Gnomes, Hobgoblins, and Brownies: A Look at Some of the Tiny Titans of the Mythical Realm
Fae Planes Drifter – Preorder today!
💫🌟 Greetings Friends! 🌟💫
Just a quick reminder: Fae Planes Drifter: Otherworld Outlaws 4 is DONE and on preorder. It will hit stores August 19. Available at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple, Google Play, and Kobo.
Book 4 in the Otherworld Outlaws series, an action-packed romp through the Wild West, loaded with living myths, dark magic, and bloodthirsty monsters aplenty.
After narrowly escaping the unbearable lich Brother Havóq and flirting with death herself, Lula finally gets her mitts on the Sleg of Assal. At long last, the key to busting her dad out of supernatural jail! But who would've guessed it would be a dirt-loathing, murder-happy weapon with an attitude sharper than its pointy end? As if that wasn’t bad enough, three shady hobgoblins are now hot on her tail, itching to grab the infamous weapon for their unsavory troll of a boss, Motherlode Mankiller.
Meanwhile, Hattie's in a pickle of her own. A smooth-talking conman and horse thief named Knox has his greedy peepers on her ranch, and there's a little problem with the deed—namely, there isn’t one. Desperate for some otherworldly help, Hattie discovers the answer to her problem is in Tír Na nÓg. And now that she has the spear, Lula won’t let anything, not even common sense, get in her way from springing her dad from his mystical cell. Ignoring everyone’s warnings, these two stubborn gals gallop headfirst into the Otherworld.
But getting there is a cakewalk compared to the horror show that's waiting for them. To face a creature too ghastly to imagine (or even get anyone to spill the beans about), Lula and Hattie have to dig deep for their courage and moxie. Can Lula find her father before the Morrígan—or something way worse—catches up with them? And can Hattie snatch the magic she needs to save her ranch from Knox's sticky fingers? In this potion-slinging weird west Celtic fantasy, the stakes have never been higher, and the chuckles never louder. So grab your hats, grimoires, and six-shooters, and buckle up for one hilariously hair-raising journey through the Otherworld!
GET YOUR COPY AT: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple, Google Play, and Kobo.
In celebration, I have a special surprise for you all—I’ve discounted the rest of the series in my direct store. Just click the image below to go there and catch up with Lula, Hattie, Toxicore, and Paddy while you’re waiting for Fae Planes Drifter.
Want an Advanced Review Copy of Fae Planes Drifter?
If you’ve enjoyed and reviewed any of the other books in the Otherworld Outlaws series and would like an advanced copy of Fae Planes Drifter, send me your name and email address and I’ll make sure you get one.
Comic-Con!
Comic-Con 2023 was a delight! You might remember, I was a guest on a Weird West panel, along with K.C. Grifant (Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger), Jonathan Maberry (Deadlands: Ghostwalker, The Good, The Bad & The Uncanny: Tales of the Weird West), Jonathan Fesmire (Bodacious Creed trilogy), John Palisano (Try Not to Die: In The Wild West), Richard Carter (lead designer for Doomtown: Reloaded), and Ross Fisher-Davis (writer for Doomtown: Reloaded). If you were there, I hope you had as great a time as we all did. And if you didn’t make it this year, I highly recommend it. The world’s biggest Nerd-Fest, so much to love!!!
The Good Stuff
You might have notice that I had a bit of a “whoops” in my last newsletter where my poll about what y’all would like to read about next was broken. So *insert self-satisfied grin* I decided to cover a topic near and dear to my heart—Toxicore! I know—ew! Who would want that nefarious little hobgoblin anywhere near their heart, amiright? Nevertheless, the lore surrounding mythology’s many tiny titans is VAST, to say the least, and I have a few different varieties in the Otherworld Outlaws. Let’s take a closer look, because though there are lots interesting similarities, the differences are even better.
Gnomes, Hobgoblins, and Brownies: A Closer Look at Toxicore and Some of the Other Tiny Titans of the Mythical Realm
When you’re dealing with the world of folklore, it’s a bit like dealing with an eccentric family reunion. You’ve got your heavy rockers, the grumpy uncles, the busy aunts, and those that are just a bit too friendly. In our folklore family, we’re talking about gnomes, hobgoblins, and brownies.
Let’s kick things off with hobgoblins, the mythical equivalent of that rebellious teenager who’s always up to no good. These little rascals are the punk rockers of English folklore, always on the lookout for a good prank or a bit of mayhem. If a hobgoblin invites you to a party, you’d best decline unless you want to spend the night chasing your own tail or laughing till you pee—like literally, they’ll enchant your bladder so you’ll have no more control—at a joke you don’t remember. So, do remember this: if you spot a hobgoblin on your lawn, probably best to just move to a condo.
Then we have brownies. Not the delicious chocolatey kind, but the helpful little critters from Celtic and Scottish folklore. They’re like the overzealous Neighborhood Watch, tidying up your house while you sleep and making sure everything’s in order. Brownies are like the friendly but slightly creepy neighbor who mows your lawn without asking. Yes, it’s nice, but also... why?
And let’s not forget about gnomes. These little fellas are the tree-hugging hippies of the folklore world. Like Jerry Garcia, but only two feet tall. These guys are so into nature they might as well be made from compost. Originating from Germanic and Scandinavian traditions, gnomes are all about that, ahem, green life. They’re mostly chill, but if you disrespect their plant friends, you’ll have a tiny, angry, bearded environmentalist to deal with.
Now, it’s time for a pop quiz! Who can tell me what Paracelsus, the 16th-century Swiss physician, and gnomes have in common? That’s right, Paracelsus was the guy who categorized gnomes as the earth’s elemental spirits. Like, they’re literally made of dirt. Paracelsus considered these teeny beings as guardians of the earth’s treasures. He even believed they could guide humans in understanding the mysteries of nature. So remember, if you ever find yourself lost in the woods, ask a gnome. They know their stuff.
Now, allow me to introduce you to a friend of mine (whom most of you already know): Toxicore, a hobgoblin with a serious identity crisis. Despite his hob roots, Toxicore prefers to be called a gnome. Why, you ask? Well, it’s simple. Charm. Gnomes are like the A-list celebrities of the mythical world—they’re loved and adored. Hobgoblins, on the other hand, are more like the bad boys your mother warned you about.
Toxicore, our self-proclaimed Renaissance man, aspires to be more than just a mischievous hobgoblin. He wants to be charming and beloved and a little less of the guy everyone shuns at bars. Which is why he took up necromancy as a trade… ? Sooo, maybe he’s a little slow in understanding exactly how to ingratiate himself among his taller human cousins, like that guy at the party who insists he’s a vegan while scarfing down bacon-wrapped broccoli. He’s trying to fit into the human world, but he’s not willing to give up his magical roots. And why should he? He’s got the best of both worlds!
Toxicore might prefer the title of “gnome” for its charm, but don’t be fooled. Beneath his gnome facade, he’s still the same old Tox, ready to stir up some mischief with a wink and a grunt. And if he’s been huffing pixie dust, well, best you leave the party early, lock your doors, and call it a night.
But let’s not forget, folks, these are all just stories. Or are they? Have you ever found your keys in a place you could swear you didn’t leave them? Or come home to a mysteriously clean house? Or found your garden flourishing despite your notorious lack of a green thumb? Maybe, just maybe, there’s a little more to these tales than we think.
Or maybe we’ve just been drinking a little too much elderberry wine. Who knows? So, if you’re ever in a jam, think of these folklore friends: pray for a gnome’s guidance, hope for a brownie’s diligence, or brace for a hobgoblin’s prank. And if you happen to stumble across a “gnome” with a mischievous grin and a twinkle in his eye, be sure to hide your pixie dust (and why do you have pixie dust, anyway?).
"A mysterious clean house"? HA! As if!