SECRET ROSE: A unique double-book tribute. WB Yeats’s short stories *The Secret Rose* & Orna Ross’s novel *Her Secret Rose* together, in a specially crafted replica of Yeats’s 1897 first edition.
- Genre:
- Biography, Fiction, Historical Fiction, History, Literary Fiction, Poetry, Romance, Spirituality
- Page Length:
- 250 – 500 Pages
- Book Status:
- Working Draft
This year, Yeats lovers everywhere are celebrating the 150-year birth anniversary of the Nobel-laureate Irish poet, who was born on 13 June 1865.
What better way to pay tribute to a writer than to produce a very special book of his work, especially an aspect of his work that has been neglected? And then issue it together with a novel that tells the real-life story-behind-his-stories?
Three Reasons To Support This Crowdfunder
1) You’ll be reviving WB Yeats as a writer of fiction. These stories have been neglected and underestimated by the critics. In the introduction to the book, I explain why these dramatic stories of national and personal vision, that have the flavour of folklore. deserve to be resuscitated. (I believe they are as important to world literature as Grimm’s Fairy Tales).
2) You’ll be creating a very beautiful book (see below). I intend to replicate the beautiful 1897 edition of Yeats, *The Secret Rose*, as designed by his friend, Althea Gyles: dark blue ribbed cloth cover; elaborate gilt on spine, front and back; printed in a special font on laid paper or equivalent; and the mystical symbols that make this edition of the book so iconic. In short, the sky-high production values that Yeats insisted on.
3) You’ll be supporting an indie author’s crazy passion project. Making a beautiful artefact like this is unbelievably expensive these days. The paper alone is hard to source and use in modern machinery. WB Yeats was an indie author himself, as we define it in ALLi (The Alliance of Independent Authors): that is, he took the greatest care with every aspect of the publication of his work. In this, his 150th anniversary year, I want to pay homage to his writing and his values by producing this unique tribute. I can’t do it without your assistance.
Special Edition
This carefully crafted, limited edition book will bring two books together: Yeats’s short stories, *The Secret Rose* and my novel, *Her Secret Rose* (similarity of title no co-incidence!), side-by-side in one volume: SECRET ROSE.
ABOUT THE *SECRET ROSE* BOOKS
Yeats’s book: The Secret Rose (1897)
WB YEATS was a magician as well a writer, a member of the secret society, The Golden Dawn. The stories in *The Secret Rose* revolve around men who must spend themselves in service to this rose, the symbol of mysticism, through love, battle, excess, patriotism or the search for transcendent wisdom.
The linked stories stories provide a way to understand Yeats deepest personal beliefs, the strange things he did with his life, his relationship with Ireland and the occult. And the part allocated to his muse, Maud Gonne.
My book: Her Secret Rose (2015)
I’ve spent years writing a trilogy about the true-life love triangle that was Yeats’s relationship with the Gonne women: Maud and Iseult, mother and daughter. Her Secret Rose (2015) is the first book of the three.
Yeats made a myth (and a poetic career) out of his unrequited love for Maud but this novel goes behind the poetic myth. As its opening page says, “When looked at from the woman’s side of the bedsheet, most tales take a turning. This one more than most.”
“A delicate balance of fact and fiction which kept me riveted from beginning to end.” TheBookBag.co.uk
Packed with emotional twists and surprises, Her Secret Rose is closely based on the letters, journals and notebooks of these two fascinating people. It’s a novel of secrets and intrigue, passion and politics, mystery and magic and surprise — and tells the story of what was going on it Yeats’s life in the turbulent years leading up to the publication of his mystical stories.
“…Ross has ransacked (her word) the best scholarly sources for her facts and ingeniously knitted a complex tale of betrayal, revenge, suspense, murder mystery — and surprise.”
The Irish Independent
LAUNCH – 3rd AUGUST 2015, 5pm, Yeats House, Sligo
I’m honoured to be launching this book at the Yeats International Summer School. Join me, family, friends (and a special mystery guest) and receive a personal “Thank You” for your part in this project.
LAUNCH DINNER – 3rd AUGUST 2015, 7.30pm, Broc House, Lough Gill
After the launch, we will get together in the home of Damien Brennan, President of The Yeats society, where he and his wife, Paula Gilvarry, one of Ireland’s leading chefs, will cook us one of her legendary dinners.
Typically the evening begins with a series of tasty snacks as you sit near the log stove. Dinner is served at tables of ten and between courses, as you take time to digest, Damien brings you the life and poetry of William Butler Yeats.
Dinner may move on to what Damien calls “the noble call”… an Irish house custom where the host having performed his party piece then calls on others to lend a song, a poem or a dance to the evening.
YEATS SUMMER SCHOOL
On this 150th anniversary of Yeats’s birth, Sligo will see the best gathering yet of international Yeats scholars and players for an extravaganza of lectures, workshops, drama, poetry, tours, excursion, music and song.
As part of this crowdfunder, a group of us will attend for either one week or two weeks. The School starts on 27 July 2015. Details of the programme can be found here.
These places are available as rewards on this project (see rewards panel on the right), so you can join in on the celebrations, enjoy good company while there, take away this beautiful special edition as well as unforgettable memories and friendships — all the while knowing you helped to creat this beautiful book.
Creative Mentoring
Those who know me for my creative mentoring work know that I have a long waiting list and places come up rarely. My slate is full with people who are dedicated and determined, and I’m all theirs until they decide they’re ready to go it alone. For this crowdfunder, I am offering a chance to jump the waiting list and enjoy either a single “How To Create Anything” session, or a package of three sessions — together with a signed copy of the book.
IN SUMMARY
Can you help me create this tribute to Yeats as bookmaker and story teller?