Dark & Twisted Folklore Stories from Around the World

Let me invite you on a journey where every shadow tells a tale of witchcraft, persecution and persistence. In this beautifully illustrated volume, discover witches real and legendary, who once cursed, inspired, helped or empowered their communities, but who are now largely forgotten.

The Book of Forgotten Witches is a hardcover collection of folklore stories of legendary and historical witches, with over 80 stunning, spooky illustrations. Meet ten different categories of witches, from curse-bringers, shape-shifters and survivors to revenants, nature witches and fate-turners. Most, but far from all, are women, and their stories come from across the world.

The idea for the book came from my friend Lilla Bölecz, an accomplished illustrator with a dark, spooky art style that has inspired many readers in the USA, England and Hungary. We share a long-standing interest in folk tales and illustrated books about faeries, cryptids, vampires and similar beings. We are always on the lookout for such books, but we have never come across one about what we are most interested in: witches. One day, about 4 years ago, Lilla turned to me and said, Let’s make a book about the folklore of witches!

We had no idea how much work it would take, but after years of research, illustration, writing and a great deal of luck, we are finally able to present you with what we have been working on.

The Book of Forgotten Witches is published by Watkins and illustrated by the limitless Lilla Bölecz, who even wrote a couple of folklore entries for the book. Available as hardback, ebook and audiobook in September, 2024.

Learn more about the book at forgottenwitches.com