A book of fairy tales inspired by a Fife woodland is to be launched ahead of the annual event at which it was born.
Folkland Fables is a fictional ‘guide’ to the creatures of Folkland Wood, and is weaved with history, legends and geography of the real-life Falkland Estate.
Artist Jenni Gudgeon began penning her debut book after encouragement from visitors to her studio in Dunshalt during Open Studios North Fife.
She had entertained people with stories of her fairy tale creatures but insisted she couldn’t write.
When she woke up with the first line in her head, three days later she realised to her astonishment she had begun writing her fables.
Jenni said: “This book has been written solely because of the wonderful people who visit artists during Open Studios weekend.
“I would never have taken on this challenge without their belief in me.”
Jenni, an award-winning photographic artist whose lifelong fascination for mythology and folklore is reflected in her art, was mentored by local author Sarah Painter.
She said: “Learning to write has been a revelation. I love to create different worlds in words as well as in pictures. My art and my writing are now firmly intertwined.”
Folkland Fables pretends to be a non-fiction field guide to the creatures of Folkland Wood, as if written by a fairy-sighted human passing on their knowledge to the next fairy seer.
Legendary reputations are turned on their head, with Kelpies with low self-esteem, giants acting like toddlers and will-o’ the wisps blowing raspberries.
The book, which will be available as a paperback and ebook from Amazon, will be published on March 27 and Jenni will be selling copies during Open Studios North Fife from May 5 to 7.
