Young, Fairy Census 2 (2017-2023)

This was a reflection on the publication of the Fairy Census . FT 362.

This is a collection of 500 contemporary fairy experiences: most from the English-speaking world. The pdf is 400 pages long: about 160,000 words. The experiences date from the 1920s to the 2010s and respondents were aged from three-years old to ninety when they believe that they encountered fairies. It is hoped that the collection will allow for further studies of the supernatural and of supernatural experiences both by the editor and others. A second phase of collection is now underway.

A sample from the book. 'Discover a world beyond our own in The Fairy Census I (2014-2017), a collection of five hundred extraordinary fairy encounters from all corners of the globe. From brief four-word accounts to multi-page memories, this book is the first of three published volumes for the Fairy Census I and relates to British and Irish run-ins with the fay (§§1-191). Marvel at earthlights, stumps that transform into elves, multicoloured magical ponies and many, many fairy bumps in the night. Each encounter is richly detailed, with data on the location, time of day, the psychological factors surrounding the experience and a number of other points to give depth and context to these impossible happenings. Whether you’re a believer, a Fortean or a sceptic, the Fairy Census will make for entrancing reading.'

An article written for Fortean Times (Jan 2024) to introduce Fairy Census 2. These were proofs and there may be a couple of typos.

Gramayre, 2022

Gramarye 22.2 OGOM Special Journal Issue on Fairies, developed from OGOM Gothic Fairies Conference

A brief overview of the history of the Fairy Investigation Society, based in part on the Folklore article referenced above, with some new sources (e.g. a letter from Arthur Conan Doyle) and some fabulous FIS artwork.

Folk-lore, 2019

A brief account of my experiences with fairy studies. This was published in the Times Higher Education in March 2018.

Introduce the medieval phenomenon of what “Fairy” is/was; shared phenomenon shaped ideas and practices of medieval peoples. Show of the literature that was studied, reviewed, and manipulated to support the thesis subject. Explain methodological approach of the research design. Discuss the points of the thesis; being origins, the phenomenon, and realms. Explain what limitation were encountered in construing a research design with its basis in speculative and scholarly works concerning the period. A conclusion based on findings in known or collected literature, material discovery, methodological approach, and personal normative opinion based on educated and passionate research for a subject that is very close to the treatise author.