Awen Publications

On 19 August 2018 we gathered in the Ale House in Stroud to celebrate two things: the launch of Awen’s newest title, Silver Branch: Bardic Poems & Letters to a Young Bard by Kevan Manwaring – and also the author’s birthday! Kevan organised the evening with his usual generosity of spirit, giving us a showcase of bardic talent from Stroud and Bath – and beyond. There were poets, musicians and storytellers sharing many different versions of the bardic arts that Kevan has worked

We walked alone together up the steep hillside, finding our own desire paths through the boggy heathland, climbing our own mental inclines, the hidden engines of our hearts driving us forward, the mental cable of our thoughts reeling us up the slope – providing the traction of deferred gratification. We had come the wild West Brecons to make mythopoeic pilgrimage to Llyn y Fan Fach, a glacial tarn associated with the Tylwyth Teg, the ‘Good Folk’ of the Brythonic tradition, an

Kirsty Hartsiotis is one of the people working behind the scenes at  Awen. She was, recently, responsible for the wonderful cover design for A Dance With Hermes. Kirsty is a writer and storyteller, here are some examples of her work: John Smith the Dragon Slayer of Deerhurst The Woman’s Wraith’ at Stroud Short Stories #KirstyHartsiotis #storytelling

During the evening you can enjoy an acoustic set of folkloric songs covering subjects such as shape-shifting, river goddesses and local mythology by Inkubus Sukkubus and friends (inkubussukkubus.com), plus folk tales of Gloucestershire by storyteller Kirsty Hartsiotis. Kirsty is the co-author of Gloucestershire Ghost Tales gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk, tel 01452 503050 or in person from Gloucester TIC. All profits to Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. #Gloucester #KirstyHarts