Category Archive for Satanism
My new book is out! La Carmina’s The Little Book of Satanism: A Guide to Satanic History, Culture & Wisdom.
Thank you for your support for The Little Book Of Satanism: A Guide to Satanic History, Culture, and Wisdom, which is now out! My latest nonfiction book — about the development of Satanism and its values — is available everywhere in paperback and digital, published by Ulysses Press / Simon and Schuster.
To get a copy, simply Google “The Little Book Of Satanism“ and your country name. You can also ask your local, indie book shop to order it for you. Or find my book at the links below:
ORDER NOW from Amazon ♡ Kindle (digital) ♡ Barnes and Noble ♡ Bookshop
♡ My Simon & Schuster book page has links to other retailers worldwide — including UK stores ♡ Chapters/Indigo ♡ Amazon Canada ♡ Dymocks Australia.
I’m grateful to all who reached out — thank you for supporting the book, and I hope you enjoy reading it! Here’s a look at the cover design of The Little Book Of Satanism — I love how it turned out.
The cover design is in my signature purple color, with an elegant font and subtle pentagrams. The publisher and I wanted to avoid the “scary, heavy metal, black and red” type look typically associated with Satanism. Rather, I hope the cover conveys that the religion has a rich historical and cultural basis, and is a meaningful path for many worldwide.
Thank you for supporting The Little Book Of Satanism by sharing this post!
To celebrate my book release, Joey Wong and I did a photoshoot in Akihabara, Tokyo. This is the Electric Town district known for its anime and manga shops, video game and purikura arcades, maid cafes, and otaku / nerd everything.
(Wearing a Kikirara Shoten skirt, and Cruella black/white pearl necklace by Lily Streeter. The “Satan is my Daddy” cropped t-shirt seemed appropriate for the occasion.)
Here’s a peek at the inside pages of The Little Book Of Satanism.
As I trace “the Devil’s hoofprint” on society and culture through the centuries, a theme emerges. Time and time again, it is the marginalized that are labelled as Satan’s bedfellows, and suffer unjust consequences from ostracism to jail and executions (such as with the witch trials).
As The Little Book Of Satanism is a short and accessible guidebook, I hope it can help a general audience better understand what Satanism really is about. Many people thinks of Satanists as they are portrayed in horror movies: evil followers who believe in a real Devil, and invoke him for nefarious means. This isn’t at all what religious Satanism is about, and it’s time to lay these damaging, pervasive stereotypes to rest.
My book is 145 pages so it’s a quick read. You can easily pack the small paperback in your bag to read on public transit, or on your travels. The sections of The Little Book Of Satanism are as follows:
– Introduction: Sympathy for the Devil
– Part One: “Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself”
– Part Two: Historical Satanism—the Middle Ages to the Early Twentieth Century
– Part Three: Modern Satanism—the Mid to Late Twentieth Century
– Part Four: Satanism Today—the Twenty-First Century
– Conclusion: Your Own Personal Satan
It was apt that we did this shoot in Tokyo — because that’s where I first became intrigued by Japanese Satanism, and started writing about it for this site and other publications. Contrary to stereotypes, practitioners value personal self-expression, critical thinking, anti-authoritarianism, and other positive values.
Only about 1 percent of Japanese residents are Christian, so Satanists in Japan don’t grow up with the theocratic influences that one sees in places like the US. (I discuss this in detail in my OnlySky article about Satanism in Japan).
However, Japanese society is notoriously conservative, collectivist and conformist. In this context, Satanists find meaning in the metaphor of Lucifer as the ultimate rebel. Many were drawn to unofficial translations of Anton LaVey’s works, and resonated with the ideas of pursuing one’s self-interest and not bending the knee (especially in the context of a society of polite passivity).
I hope my book provides a short but comprehensive overview of the religion, and helps to answer questions readers might have about Satanism. For instance, there are sections with illustrations about the meaning of Satanic symbols (like the inverted pentagram, and the goat-headed Baphomet). I also discuss ritual practices, origins of the concept of the Devil, Satanic art / literature / music, the influence of individuals like Aleister Crowley, and more.
To give you a better sense of the contents, here’s the back copy of The Little Book Of Satanism:
Satanism is often misunderstood as a religion that worships an evil Prince of Darkness. But in reality, modern Satanists are nonviolent and consider the Devil to be a positive metaphor for the pursuit of knowledge, reason, and justice.
A window into the fascinating culture and practices of Satanists, The Little Book of Satanism details the Devil’s footprint on historic events over the centuries and dispels misconceptions about ritual abuse and serial killers. In addition to contextualizing the core values of practitioners, this accessible guide covers:
SATAN’S BIBLICAL ORIGINS ● HISTORICAL SATANISM, FROM WITCH TRIALS TO THE SATANIC PANIC ● THE CHURCH OF SATAN AND THE SATANIC TEMPLE ● THE DEVIL IN POP CULTURE ● SYMBOLS AND RITUALS
Written by award-winning journalist La Carmina, The Little Book of Satanism shines a light on the religion’s affirmative values that oppose arbitrary authority and champion scientific rationalism and personal liberty.
Thank you again for your kind encouragement! I’m grateful to all who reached out and shared my book on social media, or pre-ordered it.
THE LITTLE BOOK OF SATANISM: A Guide to Satanic History, Culture & Wisdom is published by Simon and Schuster, so you can get it anywhere in the world. Ask your local bookstore to order it, or search for the book title and your city/country to find it.
You can ORDER MY BOOK via Amazon ♡ Kindle (digital) ♡ Barnes and Noble ♡ Bookshop
♡ Link to other retailers worldwide — including UK stores ♡ Chapters/Indigo ♡ Amazon Canada ♡ Dymocks Australia.
The Little Book of Satanism is my fourth book. My previous books include Cute Yummy Time and Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo (published by Penguin Random House).
Get The Little Book Of Satanism here — and please tell your friends!
The new book has gotten some great press so far — including features from CBC Radio, Forbes Magazine, Columbia University Magazine, Fodor’s, Metropolis, and other major publications. It’s been fun to do interviews and podcasts with a variety of media outlets.
Book reviews of The Little Book of Satanism have also been coming out. OnlySky says: “La Carmina offers a fresh, brisk, accessible introductory overview of Satanism, past and present. La Carmina’s deftness in writing a “little book” on Satanism is most laudable.”
Reviewer The Magical Buffet writes: “It is no easy task to unweave the tapestry that creates what Satanism is today, but La Carmina does an excellent job untangling the web and laying out a timeline for us to follow. In “The Little Book of Satanism,” author La Carmina makes a compelling argument for modern Satanism and the role a modern take on Satan could play in your personal spiritual practices. If you’re even slightly curious, I highly recommend getting yourself a copy of this book.”
Thank you again for your interest in The Little Book Of Satanism! If you have any questions or want to interview me about the book — please contact me here or leave a comment below.
And if you might be willing to share my book with anyone who might be interested, I’d be most grateful. You can also find me @LaCarmina on all social media.
FIND MY BOOK on Amazon ♡ Kindle (digital) ♡ Barnes and Noble ♡ Bookshop
♡ My Simon & Schuster page links to other retailers worldwide — including UK stores ♡ Chapters/Indigo ♡ Amazon Canada ♡ Dymocks Australia. Thank you!
Pick up The Little Book Of Satanism here — and thanks for sharing this post.
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Book Deal Announcement: “The Little Book of Satanism” by La Carmina! Ulysses / Simon & Schuster, Satanic guidebook.
A devilish announcement: I have a new book coming out… about SATANISM! It’ll be published October 25 by Ulysses Press / Simon & Schuster!
Late last year, I received a book deal for The Little Book of Satanism: a nonfiction guide to the history, culture, and practices of Satanism. My fourth book features a foreword by Lucien Greaves of The Satanic Temple, and will be released by Simon & Schuster on 10/25.
♥ PREORDER NOW — The Little Book of Satanism: A Guide to Satanic History, Culture & Wisdom is available for preordering on Amazon. My book is also available at Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, and other retailers worldwide. Canadians can find it via Chapters/Indigo or Amazon Canada.
♥ TO SUPPORT — Please keep reading to see the Baphomet cover art, contents, and more. And thank you for taking a moment to share this post on social media — I appreciate your help in getting the word out!
❤ What is the book about?
The Little Book of Satanism by La Carmina is an accessible overview of Satanic history and culture that aims to dispel misconceptions about modern Satanists. The book begins with a foreword by Lucien Greaves (of The Satanic Temple), and then introduces the Devil’s conceptualization from his Ancient Near East predecessors to the Bible and beyond. I trace Satan’s historic footprint through the centuries (the Knights Templar, Salem Witch Trials, Hellfire clubs, Aleister Crowley), to the birth of modern Satanism (LaVey’s The Church of Satan, and TST). I also cover the meaning behind Satanic sigils, the Devil in art / literature / pop culture, Satanic rituals and holidays, the Satanic Panic, and much more. (Full details further below.)
❤ Where and when can I get your book?
The Little Book of Satanism hits bookstores on October 25, 2022 — it’ll be available worldwide in both print and digital. You can pre-order my book now from Amazon, or get it from Kindle, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, and other retailers worldwide, such as Canada’s Chapters/Indigo or Amazon Canada.
❤ How much does it cost?
Only $10.99 US for the digital version, and $14.95 US for the paperback. My book is available internationally at the links above, and can be preordered now. (Thank you for supporting!)
❤ Can you tell me more details about the book?
The following is the catalog copy for “The Little Book of Satanism: A Guide to Satanic History, Culture, and Wisdom” – by La Carmina.
Discover the fascinating history and culture of Satanism through the ages and learn why many Satanists today stand up for free inquiry and personal liberty.
Satanism is too often misunderstood as a religion that makes blood sacrifices to an evil, horned Prince of Darkness. In reality, modern Satanists are nonviolent and nontheistic, and consider the Devil to be a meaningful metaphor for the pursuit of knowledge, reason, and justice.
The Little Book of Satanism details the “mark of the beast” in cultural and historic movements over the centuries, which have informed the sincerely held beliefs and practices of Satanists today. Written by award-winning alternative culture journalist and blogger La Carmina, this comprehensive guide includes:
♥ A foreword from Lucien Greaves, activist, spokesperson, and cofounder of The Satanic Temple
♥ Information on Satan’s biblical origins, and his various names, appearances, and symbols
♥ Details on his age-old role as a scapegoat, from medieval witch trials to the 1980s Satanic Panic
♥ An overview of modern philosophy and practices, focusing on The Church of Satan, The Satanic Bible, and The Satanic Temple
♥ Examples of the Devil’s influence on art, literature, music, and films—from Paradise Lost to Rosemary’s Baby
This accessible book explains how Satanism developed in the context of social history while debunking lurid conspiracy theories about serial killers and ritual abuse. It includes a primer on various Satanic practices such as social activism, rituals, and holidays. In the spirit of the fallen angel Lucifer, be inspired by Satanism’s affirmative values that courageously oppose arbitrary authority and champion nonconformity.
❤ Can I see the book cover design? Who made it?
Above is the cover art of The Little Book of Satanism! Lucien Greaves contributed ideas for the book cover design, including the block effect and a Baphomet with gentle eyes. The execution is by the Ulysses Press design team. Thank you to my Pirate – artist Naomi Rubin – for her in-depth feedback on the cover and layout.
❤ May I take a look inside?
Here’s a sneak peek at the inner pages, which incorporate Gothic fonts and inverted pentagrams. The Little Book of Satanism is 144 pages long, and includes black and white illustrations (like Stanislas de Guaita’s goat head in an inverted pentagram).
My book is in the catalog of major publisher Simon & Schuster, which put up a La Carmina author page here.
And here is the back cover copy, which invites you to discover the rich history of Satanism.
“Written by award-winning journalist La Carmina and with a foreword by The Satanic Temple cofounder Lucien Greaves, The Little Book of Satanism shines a light on the religion’s affirmative values that oppose arbitrary authority and champion scientific rationalism and personal liberty.”
144 pages / $14.95 / Preorder via Amazon or Simon & Schuster (various links to retailers).
My book deal was announced in Publisher’s Marketplace and Publisher’s Weekly book deals announcements, in the Religion section. Thank you to my literary agent and to the Ulysses team for making this project possible. The article says:
“Ulysses Traces Satanism’s History. Casie Vogel, editorial director at Ulysses Press, bought world rights from Lindsay Edgecombe of Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency to alternative culture journalist La Carmina’s The Little Book Of Satanism. The book examines the history and culture of Satanism, including “lurid conspiracy theories about serial killers and ritual abuse, and showing why many Satanists today stand up for free inquiry and personal liberty,” according to the publisher.”
I wanted to give a special shout-out to my friend Dr John Skutlin (who wrote about Satanism in his Ph.D. dissertation) for his hours of support throughout every stage of the manuscript. I’m thankful for the time he generously took to give me in-depth feedback and edits — the book wouldn’t have made it to the final draft without his expertise in these hellish matters!
It’s been a while since I’ve written a book, and it’s a joy to be back at it. This will be my fourth published book — my previous two were about Japanese pop culture (Cute Yummy Time and Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants, published by Penguin Random House.) If you’re curious, you can see my past La Carmina books here.
I’ve written extensively about Satanism since 2007, particularly about TST and the subculture in Japan — so I’m grateful for the opportunity to do a full-length book. My Satanic articles over the years have included:
♥ Fodor’s Travel: Profile of The Satanic Chef.
♥ The Daily Beast Travel: The most devilish destinations worldwide.
♥ Roadtrippers Magazine: Inside the TST Salem, MA art gallery and headquarters, with Lucien Greaves.
♥ Tripsavvy: Travel article about how to visit The Satanic Temple HQ.
♥ Unilad: La Carmina interviewed about the ongoing Satanic Panic.
One could say that I’ve been stepping on goat heads in pentagrams for quite some time now…
♥ I spoke about Satanism on various podcasts: La Carmina on Black Mass Appeal, Tea Room Dialogues, Satanic Study Hall, and Cemetery Confessions / The Belfry Network.
♥ I have over a decade of blog articles about Satanism worldwide, on my La Carmina blog. These include my firsthand reports of visiting The Satanic Temple in Salem, going to a Satanic disco party in London, hailing the Madrid Lucifer fountain, descending into Osaka’s Territory shop and Kobe’s IDEA Satanic bar, and more.
To commemorate the book deal signing, Joey Wong shot these images of me in Vancouver, using my new Sony a7 IV mirrorless camera.
Outfit details: Knee-high leather boots by L’Atelier de Charlotte (this women-run indie company designs shoes in London, and constructs them in Spain.) Cropped black sweater and houndstooth skirt from Fashion Chingu (they carry over 1000 items inspired by K-dramas and Kpop idols).
Handwoven mandalay silk headband by Thread Tales Company. The gold necklace is a large Safety Chain Choker by Eddie Borgo.
I can’t wait for you to read my new book, The Little Book of Satanism, when it comes out on Oct 25! If you have any questions about it, please leave me a blog comment. You can also connect with me on my @LaCarmina social media: Instagram / Twitter / Facebook Page — and shop items from my wardrobe on Depop @lacarmina.
And you’re welcome to check out my previous books from Penguin Random House: Cute Yummy Time (a guide to making meals look adorable) and Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo (exploring the bizarre world of Japanese maid cafes, cat cafes, vampire restaurants and more.)
PRE-ORDER The Little Book of Satanism on Amazon or Kindle or Barnes and Noble or through Simon & Schuster. Canadians can get it through Chapters/Indigo or Amazon Canada. It will be released October 25th, 2022.
The Little Book of Satanism by La Carmina drops 10/25/2022!
Thank you to all who made this dream writing project possible. Ave Satanas!
♥ Contact La Carmina: If you want to interview me about the book or have any questions, email me at gothiccarmina — att — gmail — dotcom
♥ And THANK YOU for preordering, and sharing my book news on social media (you can find me @LaCarmina). I’m grateful for your support over the years!
LA CARMINA
