Announcing the re-release of Celtic bard Bill Watkin's first two books

July 29, 2011 - PRLog -- The time for re-release has finally arrived - less than two weeks away! On August 9, 2011, Bill Watkins’ first two books will once again be available to the public (A Celtic Childhood ISBN 978-0-9765201-8-4; Scotland Is Not for the Squeamish ISBN 978-0-9765201-7-7; Reprint Editions, Scarletta Press).

Bill will be celebrating the re-release of these two novels at Merlin's Rest Pub on August 9. The open house goes from 5:30 pm to 7 pm, and Bill will read excerpts from the books beginning at 6 pm. Merlin's Rest Pub is located at 360 East Lake Street in Minneapolis, 55406.

Bill Watkins has been a cultural icon of Minneapolis for many years. His spirited nature only makes him that much more endearing to the people he meets everyday. This characteristic is easily portrayed in all three of Bill’s books, which have the feel of a true storyteller. His books are “stuffed full of mischief and yearning, and all manner of whimsical absurdity that bedevils the soul of the dispossessed Celt.” — Erin Hart, author of Haunted Ground, Lake of Sorrows, and False Mermaid.

The two books have been reformatted to fit the design of Bill’s third book, The Once and Future Celt, previously published by Scarletta Press in May 2008. "The trilogy now has the look of a complete set with a single publisher." says Nancy Tuminelly, president of Scarletta Press. The two titles are being pushed to readers in the electronic format, but will also be available in short print runs. Currently in high demand, both are already facing second prints. (HURRY AND BUY YOUR COPY TODAY!)

A Celtic Childhood vividly portrays his eccentric and richly colloquial Celtic family; his vibrant Irish mam whose “hand is on the tiller” as the head of the household; his principled but stout-loving Welsh dad, who dances a jig to escape from the fairies; and his Grandda, who has “a generous supply of Celtic songs and tall stories for all social occasions.” The fleádh nights with his family bring forth a rich understanding of young Bill’s place in Celtic history.

Continuing from where A Celtic Childhood left off, Scotland is Not for the Squeamish reflects on the events that transpired through Bill’s early twenties and shaped him as a man. Rich and colorful, Bill Watkins deftly mingles Celtic poetry, history, and song with true and tall tales of his high-seas adventures and explorations of the Scottish highlands. Tackling his rugged surroundings with humor and smarts, Watkins recounts the magic of his younger years of soul-searching exploration in animated detail, giving Scotland is Not for the Squeamish the rare quality of equaling its predecessor.

Both books are currently available for pre-order from all vendors including Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and will be readily available come August 9. The trilogy’s third book, The Once and Future Celt, is available for sale at your nearest retailer or online. To learn more about Bill Watkins, please visit www.keltcom.com or www.merlinsrest.com.

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