Writing about (historical) witchcraft.

Steph P. Bianchini May 23, 2019 8 Comments

It is with a lot of pleasure that I can finally give the announcement. My article “The Inquisitor’s creatures: the historical roots of the witch trope and its evolution over the centuries” is going to appear in the non-fiction book A Shadow Within: Evil in Fantasy and Science Fiction, edited by FT Barbini, and published by Luna Press Publishing.

This is the abstract: “Very few tropes in fantasy are as powerful and evocative as the witch, whether the intention is to portray them as a powerful sorcerer commanding the power of nature and/or resorting to magic to influence human destinies, or as an evil creature connected with, or possessed by, demons. There is no shortage of literature and movies that portray one or more sides of this popular myth. Yet, the figure of the witch has a long and complicated history, beginning in antiquity, leaving a trail of blood and suffering over the centuries. This paper aims to explore the historical and philosophical roots of witchcraft –which is something more specific and time-defined than sorcery — as it emerged in Medieval and Modern Europe. Carrying out a brief exploration of magic in the Western world, from its beginnings up to the last public executions for witchcraft in the 18th century, it highlights the often elusive and changing character of the phenomenon, depending on the society and the period it took place in.

It shows that, while “witches” (as generally intended) have a long and distinguished presence in the Western world as a whole, witchcraft itself, with its paraphernalia of pacts with the Devil, black masses, and so on, is a more modern concept linked to philosophy (mainly Scholasticism) and to the Inquisition’s practices, which eventually led to witch-hunts and widespread persecutions.” (For more about the collection and the other talented authors I am sharing a ToC with, go to the publisher website here).

This is not the first time I work with this award-winning Scottish independent press. I have already co-edited with them Steampunk Writers Around the World – Volume I and it is not going to be the last time (stay tuned).

The book will be released at Dublin Worldcon 2019, on the 14th of August. We’re planning an official event and a roundtable for the book launch. Details to follow soon.