Supporting Independent Craft
Here in the Introvert, we believe in independent small businesses that promote the values of old: honesty, quality, and sustainability, creating community by supporting real connections between human beans 🫛.
Iris Retzlaff is a Master Procrastinator with special training in escapism and a head full of imaginary people and their stories.
She/they can also usually be found on Instagram, screaming about books with like-minded book dragons @fendassor
Iris Retzlaff's books
Happily Maybe After trilogy:
As long as Bran could remember, he had had but one dream: to be a hero. The stories made it sound pretty forward: you save a princess, you become a hero. Unfortunately, every princess has already been saved, and every evil been defeated. When Bran, against all odds, finds himself a princess to save at last, nothing is quite as it was in the stories. The princess is not quite a princess, and the fairy godmother a rude drunkard with a terrible memory. To make a hero out of Bran, yet, he, Finn, and the pixie Pax embark on a journey that will turn Bran's world upside-down.
The complete novella trilogy is available as an ebook and in paperback on Amazon and at the Dreamer’s Bookshop.
And the very new release!!!
Moon's Lament:
Betrayal took everything from him. His love, his home, his name. Years later, Suzu has built himself a new life, found a new home, and people he calls family. But the pain from the past is not so easily overcome, and the memories he tried to forget come crushing down on Suzu when he runs into the one person he never ever wanted to see again. Jin left behind the boy he loves to build a life for both of them, but five years have passed and he has hardly achieved anything. Worse, his love has vanished without a trace and the monks at the temple they grew up in pretend to have never heard of Kari. At least Jin has his best friend Niall and a boss who is like a father to him. When Jin and Niall sneak into a high society party to gather juicy gossip and useful rumours, they learn of a young couple in the employ of the Earl of Tsukikage that has gone missing, but not even their families seem concerned. To get behind the mystery of their disappearance they need the help of the Earl's lover – Suzu. Grudgingly, and only to prove the Earl's innocence, Suzu agrees. But what they find instead is a conspiracy that puts the whole empire at risk. And in its wake follow old enemies. Once again Suzu might end up losing everything and everyone he holds dear, until all that is left is revenge.
Moon's Lament is a tale about love, found family, betrayal, loss, revenge, and the masks we wear.
Available via all major retailers in ebook, hardcover, and paperback November 13th!!!
Check on GoodReads!
Follow Iris's work on social media, and GoodReads!
Iris Retzlaff for the Introvert
Dee Dee Chainey is an archaeologist by training, and co-author of The Treasury of Folklore book series. She is founder of The Cultural Futures Hub, a digital community space, and co-founded #FolkloreThursday, a popular website and online community.
Follow Dee Dee's work on social media to learn about folklore and storytelling, and be in the know about news and events!
Ready to embark on your own journey through folklore?
Get your copy of The Treasury of Folklore here!
Or visit the online exhibition.
The Treasury of Folklore, co-authored by Willow Winsham and illustrated by Joe McLaren, was released by Batsford Books in August 2024. As the Treasury of Folklore series was originally planned as a single volume, this book is a compilation of our favourite tales from three previous books.
Dee Dee Chainey for The Introvert
Marcus Jose, Cornwall on Camera: Capturing Cornwall's Essence Through the Lens.
Balancing a professional career with the responsibilities of caring for four autistic young adults, Marcus finds solace and inspiration in the natural landscapes of Cornwall.
Follow Marcus's work on social media, learn from his YouTube channel, or better still! Join his community on Facebook Public Group!
Marcus is a dedicated landscape photographer based in Cornwall, known for capturing the region's unparalleled beauty. With a lifelong passion for photography, Marcus has spent years documenting the iconic locations, historic tin mines, and mesmerizing seascapes of Cornwall. Specializing in long exposure and astrophotography, Marcus brings a unique and ethereal quality to each image.
Balancing a professional career with the responsibilities of caring for four autistic young adults, Marcus finds solace and inspiration in the natural landscapes of Cornwall. Through the lens, Marcus shares the enchanting light and timeless beauty of the region, inviting viewers to experience the magic of Cornwall.
Cornwall, with its rugged coastlines, historic tin mines, and breathtaking seascapes, offers a canvas of natural beauty that has long captivated both visitors and locals alike. As a landscape photographer, I've been fortunate to witness and capture the essence of this enchanting region through my lens.
Nicola is a professional photographer specialised in
Newborn, Family and Preschool Photography.
Having experienced the transformative power of mindfulness & photography, Nicola is eager to share her journey. She invites you to explore My Little Photo Diary, a collection of photographs captured during her mindfulness practice, to discover the healing benefits for yourself.
On Substack, Nicola explains the benefits of using all senses to ground and connect to the present moment. She helps you quiet down your mind, uncover the magic, and see what is hidden by your ever-raging thoughts.
My Little Photo Diary is constantly evolving, so stay tuned for more exciting updates! In the meantime, visit:
My Little Photo Diary on Substack
And follow on Instagram!
For more insights into Nicola's work, visit Nicola Pass Photography. You can also connect with her on social media:
It's taken me a fair few years to talk about my story of discovering mindfulness, and in all honesty, it was never my intention to write about it.
But after four years of researching, studying, and practising, I find myself here, writing about it. I am by no means an expert or guru in writing, for that matter. I'm just an average person talking about my own human experience with mindfulness and how it has helped me, hoping that maybe it will also help you.
This is my story.
Dawn Nelson lives within the beautiful South Downs. Her specialism is landscape, heritage and nature interpretation. She works with heritage sites, museums, schools, outdoor educators, community groups, councils and libraries to bring the world around us to life through story.
She has worked with The South Downs National Park Authority, Butser Ancient Farm, Gilbert White's House & Gardens, Petersfield Museum and Winchester Museum as well as many other organisations in Hampshire and Sussex.
You can find her performing stories at events such as Boat Burnings, Beltane celebrations and multi-period re-enactment shows.
Her passion is connecting people with nature, history and the landscape that surrounds them, through storytelling and you can keep up to date with Dawn’s work by visiting her website www.ddstoryteller.co.uk where you will find her newsletter, podcast, news and upcoming events.
Stories of the Sun
Within the pages of this book lies the chance to reconnect with our primal life force through folklore, exploration of ancient cultures, myths, legends and tales of our past. By understanding the power of our ancient star through the wisdom of those who walked this land before us, we can hope to unplug ourselves from the synthetic glow that surrounds our lives and reconnect with the Stories of the Sun.
As an author, podcaster and performance storyteller, working to connect people with the landscape, heritage and nature, I recorded a year of sunrises when I challenged myself to get up once a month and greet the day...
About The Folk Lore Box
Behind this fantastic enterprise is Matt Willis - graphic designer by day and conjurer of mythical craft shaped by his love for illustration and folklore by night.
His successful story of channelling his passion into the indie business is immensely inspiring!
No words of mine will tell you the story better than the man behind the Folk Lore Box himself!
Read it HERE!
About Wildlife Fen:
Inspired by the love for the Natural World and seasonal life.
Its founders have been studying and enjoying nature for most of their lives. This has evolved in many ways, from growing organic herbs, plants and produce to foraging wild edibles and healing plants.
Today, they create artwork using plants they grow or sustainably forage, weaving them into items to support your wellbeing and self-care practices and encourage a deeper connection with nature.