Thanks to The Slings & Arrows Graphic Novel guide for publishing a review of Mother Christmas. Here’s a snippet from the review:
The secret origin of Santa Claus is a big topic to be taking on, but that’s what Mother Christmas provides, blending the legend of Saint Nicholas with infinite possibilities.
We are surrounded by wonders of the human imagination: breathtaking architecture, musical masterpieces, unforgettable plays and poems, world-changing inventions. Human beings are capable of profound innovation—but what is the source of these ideas?
It’s a big question that has been considered by philosophers and theologians, artists and scientists. Answers have been offered in the form of myths and scripture, theories and studies.
One ancient answer to where the ideas come from is: the Muses. The Muses bestow their gifts on humanity, each one dedicated to a specific aspect of the imagination.
Mosaic of the nine Muses found in the ancient Roman city of Augusta Treverorum (modern-day Trier), ca. 250 CE
The story of Mother Christmas is my answer to where does inspiration come from—and what does that magic have to do with Christmas?
The Santa Claus legend is one in a long line of stories about travelers bringing gifts in dark of winter. Around the world, many of the stories told in the cold, dark of winter have to do with finding hope in the promise of spring, and finding inspiration in the mysteries and dreams of the long nights.
What happens when you bring together a young, passionate Muse and a generous, spiritual seeker, united by a desire to inspire humanity and protect them against a growing threat of creatures that feed off fear?
A panel from Mother Christmas, Volume 1: The Muse.
Why, you get the story of Mother Christmas!
In Volume 1 of the Mother Christmas trilogy, you are introduced to the Muses and their home, the Realm of the Mousai. From ancient times, the Muses have helped to direct people toward their creative potential, each House with its own special focus: watching over them, whispering encouragement, sending dreams and cultivating their fruitful imagination.
I’d like to introduce you now to the Houses of the Mousai as they appear in Mother Christmas:
House of Terpsikhore: Muse of the Body Arts House of Thaleia: Muse of Comedy and Theater House of Kalliope: Muse of the Arts House of Ourania: Muse of the Sciences and Technology House of Melpomene: Muse of Memorials and Tragedy House of Kleio: Muse of Leadership and Honor House of Erato: Muse of Passion and Compassion House of Euterpe: Muse of Music and Mathematics House of Polyhymnia: Muse of Spirituality
And then there are those without a house: The Silent Ones, who follow Dea Tacita.
Would you like to know who your Muse is?
Take the quiz below and learn which Muse inspires you.
I’ve spent a lot of time in dentist offices. A lot. Yes, I brush. I floss. I go for my checkups, and yet rarely do I leave without something being uncovered. There have been plenty of run-of-the-mill cavities and decay, failing old metal fillings, chipped teeth and damage from stress grinding. Then there were the root canals and crown lengthenings, the abscesses and gum tissue grafts, the bone grafts and problematic extractions, the implants that went in crooked and had to heal and be refitted more than once. (I never did have braces through. Maybe this is the tradeoff?)
One of my dearest friends, Jerry, is the only other person I know who shares a similar tooth curse, and we often commiserate while pondering which God of Oral Hygiene or Patron Saint of Tooth Woes we have offended in this or a prior life.
So I’ve spent a lot of time in the chair, and to make myself feel better (by focusing my attention elsewhere to escape the sounds of drilling and grinding in my skull), I started writing stories in my head that I would continue on subsequent visits. “The Tooth Butcher” is one such story that began with meditations on the tooth fairy and attempts to answer the question, “What happens with all those teeth?” I’m so happy that it found a home in The Horror Library Volume 7.
Editor Eric Guignard is revealing one contributor a day for the anthology, to be published by Dark Moon Books on March 1, 2022.
I’ve spent a lot of time in dentist offices. A lot. Yes, I brush. I floss. I go for my checkups, and yet rarely do I leave without something being uncovered. There have been plenty of run-of-the-mill cavities and decay, failing old metal fillings, chipped teeth and damage from stress grinding. Then there were the root canals and crown lengthenings, the abscesses and gum tissue grafts, the bone grafts and problematic extractions, the implants that went in crooked and had to heal and be refitted more than once. (I never did have braces through. Maybe this is the tradeoff?)