Roots & Rivers

There is something deeply human about stories.
Long before we built cities, crossed oceans, or carried entire libraries in our pockets, we gathered around fires and kitchen tables. We shared tales of gods and monsters, heroes and tricksters, spirits and creatures that lurked just beyond the edge of the known world. These stories helped us explain the unexplainable, make sense of our fears, celebrate our victories, and remind us that we were never truly alone.
Roots & Rivers was born from that tradition.
Within these pages, you'll find familiar figures wearing new faces and ancient myths retold through fresh eyes. You'll wander alongside gods of old and encounter creatures that have stalked the imaginations of generations. You'll meet cryptids hidden in the shadows, jinn carrying secrets across centuries, and leprechauns guarding more than pots of gold. You'll travel from the marble halls of Greek mythology to places far removed from ancient legends—a bustling call center in the Philippines, quiet rural roads, forgotten corners of the world where folklore still lingers just beneath the surface.
Some of these stories are retellings. Others are entirely new. Yet all of them spring from the same source: our enduring desire to wonder.
According to Harvard Library Research Guide, "Folklore helps us understand society, cultures, communities, groups, and individuals. Studying folklore develops analytical skills and cultural sensitivity. Most importantly, it engenders understanding of and respect for others, as well as better understanding of ourselves.” Today’s world could use a little more understanding.
One of my favorite things about folklore is how it evolves. Stories are living things. They travel with us, adapting to new places, new cultures, and new generations. Every storyteller adds something of themselves to the tale before passing it on. A myth whispered around a fire centuries ago may become a short story, a novel, a movie, or a family tradition. The details change, but the heart remains.
That spirit is what you'll find in this collection.
As you read, I hope you'll imagine us sharing a cup of coffee or tea together, talking about the stories that shaped us. The tales we loved as children. The legends our grandparents told us. The creatures we secretly hoped were real. The myths that continue to captivate us long after we've grown up.
Whether you're here for ancient gods, supernatural mysteries, eerie folklore, or simply the joy of discovering a good story, I hope you find something that stays with you long after you've turned the final page.
Thank you for joining us on this journey.
So settle in. Pour yourself something warm. And let's follow these roots and rivers wherever they may lead.