Happy malinta!

Malinta is here, when day and night are of equal length. It is a time of magic for foxes. For humans too! This malinta is the vernal equinox, the beginning of the ancient Babylonian calendar, marking the count down to Passover and Easter in the Jewish and Christian faiths, and numerous other events, beliefs and traditions across the globe.

Among these beliefs is that, in the northern hemisphere, the vernal equinox marks the start of spring. Bulbs quiver to life beneath thawing soil. Songbirds trill to welcome the earlier mornings. Butterflies unfurl their delicate wings.

Whether you are touched by warmth or shivering against the cold, I hope that this equinox – this malinta – brings you the magic of a new season, a new sun.

Xx Inbali

I hope your 2017 got off to a wonderful start. I always feel reflective as one year ends and another begins. Added to that, 2017 is a milestone for me, as it will be 10 years this summer since my first book was published. That book was The Tygrine Cat, a feline fantasy set against a backdrop of thousands of years of war between two rival tribes of cats. More recently, I’ve had adventures with foxes. Foxcraft 2: The Elders is out now in English and German and is set for release in other territories over the next year or two. I absolutely love the covers of these books!

I have so much that I want to write this year! I am also keen to commit more time to drawing. I’m excited when I think about the ideas bouncing around my head, but I’m a little scared too. Good scared, I think. Writing isn’t always easy, but it’s truly rewarding.

Here’s wishing you all a year full of laughter, adventures, good health and love. And tons of creativity too! If you’ve been wondering whether to start a new chapter – be it a story or something else – make this the year!

Xx Inbali

The first book of Foxcraft is out now in Japan with Say-zan-sha (静山社) –  フォックスクラフト  アイラと憑かれし者たち. I am thrilled about this as Japan’s very own magical, shapeshifting kitsune was a huge inspiration for the series.

The Japanese edition includes a striking new cover and unique illustrations drawn by a local artist. I think it’s really beautiful – I hope you agree ☺

As I don’t read Japanese, my publishers helpfully sent me a copy of the full book jacket with notes explaining what everything means. It’s a fascinating insight into the anatomy of a book jacket so they’ve kindly allowed me to reprint it here.

The book is available through Say-zan-sha (http://www.sayzansha.com/jp/books/978-4-86389-350-4.html), online via Amazon.jp and at all good Japanese bookshops!

 

Hello readers!

Here it is, the absolutely stunning cover for The Elders, the second installment of the Foxcraft series. It was revealed on Scholastic’s On Our Minds blog this week, together with my illustrations for three new crafts: shana-sharm, pashanada and *shivers* pleaching.

The alluring cover conjures up the magic and mystery of the Wildlands. When I was thinking through the series – before I’d written a single word – I already knew that each book would take place in a new location. Red foxes are incredibly adaptable. These stunning, inquisitive animals can be found as far south as Australia and as north as the Arctic Circle.

To find out more about Foxcraft: The Elders, take a look at the blog, which includes a short interview with me. I can’t wait for the book to come out in the fall, I really hope you like it!

Happy reading,

x Inbali