Search Results

American Mermaid is an interesting novel about a Connecticut high school English teacher, Penelope Schleeman, who has written a best-selling feminist novel about a mermaid. Penelope takes a leave from teaching and moves to Los Angeles to help adapt her book into an action film, and much of the novel revolves around the clash of creative perspectives as studio employees try to transform Schleeman’s work into a blockbuster film. The story of Penelope’s experience in the entertainment industry is punctuated by excerpts from her novel which tells the story of a young wheelchair bound woman named Sylvia who discovers she is truly a mermaid. Found by an infertile couple who pay to have her tail split into legs so she can be raised as a human, Sylvia has endured a lifetime of pain due to her environment. Penelope’s book explains that Sylvia “has no idea there’s a whole different way of being, an easy automatic power she would possess if she only found her way to the water.” While Hans Christian Anderson’s mermaid trades her voice for the ability to walk on land, Schleeman’s American mermaid starts on land and journeys to find her power in the sea. Langbein’s book also features chapters of texts and emails between studio executives and Schleeman as they wrestle to bring the book to the big screen. The writing style of this novel is not the beautiful and evocative writing of a fantasy tale, but the author, Julia Langbein, a sketch and stand-up comedian, brings contemporary humor to the narrative which is both funny and poignant at the same time. The fictional journey of the mermaid mirrors the emotional and medical journey of the novel’s protagonist, and the book will leave readers thinking deeply about the nature of disability, the struggles of teaching teenagers, the fears we inherit from our parents, and the transformative process of endless re-creation. You can order American Mermaid here. Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review. Kelly Jarvis is the Special Projects Writer and Contributing Editor for The Fairy Tale Magazine. Her work has appeared in Eternal Haunted Summer, Blue Heron Review, Forget-Me-Not Press, Mermaids Monthly, The Chamber Magazine, and Mothers of Enchantment: New Tales of Fairy Godmothers. She teaches at Central Connecticut State University. And check out our FLASH FICTION & POETRY Writing Contest currently going on GRAND PRIZE $100 PLUS Publication in an upcoming digital issue PLUS Publication on this website PLUS Publication in our printed yearbook DETAILS HERE

Editor’s note: The detailed recipe. The anger. The boiling. The crows. We couldn't resist this one. Enjoy! Queen's Wreath will tickle the shoulders Of your fences. Cut it on the walk you take Before everyone is awake Couple sprigs should do, The wilting limbs will be enough 2 cups of rain water on the stove In the pot you got in your parents’ divorce Boil the water and toss in the flowers Half expecting they will float away The whole kitchen will fill up With the smell of blossoms and Spring Don’t let it seduce you, it’s not yours. Cover the pot and lower the heat Let simmer for 20 minutes The simmer is important Hot as anger, sweet as panting Summer The sugar will burn, it’s the finicky part Add a cup if you’re Southern, half if you aren’t Stir slowly until dissolved, Granules washed away by boiling sea He is never coming back, the crows that speak his voice; they are of your own making Know your fucking power, Even if it means taking. Leave overnight in the fridge Let the ice crust on the pasta jar you’ve used And washed with water and soap and vinegar When you pour it in what you’re drinking You’ll hear him scream Real this time, not 5 crows on the laundry line Not in your head You drink anyway. Deep. To the dregs. Lauren Parker is a writer and visual artist based in Oakland. She’s a graduate of Hiram College’s Creative Writing program and has written for The Toast, The Bold Italic, Daily Xtra, and Autostraddle. Image: Jorge Salvador. And check out our FLASH FICTION & POETRY Writing Contest currently going on GRAND PRIZE $100 in each category PLUS Publication in an upcoming digital issue PLUS Publication on this website PLUS Publication in our printed yearbook DETAILS HERE

Medusa is well known as a monster with snakes for hair and a deadly stare. But, to quote Natalie Haynes's Greek myth retelling, “We’ll see about that.” Stone Blind tells the story of a teenage girl punished by a goddess for a crime committed not by her, but against them both. Medusa lives with her two gorgon sisters--tusked, winged creatures with snakes for hair. But the only gorgon quality she shares with them is the wings. She is young, beautiful, and mortal. And it is not long before she catches the eye of the sea god, Poseidon, who does not ask for what he wants; he only takes it. Haynes fleshes out Medusa’s story from the perspectives of many other women, both mortal and immortal (as well as a Greek chorus of nymphs, trees, and animals who drop in to add their perspectives). It is through the women’s eyes that we see the gods Zeus and Poseidon, not philandering husbands but serial rapists, as well as hapless Perseus, struggling toward manhood in a culture of toxic masculinity. Stone Blind delves into the deeply problematic tropes of Greek mythology that are sadly still too common in a post #MeToo world. Rich in symbolism, Medusa’s story unflinchingly asks tough questions: What are the consequences of trauma, especially when one survivor inflicts it on another? Who decides what makes a monster? And what is the difference between a hero and a murderer? Haynes’ characters, whether squabbling, self-absorbed immortals, anxious, flawed parents, or ordinary, confused teenagers, are heartbreakingly human. Her voice is sharp, original, fierce, and funny, and the result is a devastating take on an all too familiar tale. Format note: I listened to the audiobook featuring the author’s superb narration, and I cannot recommend this version enough. However, I’d happily revisit it in any format. You can buy the book HERE. Lissa Sloan is the author of Glass and Feathers, a novel that tells the story of Cinderella after the “happily ever after.” The Enchanted Press will publish it next February. And check out our FLASH FICTION & POETRY Writing Contest currently going on GRAND PRIZE $100 in each category PLUS Publication in an upcoming digital issue PLUS Publication on this website PLUS Publication in our printed yearbook DETAILS HERE

Kate's Pick of the Week Kate Recommends... Check out Kate's fabulous finds that you can enjoy, too! This week's pick: Glass and Feathers I know that I’ve been pushing the... Recent Posts 1 day ago 2 min Book Review: American Mermaid by Julia Langbein American Mermaid is an interesting novel about a Connecticut high school English teacher, Penelope Schleeman, who has written a... May 25 1 min Throwback Thursday: A Recipe for Simple Syrup by Lauren Parker Editor’s note: The detailed recipe. The anger. The boiling. The crows. We couldn't resist this one. Enjoy! Queen's Wreath will tickle the... May 24 2 min Book Review: Stone Blind, Medusa's Story by Natalie Haynes Medusa is well known as a monster with snakes for hair and a deadly stare. But, to quote Natalie Haynes's Greek myth retelling, “We’ll... May 18 3 min CLASSIC TALES: The Fairies & The Dandelion by Abbie Phillips Walker Editor's Note: Have you ever wondered why dandelions have yellow blossoms that become fluffy white caps? Well, today The Fairy Tale... May 17 2 min Book Review: The Spellbook of Fruit and Flowers by Christine McDermott The Spellbook of Fruit and Flowers by Christine Butterworth McDermott is the perfect summer book for a poolside read, or for a cooldown... May 15 1 min Kate Recommends... Check out Kate's fabulous finds that you can enjoy, too! This week's pick: Glass and Feathers I know that I’ve been pushing the... ALL POSTS “Who would be A mermaid fair, Singing alone, Combing her hair Under the sea, In a golden curl With a comb of pearl, On a throne?” ― Alfred Lord Tennyson We Love Fairy Tales... This is a site for fairy tale lovers, creators, and dreamers. If you love entering the imaginative world of Charles Perrault, The Brothers Grimm, and Hans Christian Andersen, this is your place. If you love reimagining classic fairy tales and putting the results into stories, this is your place. If you want to write and read all-new fairy tales, this is your place... Read More Mini Art Gallery Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get monthly updates on what's going on at The Fairy Tale Magazine, along with free art downloads, submission opportunities, and writing tips! Contact First Name Last Name Email Subscribe

Past Issues Check out the latest issues of The Fairy Tale Magazine packed with all new fairy tales, art, interviews, and bonus fairy tales from around the world! The Fairy Tale Magazine June 2023 Issue "Song of the Sea" Buy this single issue for $5.99 HERE with original fairy tale stories, poems, art, articles, and an interview with author Maria Tatar! Featuring: Jessie Atkin, Amanda Bergloff, Sara Cleto, Peyton Dupree, Henry Herz, Paul Himmelein, Ellen Huang, Kelly Jarvis, Brittani Jenee' Cal, Amanda Kespohl, Annika Barranti Klein, Madison McSweeney, Marisa Montany, Esther Ra, J.S. Rogers, Marcia Sherman, Brittany Warman The Fairy Tale Magazine March 2023 Issue "A Dream of Love" Buy this single issue for $5.99 HERE with original fairy tale stories, poems, art, articles, and interviews with author TheodoraGoss and artist, Emily Balivet! Featuring: Odyssa Rivera-Abile, Amanda Bergloff, Sara Cleto, James Dodds, Kelly Jarvis, Kim Malinowski, A. M. Offenwanger, Lauren E. Reynolds, Deborah Sage, Lorraine Schein, Marcia Sherman, Jude Tulli, Brittany Warman Or SUBSCRIBE & Save! Get 4 Issues for just $16.00 Get more. Pay less. The Fairy Tale Magazine offers a discount when you purchase upcoming issues in advance. You will get access to new issues on a quarterly basis. Buy a subscription HERE Make sure you check the box for Get 4 issues for 16 USD (You save 7.96 USD) to subscribe to the magazine. OR JOIN The Fairy Godparents Club A subscription to The Fairy Godparents Club is a flat one time payment of $65.00 for 12 months of enchantment starting from the month you subscribe through PAYPAL - katewolford1@gmail.com AND INCLUDES: A PDF of all yearly issues of the magazine Access to nine monthly Zoom meetings where the editors of The Fairy Tale Magazine will be sharing insider writing tips, our favorite books, live guest writer interviews, fairy tale swag giveaways, and special fairy tale meditations just for members. And extra stories, poems and art, plus access to members-only chats. ​ ​ OR Get a SINGLE ISSUE of The Fairy Tale Magazine as a PDF Would you like to skip the digital magazine format and just receive a PDF? Buy a Single Issue PDF for $5.99 or 4 Issues in PDF format for $16,00 Contact: katewolford1@gmail.com and she will send you a PayPal or Venmo invoice. ​ ​ ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? Reach out to katewolford1@gmail.com ​

Advertising Info & Rates Just published a book or story collection? Are y ou working on a project or podcast and want to get the word out? The Fairy Tale Magazine offers a great way to reach your target audience. Let us help! You can send in a pre-made ad or we can work with you to put one together with the picture and copy you want to place into our newsletter, magazine, or on our website. It's an inexpensive way to support FTM and also reach a fairy tale loving target demographic. ​ As always, we will forever be focused more on content than advertising, so space is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. ​ ​ RATES BELOW: The price difference range below reflects whether or not the staff at FTM has to prepare some or all of the ad. If the ad comes to us completely finished and usable, we’ll charge the lowest price. The increases will depend on the amount of work we do, but will not exceed the highest number quoted below. ​ NEWSLETTER $5.00 to $15 .00 per newsletter WEBSITE AD paired with a post $5.00 to $15.00 THE FAIRY TALE MAGAZINE DIGITAL ISSUE Quarter-Page A d: $5.00 to $15.00 per issue Half-Page Ad: $10.00 to $25.00 per issue Full-Page Ad: $15.00 to $35.00 per issue Front Inside & Back Inside Cover Ad: $18.00 to $40.00 per issue Back Cover Ad: $20.00 to $45.00 ​ CONTACT U S thefairytalemagazine@gmail.com So we can start working together on your ad! Payments are made via PayPal once ads are confirmed to katewolford1@gmail.com ​ ​ ANY QUESTIONS? Drop us a line at thefairytalemagazine@gmail.com