Four Years

Today (20 December 2015) marks the fourth anniversary of this blog!  A total of 225 Cynthia Mermaid articles have been posted so far, and they have generated over 103,000 page views.

Here are some of the most popular blog posts from the past four years:

Mermaid Marla

Mako Mermaids - My post on the sequel to H2O: Just Add Water earns my most popular blog post award with over 3500 views.

Rare Whale - Second place goes to the Spade-Toothed Beaked Whales featured in this blog post.

Merman Patrick - My interview of Merman Patrick has been my most popular interview.

Mermish 101 - A number of mermaid language dialects have been created, but which ones are actually useful?

Tail Makers - Ready to discover your inner mermaid or merman? Here is where you can buy yourself a tail.

Mermaid Marla - Special recognition goes to Mermaid Marla, whose interview photo continues to be shared regularly on Pinterest.

Thank you all for your readership these past four years! Write to me at the address below so that I can help spread the word about YOUR mer activities. You may also write to request that I interview you for a future blog post.


Mermaid Friends

Claire de Louraille of BuzzFeed would like to share 24 photos 'That will make you wish you went to mermaid school'.

"For starters, just look at how majestic this pod is."

You may recognize a few of the faces in the crowd! Merfolk do love to pose for photographs, and these will make you itching to dive in and join the fun.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Iconic Mermaid Movies

Buzzfeed presents an article by Claire de Louraille and April Salud, 13 Iconic Mermaid Movies That Aren’t The Little Mermaid.

Each listing includes the reason that the duo believe the movie is iconic. The list begins with Miranda and Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid, both from 1948.

How many of the 13 movies have you seen?

Facts and Legends

Next, let us take a look at the article at LiveScience entitled Mermaids & Mermen: Facts & Legends. The first section of the article presents a short discussion of merfolk in ancient times.

Then, the article moves on to modern times, where we find that merfolk never lost their allure.

"There are many legends about mermaids and even a few dozen historical claims of supposedly 'real' mermaid sightings."

Keep the magic alive, merfolk!

Live-Action LMM

Chloe Grace Moretz, the lead in the live-action version of The Little Mermaid, recently shared some information about the upcoming movie. ET Online has the story.

Ms. Moretz noted that since the movie is more in line with Hans Christian Andersen novel than Disney's version, her character will have blonde hair instead of red hair.

"Moretz said that she's very excited to bring this new version of the famous fable to the big screen, and recalled the elation she felt when she first found out she had been cast as the eponymous mermaid."

At this time there is no announced release date for the movie.

Rare Deep-Sea Squid

A rare deep-sea squid, Taningia Danae (Whiplash Squid), has been caught on camera. CNN and NOAA present a one-minute video of the squid for all of us ocean fans to enjoy. 

"An expedition in the Pacific Ocean captured footage of a deep-sea squid, which is rarely seen alive."

Best wishes and starfishes,

-Mermaid Cynthia

cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Mermaid Hair

What does Mermaid Hair mean to you? To some, it is simply hair long enough to cover the breast. To Teen Vogue, it means color and lots of it.

"People are taking to social media to show off these gorgeous rainbow creations, and there’s really no one way to do it."

This article by Emily Gaynor has all the pink and aqua details.


Blue Whales

BBC Photo

The team from the BBC series The Hunt was able to capture footage of blue whales feeding. This was no easy task...

"A team headed by producer Hugh Pearson spent two years tracking these mammals off the coast of San Diego, California."

IFL Science has the story as well as some cool photos in a recent article by Justine Alford.


The Nomadic Boys

Sebastien and Stefan, otherwise known as The Nomadic Boys, are traveling throughout Asia. During a stop in the Philippines, they made a splash as mermen.

"For Seb’s birthday we took a mermaid lesson with the Philippines Mermaid Swimming Academy, which includes a very cute teacher to teach you how to swim wearing a monofin and of course, the all important photo session."

Join the duo as they learn that swimming like a mermaid or merman is hard work. Dive into Choose Philippines for the story and a generous supply of photos.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Lost At Sea

The Guardian has the story of the fisherman from El Salvador that was lost at sea for 14 months. The article by Jonathan Franklin gives a fascinating account of Salvador Alvarenga's trip on the Pacific Ocean.

"Floating across the Pacific Ocean, watching the moon’s light ebb and flow for over a year, Alvarenga had battled loneliness, depression and bouts of suicidal thinking."

The article includes photos, a video, and a map of the fisherman's journey.


Moving Out

The third season of Mako Mermaids has finished filming, and producer Jonathan M. Shiff is now moving his production company out of their Village Roadshow Studios lot to make way for Kong and Thor.

"The third 16-part series of Mako Mermaids employed about 150 crew and 350 extras and will screen in almost 200 countries."

For more details, check out this article by Suzanne Simonot in the Gold Coast Bulletin.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Activist Mermaid

Mermaid Hannah Fraser recently teamed up with Greenpeace in support of ocean sustainability and fair labor practices. Their target is a big name in the tuna industry.

"Despite its sustainability claims, the company uses fishing methods that unnecessarily kill marine life..."

Get the full story at EcoWatch, and be sure to share the article with others. You can follow Greenpeace USA on Twitter.


Mermaids in Paradise

We have looked at Mermaids in Paradise by Lydia Millet a number of times before, most recently in May of this year. This review of the novel by Wendy Smith at The Daily Beast is definitely worth a look.

"No one else writes fiction quite like Lydia Millet’s. She’s a wickedly funny satirist, yet her work has a warmth seldom found in satire."

Add this title to your autumn reading list. It is available at your favorite online book retailer.


Mermaid Crafts for Kids

Does your little one love mermaids? Okay, that's pretty much a given. Here are some fin-tastic mermaid craft projects for kids, courtesy of Liz at the Kids Activities Blog.

"For everyone that wishes they had one of those gorgeous, sparkly tails, here are a bunch of fun mermaid crafts to make."

Perfect for rainy days, or those "I'm bored" evenings. Time to get creative!


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Wyland Gallery Shows

Wyland

Wyland, well known for his paintings and sculptures of ocean life, will be hosting a number of gallery shows from October 2015 to January 2016. These gallery shows will include four in Florida, two in California, one in Las Vegas, Nevada, and five in Hawaii.

Visit Wyland's web site for all the details. While you are there, look for information on the new Wyland Ocean Realm Magazine.

Wyland Galleries recently announced the first in a series of fine art collaborations between Wyland and surrealist portrait artist Dick Zimmerman. Visit Wyland Galleries and look for the pieces named Sea King and The Captain.


Mermaid Tattoos

Cartoon District has 50 fine examples of tattoos featuring mermaids in this article from back in April.

"Cartoon characters have enlightened our lives; they are not for entertainment but also for learning things as we can realize many aspects of life by watching cartoons."


Milestone

Just after my previous blog post went online, we hit the 100,000 page view milestone. Thank you all for your continued support!

The current hot topic is Mermish 101 from January 2012. Right behind is Coney Island Parade 2015 from back in June.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Mako Mermaid Speaks

Fans of Mako Mermaids, currently available on Netflix, are sure to enjoy this interview of Mako star Allie Bertram (Mimmi) by Andrew Rogers.

You may also be excited to hear that the show is currently filming its third season, for release in 2016.

"For Bertram, she feels good about being on the show because it shows strong, female characters solving problems on their own and it gives young girls good role models that are lacking from a lot of other shows on television right now."

You can find Twitter and Instagram contact information for Allie at the bottom of the article.


Singapore Pod

We have talked about the Singapore Mermaid School a number of times in the past. In this update, columnist Hilary Whiteman of CNN brings news from mermaid instructor Syrena. She wants to create Singapore's first mermaid pod.

"I wanted to create a community where people who shared the same interests could come together."

At the top of the article is a short video on the mermaid school. Later in the article, the mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs in Florida get center stage.

The article ends with the topic, 'What's it like to wear a tail?'


Most Famous Mermaids

Who are the world's most famous mermaids? This short photo gallery by CNN opens with Ariel of The Little Mermaid. No surprise there.

What might be your guesses for the remaining six? Did they leave anyone out? I could name a few for sure.


Dark Tide

Dark Tide is the third title in Jennifer Donnelly's Waterfire Saga. We talked about Rogue Wave, the second title in the series, back in November of 2014.

In her blog, Such a Novel Idea, Jess introduces us to Dark Tide, and is ready to fill us in on the previous titles we may have missed.

"Once a lost and confused princess, Serafina is now a confident leader of the Black Fin Resistance."

Learn more at the Waterfire Saga web site, where you also find links to purchase the novels.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Progreso Mermaid

Let us begin today with a letter I received recently from Dana, a Second Life mermaid.

Hello Gold Mermaid: 

I'm an SL mermaid and follow your blog. Thought I would send you along this photo; it is a large statue placed in the middle of a traffic circle that leads from town to the harbor and marinas of Puerto Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico. You can see it clearly HERE. 

Progreso is very much a fishing city, so you can imagine how the Mermaid is seen as the queen of sealife here! Not a bad thing, seems to me. Please feel free to use the photo in your blog if you like. 

Thank you for your blog and all you do in SL. Enjoy! 

Dana Enyo
Sirena, 1788 Boston Harbour

 That is a great photo, Dana! Thank you for sharing. Readers, click on the photo to see it full size.

Tech-Savvy Dolphin

By now you may have heard of the woman that lost her cell phone in the water during a trip to the Bahamas. All was not lost, however.

As luck would have it, a dolphin by the name of Cacique saw the phone fall and retrieved it.

"This isn't the first time marine-related life has tangled with technology."

Catch the full story in this C|Net article by Amanda Kooser.

Dream Job

Professional Mermaid/Merman is becoming the career of choice for many. So, how many Mer Professionals would you guess there are in the United States?

According to the United States Bureau of Statistics, one thousand Americans work as mermaids or mermen full time. That is an impressive number!

"From being hired out for children’s birthdays, pool parties or working in aquariums, it seems the yanks love the human/fish hybrid."

Professional merfolk aren't limited to the US, we're everywhere! Read more in this article by Matt Payton for Metro.co.uk.

Best wishes and starfishes,

-Mermaid Cynthia

cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Meet Mermaid Chelsea

Mermaid Chelsea

A number of Florida's Weeki Wachee mermaids will be visiting the Newport Aquarium through October 12th. The web site Cincinnati would like to introduce you to Mermaid Chelsea, one of the mermaids performing at the aquarium.

"People are often surprised that the mermaids keep their eyes open during their shows, sing, drink and eat underwater."

The Newport Aquarium is located just southeast of Cincinnati, Ohio. Driving directions can be found at the aquarium's web site.


Mermaid Mode

Ricoh has recently added a special mode their WG-40 series of cameras in order to allow photographers to take better photos underwater: Mermaid Mode.

"Ricoh says its R&D team studied the characteristics of images taken underwater, and produced a collection of settings to compensate for the optical losses that are typically incurred when working in sub-aqua environments."

The down side is that the camera are currently only available in Japan. We can hope that this will change in the near future.

Find out more about the WG-40 and WG-40W in this article at DP Review.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Mermaid Economy

Our first story this week takes us inside the mermaid economy, of professional mermaids, and the places that hire them. In this story from Fast Company, writer Elizabeth Segran takes us to the Dive Bar in Sacramento, California.

Dive Bar Mermaids

Here we meet Rachel Smith, the head mermaid at Dive Bar. Ms. Smith and the other original mermaids at the bar were trained by Los Angeles based Linden Wolbert. The article continues with a segment on Mermaid Linden and Fin Fun founder, Karen Browning.

"Last month, the company (Fin Fun) sold 50,000 mermaid tails, which cost a little over $100, and sales appear to be growing."

Did I read that right? Fifty Thousand? The article is a great read, and there are some cool photos and videos that you will enjoy as well.


Mermaid Hannah

This collection of photos of well known mermaid Hannah Fraser are simply beautiful. The article is from Isla Rose at Bored Panda, and is in honor of their charity of the month, The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

"Hannah takes photographs in the ocean with many different creatures but mostly whales, dolphins, sharks and manta rays in an act of advocacy for their plight."

Learn more about The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society at their web site.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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An Open Letter

Lisa Kaas Boyle is an attorney, a consultant, a writer, and a mermaid. In an open letter to a popular chain of coffee shops, she calls attention to the plastic pollution caused by their containers and straws.

"Plastic straws and stirrers are the Number 7 most common item found on beaches worldwide on International Coastal Cleanup day, the single largest volunteer effort on the planet and source of valuable data for what ails our seas."

The article at Huffington Post Green contains the hard facts around plastic pollution, as well as the steps you can take so that you do not add to the problem. Don't make a mermaid cry.

Even if you don't live near the coast, you can still have your own community cleanup day. Look for plastic bottles and cups scattered around your neighborhood. Save them for your community recycling day.


Dancing Mermaids

This just in from Benbrook, Texas: NBC-5 of Dallas / Fort Worth has the story of wheelchair dancing mermaids in Benbrook. For young girls in wheelchairs, dance routines and a touch of mermaid magic make all the difference.

"The girls have come up with their own adaptations of the 'Whip and Nae Nae' dance and for their big recital, they wore sparkly mermaid tails and danced to a song from The Little Mermaid."

The best part is, the girls are loving it! Check out the article by Amanda Guerra for the full story.


Tails and Fins

In a recent blog post, Stephanie Nelson of NieNie Dialogues tells us how much the girls are loving their new mermaid tails. Of course they are! Stephanie has one, too!

The boys haven't been left out, they are enjoying their new shark fins.

Plenty of great photos in the article, be sure to check it out.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Mermaids of Spain

Susana Seuma

The Wall Street Journal may not be the first place you would look for articles on mermaids, but we merfolk are turning up everywhere these days. On August 27th, the paper covered the story of Susana Seuma, founder of the first mermaid school in Spain.

"After reading about the academy online, an 8-year-old girl from Turkey dragged her family to Spain for a day of swimming you can’t get in Istanbul."

The article and companion video also touch on the controversies around using a mermaid tail in community pools.

Columnist Matt Moffett also interviewed Matthieu J. Guitton, who wrote a paper earlier this year on the communities of Second Life. He was quite impressed with the mermaid community there.


Meet Hannah Fraser

Fans of Mermaid Hannah will want to explore this article by Troy Oakes for the Vision Times. Covering both land and sea, the four videos of Ms. Fraser are sure to entertain, yet they also carry a message.

"Her performance is a protest against Australian shark culling and the global slaughter of sharks."

You may want to also check out the other Wild Life articles featured on the page.


Giant Manta Rays

Next, dive deep with Mermaid Melissa as she visits Queensland's Great Barrier Reef and swims with Giant Manta Rays.

"She twists and turns below the surface of the sea, watching as a group of the rays congregate closer to the ocean floor."

The article is presented by the Daily Mail Australia and Freya Noble.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Sky Pool

Incredible or terrifying? That is the question posed by this article by Lauren Smith in House Beautiful. We're talking about a unique swimming pool.

"A South London apartment complex is building the first-ever Sky Pool, made of eight-inch-thick glass and suspended 10-stories above ground."

The only thing this pool needs is a mermaid!


Mermaid Makeovers

Project Mermaids is in the news once again. Actresses Brianne & Haley Tju were recently given mermaid makeovers, and their photo shoot produced fin-tastic results.

Both women described the experience as a dream come true.

Enjoy the photos in the article by Kristine Hope Kowalski over at Twist Magazine.


Mermaid School Expands

The Canadian mermaid school, Aquamermaid, continues to expand. There is great demand for mermaid and merman classes for both children and adults.

"Aquamermaid surfaced in Montreal in February, has just floated into Toronto and will make the leap to Ottawa come September."

Get the full story over at CBC News in this article by business reporter, Sophia Harris.


Hot New Trend

According to The Cut, a feature of NY Magazine, the hot new trend is... Mermaids. New? We've been in the middle of it for years, but now celebrities are diving in as well.

Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, and Miley Cyrus are just some of the celebs that have recently realized that, "Life is better, down where it's wetter."

"Miley, of course, appears to have started the trend, sporting her mermaid tail back in July."

As I've said before, there won't be anyone left on land pretty soon.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Fifteen Secrets

Thinking of making mermaiding a career? If so, you may find this article useful.

Hanna van der Gaag, a mermaid from the Netherlands, was recently interviewed by BuzzFeed writer, Maggy van Eijk. Hanna would like to share 15 tips on mermaiding as a career.

Do you enjoy working with children? Do you have a way of getting from the dressing room to the pool? These are just two of the details that new professional mermaids may not think of right away.

While the article is entitled '15 Secrets Professional Mermaids Won't Tell You', that is not actually the case. Many professional mermaids and mermen are more than happy to share the ins and outs of the profession.


Universal Studios

So where was Mermaid Cynthia last week? Did you miss me a little bit?

Last week was a chance to get away, and a chance to visit Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.

I stayed in Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Not technically on the beach, but equipped with a beach-like swimming pool. I knew I was in the right place when I saw the mermaid murals at the resort's Starbucks coffee shop.

The primary reason for the trip to Universal Studios was to visit the Harry Potter themed areas, Diagon Alley (Universal Studios) and Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure). The two areas are connected by the Hogwarts Express, a short train ride. Any fan of the Harry Potter books and movies would feel right at home in the Harry Potter themed areas. I would highly recommend the 'Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey' ride, by the way.

The weather in Orlando has been quite warm lately, and one does get thirsty. Try the Butterbeer or the Gilly Water. Fans will remember that Harry used Gillyweed in The Goblet of Fire to stay under water for an extended period of time. Gilly Water, while not as memorable, was also mentioned in the novels.

Click on the photos to the right to see them full-size. I am hoping to post additional photos from my trip soon. Many are not mermaid related, but might be of interest to those planning a trip to Orlando.


Model Mermaid

Meet Pan Gaojie, a Chinese model turned mermaid. Mashable has the story in this article by Elizabeth Pierson.

"And though she can't yet live under the waves, she certainly makes a splash in local pools, where she practices swimming."

The short article includes a number of great high-rez photos. Be sure to check it out!


Mermaid Photoshoot

Here is a mermaid photoshoot with a splash of color. Fashionably Geek and Sean Fallon are sharing a wealth of photos of a mermaid photoshoot featuring Sofia Chang.

The photographer is Pheonix Lin, and there is a question and answer section at the bottom of the article.


Eyes As A Canvas

Eyes are the canvas for the art of Tal Peleg in this set of photos at Bored Panda. This is no ordinary eye makeup.

"Inspiration is all around me, and I give my own unique artistic interpretation using makeup."

While all of the creations are stunning, you won't want to miss the one entitled 'The Little Mermaid'.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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MI/NY Mermaid Schools

Elena Nannoshi, president of World of Swimming mermaid schools, is holding classes in Michigan thru August 7th. Her school in New York runs August 12th thru 14th. If these dates are too soon for you, more dates are planned for the fall.

All the details can be found in a Huffington Post article by Cameron Keady.

"On the first day of mermaid school, students are -- after learning how to safely put on their tail -- asked to come up with their own mermaid story."

The article includes a number of photos and a link to the school's web site. It's time to get your tail wet!


Mondays for Mermaids

Continuing our recent focus on mermaid themed novels, we are taking a look at two titles by author and blogger, Joanne Guidoccio.

"Today, I’m launching a series to honor those fascinating creatures that have enchanted humankind for centuries."

The first two titles in the series are Between Land and Sea, and The Coming of Arabella. A third title is in the planning stages.

In addition to announcing the mermaid book series, Joanne's July 20th blog post takes a look at mermaid history. You probably didn't study near enough mermaid history in school.


Mermaid Miley

Would you believe? Mermaid Miley Cyrus has been spotted. Check out this story from People Magazine.

"The 22-year-old singer is now the proud owner of a mermaid tail. Cyrus showed off the scaly green and blue faux fin in a new Instagram photo."

The article by Lindsay Kimble explains why Miley's top looks a bit odd. She wasn't wearing one. Photoshop to the rescue.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Of Land and Sea

Author Lisa Dawn offers a fresh take on the classic Little Mermaid story. Releaed in March of 2010, 'Of Land and Sea: The Untold Story of The Little Mermaid' may not have seen the audience it deserves. Let's get right to the synopsis:

Everyone thinks they know the story of the ambitious young mermaid who traded her voice for the chance to be granted a human soul. However, very little is known about the temple princess who unintentionally prevented the mermaid from attaining her goal--until now, that is. Meet Helena of Kamdren, a sheltered young woman who is exiled to the holy temple due to her sacrilegious belief in mermaids. 

When Helena finds herself engaged to Prince Aiden of Ganchepone, she has no idea of the impact she has on the life of a beautiful little mermaid she had encountered many years before. Of Land and Sea is a tribute to Hans Christian Andersen as a continuation of the beautiful tale he wrote so many years ago.

Of Land and Sea can be found on Amazon in either Kindle format ($4.50 US) or paperback ($10 US).


eBook Raffle Winner

A total of seven Cynthia Mermaid readers entered last week's raffle for the eBook version of ’How to be a Mermaid’ by Erin Hayes. The lucky winner, selected at random by Rafflecopter is:

Rainne A. of the United Kingdom

Congratulations, Rainne! Ms. Hayes will be in touch with you very soon. Thank you to everyone that entered!


Disneyland Mermaids

Back in 1959, Disneyland held a grand re-opening of Tomorrowland with the Submarine Voyage ride. A nearby lagoon featured mermaids that would wave and blow kisses to the crowd.

"Passengers aboard the monorail zooming around the park could also see the mermaids from above, sunning themselves on a rock in the lagoon."

You can find the full story, and a number of fine pictures, in this article by Sara Boboltz for The Huffington Post.


Down East Mermaid

On August 1st, Eastport Maine will see the completion of a project five years in the making. A bronze mermaid, the work of artist Richard Klyver, will be installed along the sea walk.

"The mermaid does not have a name yet, but local school children are expected to participate in a naming contest this fall, according to Klyver."

For all the details, swim on over to this article at The Bangor Daily News.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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eBook Raffle

'How to be a Mermaid' Raffle

In my previous blog post, we were introduced to author Erin Hayes and her newly released young-adult novella, How to be a Mermaid. I have since read the book, and found it to be an excellent read.

This week, I am teaming up with Ms. Hayes to give away an eBook copy of How to be a Mermaid. The raffle is being conducted by Rafflecopter, and opened when this blog post was published on July 21, 2015. The raffle will end on July 28th at 12am US Central time. Good luck to all!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Glass Mermaid

The second title in the Falling in Deep collection was released on July 14th, The Glass Mermaid by Poppy Lawless. Here is the synopsis:

Kate

I'm the last mermaid.

I’m back on shores of Lake Erie, but the cold waters are silent. There is nothing here for me but ghosts and the beach glass that litters the rocky shore. Long ago, I lived below the waves. Now, I am the sole survivor, and at long last, my mermaid glamour is leaving me. 

Every day, I walk the beach. Every day, I wonder what happened to my people. The little pieces of colored glass that wash ashore give me simple pleasure. They are gifts from the lake, reminders of home. I fashion them into trinkets: necklaces, earrings, bracelets. They are beautiful things. The humans seem to love them. 

Every day, I walk the beach. Nothing ever changes, until the day he says hello.

Cooper 

I’m dying. 

It’s not a question, it’s a fact. The cancer is eating me alive. They told me I have six months to live, maybe less. I came home, back to Chancellor on Lake Erie, to die. The sunsets are vivid there, and I will relish every one. 

I've never seen anything more beautiful than a Lake Erie sunset until I see her. 

All life is as fragile as glass. 

What would you sacrifice to save the one you love?

The story, like the synopsis, is presented from two points of view, Kate's and Cooper's. This works very well for this story. Pay a visit to Amazon, where you can find the Kindle edition of The Glass Mermaid for only 99 cents.


Eggs and Seaweed?

According to Gizmag, the wise folks over at Oregon State University have developed a variety of dulce that tastes like bacon.

"Not only does it apparently taste like bacon, but its translucent crinkly red leaves even look a bit like it, too."

Catch the full story in this article by Ben Coxworth. Will you be on board when this product hits the market?


Halifax Entertainment

The mermaids of Halifax Entertainment are in the news once again with a great article at The Globe and Mail of Canada.

"It’s hard to pinpoint why mermaids are suddenly everywhere."

Mermaid Raina and her team of five are already booked solid through the summer. Those humans do love mermaids!


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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How to be a Mermaid

Author Erin Hayes has recently released the young-adult novella, How to be a Mermaid, part of the Falling in Deep Collection. The full collection will consist of 15 titles that feature mermaids and other creatures of the deep.

You can find more info and a synopsis of the book in this article by Maggie Castelluccio at Literary Winner. The site is also sponsoring a contest for a 'Mermaid Care Package' which ends this coming Wednesday, July 15th. Don't miss your chance to win this great collection of items which includes a signed copy of How to be a Mermaid.

Here is a message from Ms. Hayes...

Hi everyone! I'm so glad that Mermaid Cynthia reached out to me about my latest book, How to be a Mermaid. I've been writing and learning about mermaids - both real and fictional - to prepare for this book and I hope you enjoy it as much I did writing this story.

When I first started writing How to be a Mermaid, I knew next to nothing about professional mermaiding. I looked online, watched videos, and kept an eye on forums, but I didn’t think I’d get a chance to see a mermaid in real life. And if it wasn’t for the Georgia Aquarium’s Festival of the SEAson, I probably still wouldn’t have been able to.

As part of the Georgia Aquarium’s Christmas celebrations, the Weeki Wachee Mermaids did a special performance at the aquarium. I went to a meet and greet with one of the mermaids and watched them do a live show.

It was one of those defining moments in my life. Watching these mermaids perform was like watching fantasies come true. Up until that point, mermaids were a thing of myth or research for me.

The mermaids of Weeki Wachee brought them to life. 

While I was there, I also did a behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium. My wonderful guide took me to areas where a lot of aquarium goers don’t venture. I got to see my favorite animals, the whale sharks, from a whole new perspective. I learned that they ship in food everyday from New Zealand for a particular animal’s diet. And I saw the inner workings of one of the world’s biggest aquariums. 

The mermaids were enchanting, but I found that the living, breathing aquarium was just as magical. There are far too many things on this earth that we take for granted. The beauty of the sea is one of them. 

The entire experience was eye-opening. A lot of conservation efforts are going on taking care of the animals and our oceans. If we don’t take care of our environment, there will be less opportunities for future generations to see the beautiful ocean and its creatures. 

We have a fantastical, magical world around us. And I appreciate all that real life mermaids do to celebrate and enhance the beauty of the ocean for all of us. I hope we get to enjoy our seas for years to come.

Thank you, Erin! How to be a Mermaid is available now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I hope to have announcements of more titles in the Falling in Deep Collection in future blog posts. In the meantime, keep up with the Falling in Deep Collection at their Facebook site.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Mermaid of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

On a recent trip to Europe, author and speaker Hayley Hobson payed a visit to Ireland and the Cliffs of Moher. She described the view as absolutely breathtaking.  I would agree!

But there was more. The elderly tour guide told a wonderful story of The Mermaid of Moher. Hayley found the story of the mermaid, along with the beauty of the cliffs, to be very calming.

Read about Hayley's journey, and the story of the Mermaid of Moher, in her article at Positively Positive.

Photo at right by Moher Lodge.


Mermaid Cookies

When mermaids get hungry, its not seaweed they crave. It's cookies!

If you find yourself looking for a mermaid party idea, try these Mermaid Cookies from the Wilton Blog.


Mermaid Rescue?

The video is billed as 'real mermaid rescue and release TV footage', but haven't we seen her somewhere before? Yes, we have, it's Mermaid Melissa!

The 4-minute video is fun to watch, though. Head on over to Sutbeat.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Manatee to Mermaids

July is the perfect month to visit a number of Florida attractions. From Snooty the Manatee to Mermaids, there will be plenty to do.

The Orlando Sentinel has all the details in an article by reporter Matt Mauney.

"The world's oldest manatee in captivity celebrates another birthday, along with former mermaids making a comeback and new exhibits opening at museums across the Sunshine State."

The article includes 48 photos from Weeki Wachee Springs, both recent and from years gone by.


Mermaid Photo Exhibition

Mermaid Lori Pappajohn

Mermaids Are Real is the name of a photo art exhibition that showcases mermaiding around the world. The exhibit is the work of mermaid Lori Pappajohn, and it is scheduled to open in New Westminster, British Columbia this weekend.

"But if you happen to spot a mermaid's tail splashing out in Vancouver's English Bay or in a local pool, don't be too alarmed."

Swim on over to CBC News British Columbia for the full story on the photo exhibition. You will also enjoy the six photos included in the article.


Best Books on Mermaids

Julia Eccleshare, The Book Doctor, shares her favorite mermaid themed books for children and teens in a recent article at The Guardian. The Little Mermaid is included, of course, but what do you suppose her other selections might be?

"Stories about mermaids seem to abound from all countries where there is a long shoreline."

And what are your favorite mermaid stories? The Book Doctor would love to hear from you.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Coney Island Parade 2015

This past Saturday was the date of the 33rd annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade! Since 1983, folks from all over show the world their mermaid, merman, and sea creature personas.

The parade received extensive coverage in the media, from its home in New York to the west coast and beyond. Here is a sampling of the recent articles on the parade, and each has a generous number of photos.

Timeout New York invites you to 'See jaw-dropping photos' from the parade. Perhaps jaw-dropping carries a bit of exageration with my readers. This article is by Vivienne van Vliet, and includes 30 photos.

Next up is the article from Entertain This! at USA Today that suggests we 'Forget Ariel: These Mermaid Parade costumes are outrageous!' Carly Mallenbaum is the author of this article, and it includes nine cool photos. You are going to wish you were there!

Our third and last article is from the San Francisco Gate. Eight images are included with the article.

Mesmerizing Mermaid

Originally billed as a Halloween tutorial, this mermaid makeup video from MakeupByAlli is sure to inspire you to create your own unique look. No need to wait for October.

The 14-minute video has already been viewed over 154,000 times, and has received rave reviews.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Unknown Species

Just off Puerto Rico, a number of previously unknown creatures have been discovered. Casey Chan and Gizmodo Sploid have the story.

"Our oceans hide so many breathtakingly beautiful species that don’t look like they’re from our planet..."

The article contains a three minute video and an animated GIF so you can join in the exploration.


LA Mermaid School

Been reading about the Canadian mermaid schools and wishing there was one closer to home? If you live in the greater Los Angeles area, you may rejoice!

Seventeen brings us word of the school run by Sheroes Entertainment. Child (age 6+) or adult, mermaid or merman, you are welcome to join in the fun. Swimming ability is required.

"In this fun-filled fin-tasy guests will have the opportunity to learn what it takes to be a real Hollywood mermaid and master some of the basic techniques that our professional mermaids use in TV commercials!"

Prices start at only $40 for a 75 minute class, so dive right in!


Afghan Mermaid Tail

Don't put away the yarn and crochet hooks just yet. Makezine is featuring a wearable Afghan Mermaid Tail project that one should be able to complete in a weekend.

In this article, Shelly Bunyard provides a step by step guide to creating the mermaid tail. Previous crochet experience is probably a good idea. You will certainly enjoy step 17, "Get cozy".


Rise of the Mermaids

The Guardian recently published a story by Jessica Glenza on Weeki Wachee Springs, the city of live mermaids. We have seen a number of articles on Weeki Wachee recently, but this one covers a lot of material. We begin with a look at the mermaids, the park's main attraction.

"Women leave the spring shivering from the 30 minute performances in the 74 degree water."

The article continues with a section devoted to Mermaid Melissa and Vine video producer, Dennis Doucette. Later, the subjects covered include tail-making and diversity.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Mysteries of the Deep

Paula Guran has assembled a wealth of deep water themed fiction, Mermaids and Other Mysteries of the Deep. The collection includes The Drowned Mermaid by Christopher Barzak, The Mermaid Game by Chris Howard, and The Sea Change by Neil Gaiman. There are 22 stories in all.

"Powerful and incomprehensible, the oceans were thought to be the home of many monstrous creatures..."

Details can be found at Black Gate. The book totals 384 pages and retails for $15.95 US in paperback or $6.99 US for the digital edition. Look for it at Amazon and Barnes & Noble at a discount.


Street View Under The Sea

Watch humpback whales swim by or explore a shipwreck, with all the comforts of home. Google Street View is ready to take you under the sea. Visit American Samoa, the Bahamas, or the Great Barrier Reef. C|Net and Lance Whitney have the story.

"As one example cited, the Great Barrier Reef faces such threats as an increase in storms and rising water temperatures, causing the reefs to bleach white."

According to the story, more undersea views are planned, so don't swim too far away!


Toronto Mermaid School

Here is an update on the Toronto Mermaid School. The school by Marielle Chartier-Henault is scheduled to open on July 5th. For all the details, check out these two short articles:

The first is offered by CTV News Toronto. The second article is from Derek Flack and BlogTo.

"Mermaid school is pretty much exactly what it sounds like, where swimming classes take place in full fins and other appropriate attire."

Future mermaids and mermen, it's time to go to school.


Mermaid Decor

Mermaids and mermaid fans, I have just what you need... a mermaid themed mailbox.

Completely Coastal is the place to go to check out what is hot in mermaid decor and wall art. Perhaps the mermaid shower curtain or ceramic vase is more your style.

"Mermaids are free, beautiful, and they swim in the ocean all day. What's not to love?"

My favorite is the set of four mermaid coasters. What is yours?


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Leave the Land Behind

Mermaids Hannah and Melissa are in the news again this week. In a short article at First To Know, AdrinaRose Movsesian provides a little background information on the two mermaids.

"Hannah created her first tail when she was just nine-years-old."

The article contains an 8-photo slide show of Hannah, and a 7+ minute video of Melissa in action. Links are also provided to each of the mermaid's web sites.


More Mermaids Than Men

Weeki Wachee Mermaid Kylee

Would you believe that the small Florida town of Weeki Wachee Springs has more mermaids than humans?

Join us behind the scenes at Weeki Wachee as Luke Johnson and Mashable tell the story of the Florida state park known far and wide.

"Even the mayor, Robyn Anderson, is a former mermaid."

A generous collection of hi-rez photos and a wealth of background information make this a must-read article for any mermaid fan.


Deep Ocean Creatures

When you are a mermaid, you need to know who your neighbors are down below. Gizmodo and Maddie Stone are here to help by introducing us to a number of 'never before seen' ocean creatures.

"For the first time ever, a collection of strange, beautiful, and totally-alien looking creatures that live some 10,000 feet below the ocean’s surface are saying hello to humanity."

Check out the 1.5 minute video and the photos, brought to you by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).


Top Ten List

Do you love to sew? Do you have a young mermaid's room to decorate? Need pajamas for yourself?

A recent design challenge at Spoonflower provides us with a list of their Top Ten Mermaid Fabrics. In truth, the list doesn't stop at ten. Most, if not all, of the 365 entries are available for viewing and purchase.

Which is your favorite?


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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The Professionals

Today we look at the professionals, the ones that brave the cold waters, stinging jellyfish, and squealing kids to make mermaiding a career. The ones that truly love answering the question, "What do you do for a living?"

Mermaid Melissa

Professional Mermaid Life

Our first story today comes from Priceonomics. In this article, columnist Zachary Crockett focuses on Mermaid Melissa, a professional mermaid since 2007.

"What started as her offering to perform at children's parties has since expanded into a fully-staffed 'mermaiding troupe' that puts on shows all over the world, and an arsenal of five custom-made mermaid performance tanks that are rented out frequently for private parties."

In addition to being a performer, Mermaid Melissa is also well known as an activist and voice for all animals, not just marine life: "Let's help save the oceans before all creatures become mythical."


The Perks

Camille Antoni and Vice Media bring us our next article, 'The Perks of Being a Professional Mermaid'. This article highlights career mermaid Claire, said to be France's first professional mermaid.

"Surprisingly, nobody in France had heard of mermaiding so Claire took it upon herself to get the scene started."

Birthday parties are great, but when the Paris Aquarium calls, you know you're on to something!

The article includes a video showing still shots and video clips of Mermaid Claire in action.


Not Just For Kids

For those new to the mermaid world, note that you don't need to be a professional to enjoy mermaiding. You don't need to be a particular age, and you don't need to be female.

CBC News Calgary shares with us an article by Danielle Nerman, 'Mermaid tails not just for kids, say adult mermaids'. Very true! This article continues the discussion: Are mermaid tails toys? What is the safety concern?

The article also covers adult mermaids and professionals, including well known mermaids Hannah and Raina. Be sure to take a look at the 14-photo slide show.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Second Pan Trailer

The second trailer is out for the movie Pan, starring Levi Miller as Peter. In the first trailer, we found out that Cara Delevingne is playing the part of a mermaid in the film. In the short glimpses offered by this second trailer, it appears that Cara is actually playing twin mermaids.

There are a number of recent articles on Pan and the second trailer. I will share two with you today. The first article is from Courtney Lindstrand of Teen Vogue. This article focuses on Ms. Delevingne and includes the 2.5 minute trailer.

Jess Denham and The Independent bring us the second article on the new trailer. In addition to the trailer itself, this article includes six film stills and news of a petition. There is much controversy on the casting of Rooney Mara as Tiger Lily.

If you missed the first Pan trailer, The Independent's article has a link to that one as well.


Pool Bans

So you have yourself a beautiful mermaid tail. You have been to the ocean, and have mastered swimming and breath holding. You may have also swam with dolphins... But they won't let you in the community pool!

Canadian mermaids and mermaid advocates believe pool bans are crazy.

"In fact, Edmonton’s head of water recreation said the tails might encourage kids to hold their breath too long and black out."

Get all the details in this article at National Post, written by Gordon Mcintyre.


Mermaids in Paradise

Here is another short article on Mermaids in Paradise, an upcoming movie based on the novel by Lydia Millet.

“Mermaids in Paradise tells the story of a couple who discover the existence of mermaids while celebrating their marriage in a tropical paradise and work to prevent the mermaids’ reef from being turned into a theme park."

Read the book first, or wait for the movie? Tough decision.


Two Hundred

You have just read my 200th Cynthia Mermaid blog post. Thank you for visiting each week, and for telling others about the blog!

We reached 90,000 views on May 13th, and are currently averaging just over 2000 views per month. Mermish 101 has been the most popular single posting this past month.

Mermaids and mermen, remember to send me your mer-news... appearances, projects, and amusing stories, and don't forget to include photos!


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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An Extreme Sport

According to The Guardian travel site, the latest extreme sport is mermaiding!

“I want to steer people away from thinking free diving is solely this extreme activity that’s really dangerous and show it can be fun. Free diving shouldn’t be intimidating. If being a mermaid gets more people into the sport, that’s great.”

Meet travel writer Susan Greenwood, now also known as Sue-Sea the mermaid, as she explains why swimming like a mermaid is the new extreme sport. Love the gold fish-tail, Susan!

Fraternizing

We reached deep down in the duffel bag to find this story: It appears that a US Navy submarine captain was recently relieved of duty for fraternizing with mermaids. Hey, what's wrong with that?

"Someday soon, the United States and the Navy will recognize the validity of human-merfolk relations.”

Dick Scuttlebutt (is that his real name?) has all the fishy details in this recent article at Duffel Blog.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Time for Conversation

RIMS (Roatán Institute for Marine Sciences) head dolphin trainer, Teri Turner Bolton, should be convinced: dolphins can communicate with each other, and agree on a common path of action. Their language, however, still remains a mystery.

"Either one dolphin is mimicking the other so quickly and precisely that the apparent coordination is only an illusion. Or it’s not an illusion at all: When they whistle back and forth beneath the surface, they’re literally discussing a plan."

National Geographic brings us this very interesting article by Joshua Foer. Dolphins love to swim with us merfolk. Perhaps one day we can have a little chat.


Mermaid Cinderella?

Imagine Belle, Cinderella, Mulan, and Pocahontas... drawn as mermaids. Ariel would love the company!

No need to imagine... Swim on over to this article from Cosmopolitan, where Alex Rees introduces us to the great work of the illustrator known as The Nameless Doll.

Each illustration is an animated GIF, and every one is a must-see work of art.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Halifax Mermaids

We spoke with Mermaid Raina back in April of 2013. She kept on swimming, and started the company Halifax Mermaids about a year ago.

Today, I am happy to share the news that Halifax Mermaids recently won the top prize in a Small Business Grant Contest sponsored by ADP.

"They travel to birthdays and other family-friendly social events dressed as mermaids to educate children on the importance of recycling and keeping the oceans healthy."

Read all the details in this fine article by Ben Cousins at The Chronicle Herald.

Congratulations, Raina! Hugs and splashes to you and the other members of Halifax Mermaids.


Mermaid or Siren?

Merfolk are often asked to explain the difference between mermaids and sirens. Are they the same?

Knowledge Nuts and Debra Kelly are here to clear up the confusion. If you are in a hurry, take a quick look at the Nutshell version of the article. If you have more time, read The Whole Bushel. More writers should do this!

"Mermaids have been in myths and folklore since their first appearance in ancient Babylonian stories. Era, the fish god, was half man and half fish; after that, it was the Greek god Triton."

After reading the article, you will be ready when someone asks, "Are you a mermaid or a siren?"


Mermaid Decor

Mermaid decor isn't just for children, we all know that. See how you can tranform your bathrooms with tips from Megan Finley at Offbeat Home & Life.

From shower curtains, to towels, to toilet flush handles... it's all here, and its all Mer!


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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Singapore Mer School

Cara Nicole Neo, also known as Mermaid Syrena, recently announced the opening of the first mermaid school in Singapore.

"Syrena said the course would allow students to learn more about the mythology behind mermaids as well as incorporate exercises to ensure a stronger core while swimming with the tail affixed to a human’s lower body."

Classes will begin in June 2015, and there are no age restrictions.

For the full story, head on over to Popspoken, and take a look at this article by Shah Kyle Malinda.

Then, head on over to Syrena's Facebook page.


Visit Loch Ness

Have you visited Scotland's Loch Ness via Google Maps 'street view' yet? Skim the surface of the Loch as you pass Urquhart Castle and other landmarks, all without leaving home.

The tour is from March 2015. Does Loch Ness look like you imagined it?

Sorry, folks, no monster during this trip.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

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