Bluestone Folklore

All life pivots around the sacred apple tree in the Bluestone Woodland. Its roots anchor the foundation of the Old Man’s acreage. But now the world is stricken by fire, drought, and flooding, and all the while, the deer of the Bluestone Woodland are being slaughtered by the Man with the Crooked Finger and his sycophants.Born in a coyote’s den not far from the sacred apple tree, the white-faced Yearling was the first fawn to emerge after many barren springs. She and the doe clan to which she belongs have always relied on the protection of the Old Man and his acreage. When a mysterious sound begins to haunt the Yearling and twilight descends on their Eden, she and the others—including the revenant Buck—set their sights on the North Territory: a haven rumored to be high in the mountains and untouched by man. Can they escape the Man with the Crooked Finger’s Thin the Herd crusade?Move in the shadow of the falcon and race along the rattlesnake’s back—for the old devil is in the woods, and in the end, a sacrifice must be made.Bluestone Folklore is an homage to the sacred feminine, religious stories and myths, and the supernatural undertow of the natural realm. Its cloak is woven with sheer yarn to reveal an exploration of toxic masculinity, shame, and the painful intersection where intrinsic trauma meets destruction.

About the Author

Timothy Stoddard was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, when Blue Lakes Drive still had poplar trees. His fourth-grade storybook on the Salem witchcraft trials was published in-house and archived in the school library. Years later, he had a stint as a high school yearbook reporter, where he ultimately served as editor-in-chief. After such illustrious writing adventures, Timothy veered toward a new path: training in the dark art of classical singing. Timothy is an award-winning, freelance tenor who has appeared internationally in works of opera, oratorio, musical theater, and art song. His debut album TAROT (Navona Records) was released in 2023. He is currently based in Pittsburgh and the Catskills with his husband, Brian and their dog, Dakota.

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