Christy Matheson | Updates Christy Matheson Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:52:32 +0000 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:52:32 +0000 https://christymatheson.com en https://christymatheson.com/blog/what-does-a-leprechaun-really-look-like-happy-st-patrick-s-day-as-a Christy Matheson https://christymatheson.com/blog/what-does-a-leprechaun-really-look-like-happy-st-patrick-s-day-as-a Blog Thu, 2 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Blog post. <![CDATA[ <p>Happy St Patrick's Day! As a novelist specializing in Irish fairy tales, I couldn't afford to miss sharing some LEPRECHAUN tidbits with you! </p><p>I've collected a few pictures, a few descriptions (they don't always match up).... and I've also turned one into a story! Click through to see several historical descriptions and illustrations.</p><div class="attachment-gallery attachment-gallery--8"><figure data-trix-attachment='{"contentType":"image/png","filename":"zmv5hjmv2cfcc3y3xlhf4l20r06u","filesize":1679150,"height":1350,"url":"https://res.cloudinary.com/wellfleet/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto,w_700/zmv5hjmv2cfcc3y3xlhf4l20r06u","width":350}' data-trix-content-type="image/png" data-trix-attributes='{"presentation":"gallery"}' class="attachment attachment--preview"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/wellfleet/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto,w_700/zmv5hjmv2cfcc3y3xlhf4l20r06u" width="350" height="1350"><figcaption class="attachment__caption"> </figcaption></figure></div><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Page 1: engraving c. 1900, Wikipedia<br>Page 2: Jack B. Yeats’s “Old Man and Leprechaun,” undated. Ink on paper. 6.5 x 9.3 in. (Photo: ArtNet)<br>.<br>.<br>P 3-4: The black and white illustrations on from "Irish Wonders"<br>.<br>Man in Elizabethan garb: Garb based on Don Juan of Austria<br>Photo of Luca Cistriani<br>.<br>p 7: resource did not cite source<br>.<br>Illustration, final page: A traditional leprechaun in red coat and breeches, one of Ireland’s most notorious tricksters. (Photo: Sybil Shearin / Children Story Tales)</p><p><br></p> ]]> https://christymatheson.com/blog/ailbe-and-her-wolfhounds-are-here-the-little-white-cat-amp-the-dog-who Christy Matheson https://christymatheson.com/blog/ailbe-and-her-wolfhounds-are-here-the-little-white-cat-amp-the-dog-who Blog Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Blog post. <![CDATA[ <p><figure data-trix-attachment='{"contentType":"image","height":456,"url":"https://uploads.sendfox.com/media/HxTzcLSBen9eKanI0wiTik4QB29X2hYd3LCMfmyU147063","width":1200}' data-trix-content-type="image" class="attachment attachment--preview"><img src="https://uploads.sendfox.com/media/HxTzcLSBen9eKanI0wiTik4QB29X2hYd3LCMfmyU147063" width="1200" height="456"><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure><strong>The Little White Cat &amp; the Dog Who Wasn't is now available on all major e-book retailers!</strong></p><p>The Shelties invite you to join us in one of FIVE ways of celebrating....</p><p><strong>🎉 #1: Buy and read Ailbe's story!!!</strong></p><p>Some of you had this fly to your accounts around midnight, but now everyone can get their story about Ailbe (pronounced: Ava) and the dogs, cats, mice, sparrow-hawk, night heron, and otters whom she loves. </p><p>Malin promises to bark at any websites that have any glitches at all. So go ahead and click the links; you're protected by a very ferocious Sheltie.</p><p><a href="https://buy.bookfunnel.com/d2bg9glorj" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Get my copy of The Little White Cat and the Dog Who Wasn't</a><figure data-trix-attachment='{"contentType":"image","height":933,"url":"https://uploads.sendfox.com/media/ytb9MBwpbtIwfRgPTM1iqz5yjRakslCYZUqaFYne147063","width":1200}' data-trix-content-type="image" class="attachment attachment--preview"><img src="https://uploads.sendfox.com/media/ytb9MBwpbtIwfRgPTM1iqz5yjRakslCYZUqaFYne147063" width="1200" height="933"><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure></p><p>Woof, woof! Let everyone get their book!</p><p><strong>🎉 #2: Put it on your to-read shelf on your favorite reader app!</strong></p><p>Even if you don't have space on your to-read pile right now, interacting with a book on reader sites increases its visibility. Your activity on GoodReads signals the Amazon algorithm to recommend Ailbe's story to other readers like you — who like folklore, Ireland, slow-burn romance, and emotionally compelling fantasy.</p><p>You can make a difference for my indie fairy tales! Just click through to your favorite reader app, and put the book on your "shelf," "like" other reviews, upvote the cover — any interaction is part of the celebration!</p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/247613612-the-little-white-cat-and-the-dog-who-wasn-t" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoodReads</a></p><p><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/e3ef58cb-c9e7-4097-8b22-fe2ae865e795" target="_blank" rel="noopener">StoryGraph</a></p><p><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-little-white-cat-and-the-dog-who-wasn-t-castle-in-kilkenny-romantic-fairy-tales-book-2-by-christy-matheson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BookBub</a></p><p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/create-review?&amp;asin=B0GLNXM3W9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leave a review on Amazon</a></p><p><strong>🎉 #3: Share on your social media!</strong></p><p>Do you know anyone who needs an reading escape — complete with sewing magic, tender romance, and <em>so many</em> fluffy and feathered animal friends? </p><p>Every link and mention helps internet visibility..... and besides, if you tag me, I'll share some cake. (TBD how I will get cake to you... I'm thinking about it!)</p><p><figure data-trix-attachment='{"contentType":"image","height":1600,"url":"https://uploads.sendfox.com/media/tl5oSMF7LiAotT0oHkymOuSjJghmJHbY0IHyOndf147063","width":1200}' data-trix-content-type="image" class="attachment attachment--preview"><img src="https://uploads.sendfox.com/media/tl5oSMF7LiAotT0oHkymOuSjJghmJHbY0IHyOndf147063" width="1200" height="1600"><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure><figure data-trix-attachment='{"contentType":"image","height":1600,"url":"https://uploads.sendfox.com/media/8cRQj0G4PRcRO7t49ewPWfl1r7P8aRDPmlxiok3k147063","width":1200}' data-trix-content-type="image" data-trix-attributes='{"caption":"Adare and Inish are ready for cake cake cake cake"}' class="attachment attachment--preview"><img src="https://uploads.sendfox.com/media/8cRQj0G4PRcRO7t49ewPWfl1r7P8aRDPmlxiok3k147063" width="1200" height="1600"><figcaption class="attachment__caption attachment__caption--edited">Adare and Inish are ready for cake cake cake cake</figcaption></figure></p><p><br></p><p><strong>🎉 #4: Recommend in your reader groups!</strong></p><p>Are you in groups where readers share new releases, cover reveals, or anticipated reads? </p><p>Online groups often discuss tropes, so here are some where you could say "hey, I know a book that does that!" And here's some tropes you can copy and paste. I've put the cover graphic below so you can use it anywhere!</p><ul> <li>🌿 Irish Folklore Retelling</li> <li>🏰 Forced Proximity in Magical Castle</li> <li>🪡 Servant Heroine with Hidden Strength</li> <li>🌙 Transformation Romance</li> <li>🐈 Talking Animals as Guides</li> <li>💚 Found Family Among Warriors</li> <li>⚔️ Touch her and die</li> </ul><p>Evil Sorcerer Villain  Captive Heroine Who Refuses to Submit  Heroine's Quest to Save Her Companion Love as a Healing Force Rival Suitor Subplot Fae Trickster Ally  One Bed Magical Sewing and Crafts</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>🎉 #5: Request through your local library!</strong></p><p>As of today, The Little White Cat should be available through OverDrive, BorrowBox, and CloudLibrary. Most of my books are on Hoopla, but their processing takes a while, so Ailbe probably isn't there yet. </p><p>As of this week, the paperback will be available from Amazon, <a href="http://Bookshop.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bookshop.org</a>, and others. Since I'm a small author, I don't have marketing set up to libraries. But since their priority is their patrons, YOUR recommendation holds much more weight than mine. I basically grew up in the library, so my heart beats a happy dance whenever I see those library orders come in! 💒<figure data-trix-attachment='{"contentType":"image","height":900,"url":"https://uploads.sendfox.com/media/pL2pTl0JutiBQKT4fXxdJgHKjUmKd4b49NsM5yi0147063","width":1200}' data-trix-content-type="image" class="attachment attachment--preview"><img src="https://uploads.sendfox.com/media/pL2pTl0JutiBQKT4fXxdJgHKjUmKd4b49NsM5yi0147063" width="1200" height="900"><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure></p><p>Wait wait! We forgot the best-est celebration of all!</p><p><strong>🎉 #6: Give your favorite furry friend a cuddle...</strong></p><p>...and tell them how there's one more book in the world that celebrates love just like yours. </p><p><figure data-trix-attachment='{"contentType":"image","height":1599,"url":"https://uploads.sendfox.com/media/PuwIgoatdS27hjoEgZdbiWPOIUC782IGIaBNbWlg147063","width":1200}' data-trix-content-type="image" class="attachment attachment--preview"><img src="https://uploads.sendfox.com/media/PuwIgoatdS27hjoEgZdbiWPOIUC782IGIaBNbWlg147063" width="1200" height="1599"><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure><figure data-trix-attachment='{"contentType":"image","height":1600,"url":"https://uploads.sendfox.com/media/ajdbfyZHwv5GxocjNek6w4IPEUFP9hNgbmDJe6na147063","width":1200}' data-trix-content-type="image" class="attachment attachment--preview"><img src="https://uploads.sendfox.com/media/ajdbfyZHwv5GxocjNek6w4IPEUFP9hNgbmDJe6na147063" width="1200" height="1600"><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure><figure data-trix-attachment='{"contentType":"image","height":1599,"url":"https://uploads.sendfox.com/media/8z6SS5KPOCQtI92dzEuPETTTNqwXZQ6tfzylhW14147063","width":1200}' data-trix-content-type="image" class="attachment attachment--preview"><img src="https://uploads.sendfox.com/media/8z6SS5KPOCQtI92dzEuPETTTNqwXZQ6tfzylhW14147063" width="1200" height="1599"><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure></p><p><strong>Yours in book-ish joy,</strong></p><p><strong>Christy &amp; the Shelties</strong></p> ]]> https://christymatheson.com/events/holiday-market-i-will-have-all-paperbacks-plus-gift-bundles-available-at Christy Matheson https://christymatheson.com/events/holiday-market-i-will-have-all-paperbacks-plus-gift-bundles-available-at Event Tue, 9 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Happened on 2025-12-23 <![CDATA[ <p>I will have all paperbacks plus gift bundles available at the Eugene Holiday Market, December 23-24th.</p> ]]> https://christymatheson.com/updates/long-list-for-the-chanticleer-awards-the-horned-women-amp-other-stories Christy Matheson https://christymatheson.com/updates/long-list-for-the-chanticleer-awards-the-horned-women-amp-other-stories Update Tue, 9 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Update post. <![CDATA[ <p>"The Horned Women &amp; Other Stories" is on the Long List for the Chanticleer Awards, in the Collections &amp; Anthologies category. This book contains three novellas and a short story.</p> ]]> https://christymatheson.com/updates/phase-2-of-the-author-shout-awards-the-squire-amp-his-magical-library-has Christy Matheson https://christymatheson.com/updates/phase-2-of-the-author-shout-awards-the-squire-amp-his-magical-library-has Update Tue, 9 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Update post. <![CDATA[ <p>The Squire &amp; His Magical Library has moved to Phase 2 of the Author Shout Awards! Semi-finalists will be announced mid-December.</p> ]]> https://christymatheson.com/updates/best-novelette-the-horned-women-is-the-finalist-in-the-american-writing Christy Matheson https://christymatheson.com/updates/best-novelette-the-horned-women-is-the-finalist-in-the-american-writing Update Tue, 9 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Update post. <![CDATA[ <p>"The Horned Women" is the Finalist in the American Writing Awards for Best Novelette.</p> ]]> https://christymatheson.com/blog/why-cozy-fantasy-isn-t-so-cozy-why-cozy-fantasy-isn-t-cozydo-you-define Christy Matheson https://christymatheson.com/blog/why-cozy-fantasy-isn-t-so-cozy-why-cozy-fantasy-isn-t-cozydo-you-define Blog Tue, 9 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Blog post. <![CDATA[ <p><strong>Why “cozy fantasy” isn’t cozy</strong></p><p>Do you define yourself as a cozy fantasy reader—or perhaps you think cozy sounds boring? Some of you are women’s fiction or historical readers and maybe haven’t thought about it at all. I’ve taken a deep dive into the genre, and what I’ve found in the books themselves is not what I expected. </p><p><strong>In this newsletter:</strong></p><ul> <li>What surprised me about “Cozy Fantasy”</li> <li>Two free books for you: love letters and dogs</li> <li>What I’m working on</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ul><p><strong>Cozy Fantasy: What surprised me</strong></p><p>I have scoured blog posts, Reddit threads, and social media trends, and then read through all the top recommendations for cozy fantasy. The same few books are recommended over and over, so this is a pretty comprehensive evaluation of the books that are primarily cited.</p><p>One important note: What is <em>in</em> the books is different from what people say when they’re talking <em>about</em> the books. As a former literature and history scholar, I know…always trust the primary sources!</p><p><strong>I confess—I was expecting cute fairies and slice-of-life plots.</strong></p><p>But my conclusion is that the new genre designation of “cozy fantasy” is more about the emotional journey. It’s what I was looking for at the library search terminals (you remember, there were databases you couldn’t access at home!) and type in “character-driven fantasy.” </p><p>Yes, the “coziness” has some thematic elements, like found family. But fantasy has always featured found family; in the tropes like a magical school, the quest, and the underdog enemies joining forces against a larger evil. I have been reading fantasy for decades, and the genre has always included the personal journey.</p><p>But the thing is, crafting a book is just as much about what you leave out as what you put in. In order to have an epic quest with tons of trials and monsters, the character- and relationship-building has to be implied.</p><p>Therefore, “cozy fantasy” is not so much because the plot is mellow, but because the authors include more character depth. To me, this means that the stakes feel even higher—I was racing through the last quarter of these books!</p><p><strong>Three levels of stakes</strong></p><p>When I started to consider whether to market my books as “cozy fantasy,” I was worried that my stakes are too high and some scenes are too dark. After exploring the titles themselves, I think the Castle in Kilkenny books are coming in right where readers expect—plenty of adventure and lives at risk.</p><p>Some reviewers describe Cozy Fantasy as super-mellow, slice of life books. This is where the writing <em>about</em> cozy fantasy diverts dramatically from what is in the books. Google AI currently scoops the definition: “prioritizes a comforting, low-stakes, and often heartwarming experience for the reader.”</p><p>But other librarians put cozy fantasy in three levels of stakes: low, medium, and high. (Just like most other genres!)  (Confession: I usually DNF “slice of life” or “inner angst” books—I want outside stakes and adventure!)</p><p>After reading over a dozen of the most-recommended cozy fantasy books, my conclusion is that most of them are medium or high stakes. There is arson, kidnapping, avalanches, gory monsters, and even a full-on battle against an army who destroys everything in its wake. Most of the main characters have deep inner wounds, and backstories forged in war, discrimination, and poverty. </p><p><strong>So what makes them cozy?</strong></p><p>Well, first of all, let me confess that I don’t like that descriptor at all. I think—like “women’s fiction”—it implies something that is not found in the text, and makes it easy for people who actually would like the books to dismiss the genre. So we’re taking “cozy” as a genre term and not a dictionary definition.</p><p><strong>A happy ending</strong></p><p> When you read these books, you have the feeling that everything is going to work out in the end. I’m racing through the last section of the book because I want to see how the characters resolve the problem, not because I’m worried the narrator is actually going to be trapped or murdered.</p><p><strong>Strong character &amp; relationship development</strong></p><p>To me, this is key. This is fantasy where we really know the characters deeply, and resolving their internal wounds is just as important as escaping the endless winter. </p><p><strong>Characters beyond the tropes</strong></p><p>Many of the characters in these books are not the ones we have been reading about for the last fifty years: bold, heroic, big tall men falling in love with voluptuous women. These characters are gay, older than the typical heroine, and socially awkward. I would go as far as saying that <em>every single book</em> on this list has reversed gender stereotypes and a character coded as not neurotypical. </p><p><strong>Focused location with emphasis on building a home</strong></p><p>These books didn’t need a world map in order to keep track of what was happening, but they often begin with a dramatic move to a unique location. So the stakes can be high (the marauders are coming! the children are being stolen!) while the main characters are trying to protect their own home, community, and loved ones. </p><p><strong>Sensory depth</strong></p><p>Rather than sounding like a food blog, these books used sensory experiences to deepen the character and heighten the impact of the stakes. The characters frequently had skills with baking, reading, sewing, and concocting. The descriptions were just as plot-important as forging a sword is to epic fantasy.</p><p><strong>What I didn’t find at all</strong></p><p>There was really no evidence of cute fairies, baby dragons, or adorable pixies. Basically, if you could find it at a third-grader’s birthday party, it was <em>not</em> in these books. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Conclusions</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Basically, I find the new term of “cozy fantasy” to be a logical descendent of what many of us have been reading for years: uplifting, character-driven fantasy. The name doesn’t make sense to me, but I support having terms that help readers find the books they want. </p><p>As for myself, I will be seeking out more medium/high stakes cozy fantasy with complex, diverse characters! </p> ]]>