Dr. Ceallaigh S. MacCath-Moran
@csmaccath.com
Folklore PhD, author, poet, musician.
Rep. Kelly Thomas at Serendipity Literary Agency ([email protected])
https://linktr.ee/csmaccath
Rep. Kelly Thomas at Serendipity Literary Agency ([email protected])
https://linktr.ee/csmaccath
Issue 4, Autumn 2025 of THE DAILY TOMORROW went out over the weekend, in which editor Jeffrey Sun had kind things to say about "A Mouth Full of Stones."
Find the issue here: dailytomorrow.substa...
Find the issue here: dailytomorrow.substa...
January 12, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Issue 4, Autumn 2025 of THE DAILY TOMORROW went out over the weekend, in which editor Jeffrey Sun had kind things to say about "A Mouth Full of Stones."
Find the issue here: dailytomorrow.substa...
Find the issue here: dailytomorrow.substa...
The January 2026 Folkbyte is posted, with news of my work, archival poetry, and a Gaelic blessing of the season from the Carmina Gadelica.
Find it here: csmaccath.com/januar...
Find it here: csmaccath.com/januar...
January 8, 2026 at 2:08 PM
The January 2026 Folkbyte is posted, with news of my work, archival poetry, and a Gaelic blessing of the season from the Carmina Gadelica.
Find it here: csmaccath.com/januar...
Find it here: csmaccath.com/januar...
I have three yards, so enough for a garment. I don't often wear skirts, but I was thinking of a long, pleated, tartan skirt like the photo I've attached. I could dress it up with a black blazer and wear it when I deliver papers and workshops.
January 2, 2026 at 5:34 PM
I have three yards, so enough for a garment. I don't often wear skirts, but I was thinking of a long, pleated, tartan skirt like the photo I've attached. I could dress it up with a black blazer and wear it when I deliver papers and workshops.
My Witches of Scotland tartan fabric arrived today. Designed to memorialize women murdered as witches in Scotland, every thread has meaning. I'll write a more folkloristic discussion of it later, but meanwhile, what should this modern witch and descendant of Scottish women make with the fabric?
January 2, 2026 at 5:11 PM
My Witches of Scotland tartan fabric arrived today. Designed to memorialize women murdered as witches in Scotland, every thread has meaning. I'll write a more folkloristic discussion of it later, but meanwhile, what should this modern witch and descendant of Scottish women make with the fabric?
For those of you who follow the Folklore & Fiction project, are waiting on The Storyteller's Guide to Folklore, or simply want a dose of animism and folklore once a month, remember that you can sign up for the Folkbyte newsletter at: csmaccath.com/user/r...
January 1, 2026 at 9:06 PM
For those of you who follow the Folklore & Fiction project, are waiting on The Storyteller's Guide to Folklore, or simply want a dose of animism and folklore once a month, remember that you can sign up for the Folkbyte newsletter at: csmaccath.com/user/r...
It's been a banner year, and I didn't want to fare it well without writing about it. Here's the post: csmaccath.com/blog/2025InR...
December 31, 2025 at 6:43 PM
It's been a banner year, and I didn't want to fare it well without writing about it. Here's the post: csmaccath.com/blog/2025InR...
Finishing up a pile of year-end writing maintenance. I might have mentioned that I run my career from an internal wiki using the same CMS that runs Wikipedia (MediaWiki). I've just updated to the latest LTS version and love the new look and functionality. Do any of you keep a personal wiki?
December 29, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Finishing up a pile of year-end writing maintenance. I might have mentioned that I run my career from an internal wiki using the same CMS that runs Wikipedia (MediaWiki). I've just updated to the latest LTS version and love the new look and functionality. Do any of you keep a personal wiki?
Sean gave me a book nook kit for Yuletide, and we put it together over the last couple of days. I had never built a model of any kind before, but I loved, loved, loved building this! Also, I think it's adorable.
December 29, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Sean gave me a book nook kit for Yuletide, and we put it together over the last couple of days. I had never built a model of any kind before, but I loved, loved, loved building this! Also, I think it's adorable.
Field Notes for Storytellers is finally open. It took longer than expected to upload the video modules, but first courses are often like that. Now to rest and celebrate for a few days. I'll leave you with this photo of Maddy running in the snow. May we all have such joy. Glad Yule, friends.
December 22, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Field Notes for Storytellers is finally open. It took longer than expected to upload the video modules, but first courses are often like that. Now to rest and celebrate for a few days. I'll leave you with this photo of Maddy running in the snow. May we all have such joy. Glad Yule, friends.
Field Notes for Storytellers is now open for enrolment! Learn more about the course and sign up here: csmaccath.store/b/fieldnotes...
December 22, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Field Notes for Storytellers is now open for enrolment! Learn more about the course and sign up here: csmaccath.store/b/fieldnotes...
Field Notes for Storytellers is now available for pre-order and will launch on the Winter Solstice, December 21st. Here's a preview of the fourth module, which helps you build a technology tool kit for your research and writing.
You can sign up for the course here: csmaccath.store/b/fi...
You can sign up for the course here: csmaccath.store/b/fi...
December 19, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Field Notes for Storytellers is now available for pre-order and will launch on the Winter Solstice, December 21st. Here's a preview of the fourth module, which helps you build a technology tool kit for your research and writing.
You can sign up for the course here: csmaccath.store/b/fi...
You can sign up for the course here: csmaccath.store/b/fi...
Early morning at Bean There in Baddeck. Sean is dropping the truck off at the shop, and Christmas carols are playing on the radio. I love our village, but especially on early, quiet mornings like this one.
December 19, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Early morning at Bean There in Baddeck. Sean is dropping the truck off at the shop, and Christmas carols are playing on the radio. I love our village, but especially on early, quiet mornings like this one.
Field Notes for Storytellers is now available for pre-order and will launch on the Winter Solstice, December 21st. Here's a preview of the third module, which helps you implement extra security measures for important but thorny research.
You can sign up for the course here: csmaccath.store/b/fi...
You can sign up for the course here: csmaccath.store/b/fi...
December 18, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Field Notes for Storytellers is now available for pre-order and will launch on the Winter Solstice, December 21st. Here's a preview of the third module, which helps you implement extra security measures for important but thorny research.
You can sign up for the course here: csmaccath.store/b/fi...
You can sign up for the course here: csmaccath.store/b/fi...
Field Notes for Storytellers is now available for pre-order and will launch on the Winter Solstice, December 21st. Here's a preview of the second module, which teaches storytellers the basics of archival and ethnographic research.
You can sign up for the course here: csmaccath.store/b/fi...
You can sign up for the course here: csmaccath.store/b/fi...
December 17, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Field Notes for Storytellers is now available for pre-order and will launch on the Winter Solstice, December 21st. Here's a preview of the second module, which teaches storytellers the basics of archival and ethnographic research.
You can sign up for the course here: csmaccath.store/b/fi...
You can sign up for the course here: csmaccath.store/b/fi...
Field Notes for Storytellers is now available for pre-order and will launch on the Winter Solstice, December 21st. Here's a preview of the first module, which helps you create a research workflow for world-building and storytelling.
You can sign up for the course here: csmaccath.store/b/fi...
You can sign up for the course here: csmaccath.store/b/fi...
December 16, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Field Notes for Storytellers is now available for pre-order and will launch on the Winter Solstice, December 21st. Here's a preview of the first module, which helps you create a research workflow for world-building and storytelling.
You can sign up for the course here: csmaccath.store/b/fi...
You can sign up for the course here: csmaccath.store/b/fi...
Jólakötturinn says you better hope Grandma knitted you a pair of ugly socks, and you better be wearing them at Christmas. (Am I the only person who thinks Yule Cat folklore was probably invented by grandmothers?)
December 9, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Jólakötturinn says you better hope Grandma knitted you a pair of ugly socks, and you better be wearing them at Christmas. (Am I the only person who thinks Yule Cat folklore was probably invented by grandmothers?)
In my mug this morning: Cream Earl Grey from the World Tea House in Halifax. On my agenda: setting up Field Notes for Storytellers slide decks. What's in your mug and on your agenda today?
December 8, 2025 at 3:14 PM
In my mug this morning: Cream Earl Grey from the World Tea House in Halifax. On my agenda: setting up Field Notes for Storytellers slide decks. What's in your mug and on your agenda today?
The December 2025 Folkbyte newsletter went out yesterday with news about forthcoming short fiction, critical introductions, academic articles, and courses for storytellers. There's also a brief discussion of last month's High Seat ceremony in the UK.
-> folkloreandfiction.com/december2025
-> folkloreandfiction.com/december2025
December 5, 2025 at 7:48 PM
The December 2025 Folkbyte newsletter went out yesterday with news about forthcoming short fiction, critical introductions, academic articles, and courses for storytellers. There's also a brief discussion of last month's High Seat ceremony in the UK.
-> folkloreandfiction.com/december2025
-> folkloreandfiction.com/december2025
Field Notes for Storytellers: Research, Security, and the Archival Muse fills a wide gap in storytelling instruction by helping you organize and conduct the research that underpins the stories you tell. Sign up to be notified when the course launches at folkloreandfiction.com.
December 5, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Field Notes for Storytellers: Research, Security, and the Archival Muse fills a wide gap in storytelling instruction by helping you organize and conduct the research that underpins the stories you tell. Sign up to be notified when the course launches at folkloreandfiction.com.
The photo is mine, but the description comes from the Luss Church website:
"A rare Viking-era grave monument carved to resemble a longhouse roof, dating from around the 11th century. Its pattern of “roof tiles” and later Romanesque arcading mark Norse influence on early Christian art in Scotland."
"A rare Viking-era grave monument carved to resemble a longhouse roof, dating from around the 11th century. Its pattern of “roof tiles” and later Romanesque arcading mark Norse influence on early Christian art in Scotland."
December 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The photo is mine, but the description comes from the Luss Church website:
"A rare Viking-era grave monument carved to resemble a longhouse roof, dating from around the 11th century. Its pattern of “roof tiles” and later Romanesque arcading mark Norse influence on early Christian art in Scotland."
"A rare Viking-era grave monument carved to resemble a longhouse roof, dating from around the 11th century. Its pattern of “roof tiles” and later Romanesque arcading mark Norse influence on early Christian art in Scotland."
New course! Field Notes for Storytellers: Research, Security, and the Archival Muse fills a wide gap in storytelling instruction by helping you organize and conduct the research that underpins the stories you tell. Learn more at the link below.
---> csmaccath.com/courses
#folkloristics
---> csmaccath.com/courses
#folkloristics
December 4, 2025 at 2:05 PM
New course! Field Notes for Storytellers: Research, Security, and the Archival Muse fills a wide gap in storytelling instruction by helping you organize and conduct the research that underpins the stories you tell. Learn more at the link below.
---> csmaccath.com/courses
#folkloristics
---> csmaccath.com/courses
#folkloristics
This is one of the stones left at the Maggie Wall Witch Monument in Dunning, Scotland. In case you can't read it, the inscription says "For the failed women of Scotland. You still deserve so much better." I'll have more to write about this in the Special Dispatches series in the coming year.
December 3, 2025 at 3:01 PM
This is one of the stones left at the Maggie Wall Witch Monument in Dunning, Scotland. In case you can't read it, the inscription says "For the failed women of Scotland. You still deserve so much better." I'll have more to write about this in the Special Dispatches series in the coming year.
I found this fellow guarding the door of an artisan's market in Killin, in the Scottish Highlands, when I was there a few weeks ago. Am I the only person thinking "Fenrir" here?
December 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I found this fellow guarding the door of an artisan's market in Killin, in the Scottish Highlands, when I was there a few weeks ago. Am I the only person thinking "Fenrir" here?
What does the rebel alliance have to do with storytelling? Depends on the story you're researching and the people who want that research. My first Winter Solstice course can help you navigate around them. Sign up for the Folkbyte newsletter at folkloreandfiction.com to be notified when it drops.
December 1, 2025 at 3:30 PM
What does the rebel alliance have to do with storytelling? Depends on the story you're researching and the people who want that research. My first Winter Solstice course can help you navigate around them. Sign up for the Folkbyte newsletter at folkloreandfiction.com to be notified when it drops.
I bought this beautiful version of Tam Lin at the Abbotsford book store in Scotland because I just couldn't stop looking at the illustrations. Here are a few favourites.
November 25, 2025 at 9:29 PM
I bought this beautiful version of Tam Lin at the Abbotsford book store in Scotland because I just couldn't stop looking at the illustrations. Here are a few favourites.