Wednesday Writing — Perception & Old Friends, Thistledown – Midsummer Bedlam

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Fly your imagination to new heights!

Ruby-topaz_hummingbird_flying in Tobago

Perception is a strange beast.  We all see things through our own “filters,” which means they probably look different to us than they appear to the rest of the world.  My perception of holidays is different because of my unique situation.

While Thistledown — Midsummer Bedlam is not exactly a holiday story, I connect it the holiday season. I published it about a year ago.  Lately I’ve been sharing character images from the story on Facebook.  As I was doing that, I realized that my perception of how the story looked would be unlike the way anyone else would see a tale of faeries.

My book cover looked exactly like the heroine, Bedlam Thunder, was in my mind.  Although I realized no one else was likely to see her, or Thistledown in my unusual way.  So, I made a new cover.

New Cover Reveal
Thistledown – Midsummer Bedlam

Thistledown - Midsummer Bedlam. New cover by Teagan R. Geneviene
Thistledown – Midsummer Bedlam. New cover by Teagan R. Geneviene

For those of you who weren’t around when it was a serial, Thistledown is a wildly whimsical tale of faeries.  However, lest you think you’re too old for that stuff, it also has a dark side.

My readers used a “find your faery name” chart to create names for most of the characters. Although I came up with some of the names myself, and a couple of people already had their own faery names.  Those names served the same purpose of inspiring the story as my “three things” method of storytelling.

Bedlam Thunder

Please allow me to introduce Bedlam Thunder.  She is a young misfit faery in the land of Thistledown.  She doesn’t fly very well at all.  She’s even afraid of heights!  Although, the most difficult thing for Bedlam is that she is a seer.  Bedlam doesn’t get happy fun visions that a faery fortune teller should see.  Instead, her visions are horrific.  Those visions put Bedlam and her friends on a quest to save their world. 

Here’s the Book Blurb

Thistledown ― Midsummer Bedlam, by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene is a wildly whimsical tale of faeries. It was originally written for a grownup audience, but it is suitable for children ages eight and over.

Thistledown is a world of color and light. It has faeries, hummingbirds, and ancient books of magic. Bedlam’s visions begin to show her a parallel world devoid of color and brightness. The hate and darkness of that colorless world seeps into Thistledown. Will Bedlam and her friends be able to save their home?

Thistledown ― Midsummer Bedlam, with its radiant creatures and faeries will lift your imagination to new heights.

Universal Purchase Links

These links should work to redirect you, no matter what country.

Paperback: relinks.me/1675233632

Kindle: relinks.me/B082RFN9GF

For the anti-Amazon among us, I’ve uploaded the book to Kobo. They say it’s available, but it doesn’t show up on my searches, and neither do I as an author… I can’t say I’m happy with my two experiences with them.

To avoid confusion, this is the old cover.  Same story, new cover.

Thistledown 2019 cover
Thistledown – Midsummer Bedlam, cover design by Teagan Geneviene

Hugs on the wing!

Teagan

***

This is a work of fiction.  Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2017 and 2020 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved. 

No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

All images are either the property of the author or provided by free sources, unless stated otherwise.

68 thoughts on “Wednesday Writing — Perception & Old Friends, Thistledown – Midsummer Bedlam”

  7. As I wasn’t here for the original series, I can’t fully comment.
    However, I like both covers.
    Interesting, I’ve been working on a submission to Flapper Press of my Art Gown, Titania. Yes, Shakespeare’s Titania!
    Fairies abound! {{{hugs}}}

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Wow! I can’t wait to see the gown and hear more about it, Resa.
      I think you would enjoy the whimsy of this story. All the characters have fun names — good and bad. You might draw some inspiration from it — although your creativity is already limitless.
      The faeries tend to wear clothes with a caplet top so that it’s comfortable when they unfurl their wings. 😀 Their hair is in various colors, and one has rainbow tresses.
      Thanks for your feedback about the covers. Hugs on the wing!

      Like

      Reply

  9. You know it’s from reading about Bedlam and some equally fantastical musings from Barb Taub and Diana Peach that’s started me on an urban fantasy of my own. From the beat of a hummingbird’s wings… thank you, oh wonder! Oh and neat cover, v. Perfect!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. You are so kind, Lavinia. Thank you for being part of Thistledown.
      I think of you whenever I think of Guitar Mancer. As I usually do, I have trouble with the ending. But I do want and intend to finish it.
      I hope all is well in your world. Hugs on the wing.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

        1. Yes, it sneaked in again. I wasn’t paying attention to the forecast, and was shocked to find the temperature at 6AM was 19 degrees (and it’s still 19 at nearly 8AM! That happens a few times in January, but as with that October snow, it’s unusual. I don’t know what the overnight low was, but so far this season, it’s barely gone below freezing (30 I think). More hugs.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

  18. I think you’re right about our perceptions being unique. I never thought I would enjoy a fairy story, even one written for adults. However, this book was so interesting, I could barely put it down. In fact, you have drawn me into several genres where I never thought I would find anything to read. I think your genre is ‘excellent storytelling’ and I enjoy that genre very much. This was an excellent book.

    PS, thank you for adjusting my fairy name. As I recall, the chart wasn’t kind to me 😏

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Ha! I didn’t like how the chart worked out for male names, Dan. I didn’t just adjust it — I threw it out the window for Carver Eastdoor.
      Heartfelt thanks for your comment. I can’t think of a greater compliment than to get readers to look at other genres. Thanks for taking time to fly over here. Hugs on the wing!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. Pingback: Wednesday Writing — Perception & Old Friends, Thistledown – Midsummer Bedlam – Teagan’s Books | Fantasy Art Gifts: Books, Music, News

  23. I loved the old cover as well, but the new cover is amazing, and you’re right, it will make future readers know straight away what it is about. We tend to expect other people to see things the way we do, but you’re right. That’s not always the case. Great work and keep safe. ♥

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Olga! I wanted the cover (originally) to show that Thistledown wasn’t an ordinary/typical fairy story. Now I realize that maybe the story is not quite as far afield from fairytales as the (old) cover may have made it appear. Anyway, I’m happy you like this one. Huge hugs!

      Like

      Reply

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