Wild Freedom. Want to know more?
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Would you like to go on a journey with me?
Several years ago, in response to a personal crisis, I wrote a fairy tale. Once upon a time. The next lines jumped into my mind. Once upon a time, there lived a queen with her daughter. What next? My pen flew across the page to catch the rush of words. My unconscious was telling me a story I didn’t know I knew. The result was “The Princess Who Found Her Name,” a magical tale filled with animal guides and a lost and found heart.
When I recently rediscovered this tale, I wanted to revisit the circumstances under which the fairy tale arose and how it has been a harbinger for my life’s journey, which is a story in itself. You can read about that in my essay, “Writing as Self-Enchantment: Thoughts on Imagination, Mystery, and the Unconscious.”
If you are familiar with my writing, you know that the role the unconscious plays in our lives has long fascinated me. That’s why I went to Zurich to study at the C.G. Jung Institute to deeply immerse myself in the works of Carl Jung, a time I describe in “Treating Patients or Creating Characters? Making the Choice.” When it came time to choose, I realized I wanted to be a writer, not an analyst. Jung’s work continues to inform my writing, both in fiction and poetry.
Knowing all that, you can imagine how honored I was when four renowned Jungian analysts graciously contributed commentary essays on “The Princess Who Found Her Name,” relating it to the archetypal theme of a heroine’s journey.
All of these strands — the fairy tale, my essay on self-enchantment, and the essays by these Jungian scholars — come together in my new book, Wild Freedom: The Princess Who Found Her Name — On Fairy Tales, Imagination, and the Creative Mind. Chiron Publications is publishing it on May 5, which is terrifically exciting.
With deep appreciation, I share these words about Wild Freedom from Judith Claire Mitchell, author of A Reunion of Ghosts:
“The book will speak to and inspire not only writers and artists, but anyone fascinated by the mysteries of the mind, the process of creating, and the power of stories.”
If you’d like to help support me and my new book, here are a few ideas you might consider:
Please pre-order it. (That is, order the book before its May 5th pub date. It really helps! When pre-orders come through, distributors are alerted to keep it on hand, and bookstores are more inclined to order). See links below to pre-order.
Request Wild Freedom at your local bookstores and library.
If you’re in a book group and it feels appropriate, suggest reading it — and consider inviting me to join you! (I’d be delighted to be there virtually if my schedule allows. No fee involved.)
Writer friends, if you're interested in reviewing, please contact my publicist Jonathan (jonathan@wildboundpr.com). He'd love to know and will support you however possible.
I'm setting up travel dates, so let me know if I can come and read (with you!?) in your area.
I do have some upcoming events scheduled. If they are near you, please join me. I’d love to meet you.
April 12, 2026 Rebecca Aronson & Dale M. Kushner Read Their Poetry
– in person at Yoga Source, Santa Fe, NM
April 23, 2026 The Art of Memory: A Conversation with Dale M. Kushner and Viviane Silvera
- in person at Chazen Museum of Art, Madison, WI
May 7, 2026 Dale Kushner in Conversation with Tamara Dean
-- in person and livestreaming at Mystery to Me Bookstore, Madison, WI
May 30, 2026 Online launch of Wild Freedom with analysts Henry Abramovitch, Dariane Pictet, and Murray Stein (via Zoom)
June 5, 2026 Dale Kushner in Conversation with Rita Mae Reese (details to come)
Fair warning! This excited author will be sending a few more updates on author appearances, a Goodreads Giveaway, and more.
Do good things!
With care and gratitude,
Dale
