My first nonfiction book, Laylah: The Life Of Leila Waddell, was published on 1 August 2025 by Hadean Press.
'Professional violinist, muse to the infamous Aleister Crowley.
Though Leila Waddell has become an iconic figure in twentieth century occultism, precise details of her life are mostly obscure. From her early years in Australia to her career as an international touring musician, her role as paramour and inspiration to the wickedest man in the world, and finally her return to home shores and tragic early death, Laylah: The Life of Leila Waddell is the first and only biography of her to be published.
Thoroughly researched and lovingly written, Laylah: The Life of Leila Waddell shines a light on Leila’s extraordinary career as Australia’s ‘finest violiniste’ and puts to lie Crowley’s assertion that she was no more than a ‘fifth rate fiddler’. While Crowley did not name Leila as one of his Scarlet Women, her impact on his life cannot be denied; it is this publisher’s opinion that she should in fact hold that revered title, and we are privileged to offer this definitive biography of a most beloved woman to our readers.'
Hardback, paperback, and epub editions available here:- https://hadean.press/products/laylah-the-life-of-leila-waddell
This book was written between April and October 2023 with final draft June 2024, to a soundtrack mainly comprised of Coil, Chris & Cosey, and Cyclobe.
Here's an interview with me discussing the book and Waddell:
Some feedback from advance readers:
'Darren Francis has provided a major corrective to a hitherto missing chapter of magickal history. Leila Waddell has not been best served previously, mostly thanks to the account left of her by Aleister Crowley himself. Like almost all the women - and men! - that were important to The Great Beast's life and work, he was characteristically dismissive of her, falsely referring to his former muse, lover, and companion as ‘a fifth-rate fiddler.’ Here, for the first time, drawing on original research and with great attention to detail, the truth about Waddell's considerable talents, intelligence, and independence of spirit are all duly noted. Darren Francis and Hadean Press are to be commended for providing a valuable work that will appeal to all those interested in the characters, sometimes unfairly forgotten or overlooked, who were pioneers of the modern Occult Revival. Essential reading for Thelemites everywhere!'
Matthew Levi Stevens, writer, speaker, occultist, and author of The Magical Universe of William S Burroughs (Mandrake of Oxford, 2014)
‘In this important work and highly fascinating read, Leila Waddell is remembered not only for her musical talent but also as a seminal muse for Aleister Crowley, whose writings immortalised her spirit and influence within the sphere of early modernist occultism.’
Carl Abrahamsson, author of Meetings with Remarkable Magicians and Source Magic
I find myself delighted by this comprehensive guide to Waddell's very full existence; a life so often obscured in public imagination by her famous lover's largesse. Darren Francis is to be applauded for undertaking such a thoroughly worthwhile endeavour, and his ability as an excavator of secrets.
Ùna Maria Blyth, author of Muses No More: Portraits of Occult Women, queer, neurodivergent writer from the Shetland Isles.