories I create. First let me say that I am of mixed ancestry, First Nation and Scott-Irish. I carry teachings from the Elders of my two heritages and draw upon them in everything I write. The ideas for a story or a novel come to me in dreams. I have had these special dreams since I was a child, but it was only as an adult that I considered putting them into print. I also have been legally blind since birth. I was one of the children back in the 1940’s affected by the birth defects associated with the measles disease. I have never been able to see more than shapes and colors, so when I say these story-dreams are vivid I don’t mean they are visually acute. It’s hard for me to explain in words my process here, being blind since birth I don’t “see” anything, not really, not at least like other people I ask tell me they experience dreaming. The

For a Twitter Colloquium on Self-Publishing, here are some of author Celu Amberstone's thoughts in this discussion:    I think there are advantages and disadvantages to self-publishing. I am a mixed-race, Indigenous author and for that reason my writing perspective is different than what the established publishing industry is used to. I have been told many times by New York agents and editors, in their refusal letters, “Your writing is great, but I don’t know how to market your books.” But with help from online sites like D2D or Smash words I have been able to offer my books in reputable stores like Amazon and Barnes & Noble nonetheless. Self-publishing isn’t a shortcut to fame and glory, however. It means you have to do, yourself, much that would have been done in the past by a traditional publisher. So, if you want to have your writing treated seriously, then you have to do the work needed to insure the books you offer are the very best you can make

 Just as spring is starting, many small publishers and literary presses are banding together for mutual promotion of our books. One of the most enjoyable virtual gatherings is SMOLfair, with several discussions and book prizes. Look on Twitter for @FairSmol talking about @KashallanPress at this link https://twitter.com/FairSmol/status/1503384997545197568 See also what they have to say about other fine independent publishers.

  Terrific to see that R. Graeme Cameron has written a review of Celu Amberstone's novel The Dream-Chosen for the magazine Amazing Stories! Here's a brief excerpt from Graeme's detailed review:   I can’t tell you how refreshing and original this opening chapter strikes me. Not only do we begin to understand the premise of the book and the mindset of the Khutani, we also learn, in a visceral way, how truly alien they are. ... From now on the reader reacts to the alien Khutani in terms of observing their emotional state... Brilliant. In short, the opening chapter introduces the Khutani wonderfully well. Definitely makes you want to read more. ... The last part of chapter two concerns Dunnagh Kai, an officer commanding two squads on a reconnaissance patrol.  ... Again, a dynamic, changing situation, in this case used to introduce humans into the mix, establish their courage and compassion, not to mention describe the level of both their technological and spiritual po