There are many variations on the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, but this is the one true and correct version, handed down to me by my grandmother’s, grandmother’s wetnurse, and she never told a lie in her life. One way you can tell it is authentic is that the characters all have names. And they are real  names, mostly, not just titles. Some nicknames, yes, and a few sobriquets, for good measure.   So, when I say “the king,” it will only be a shortcut, not an omission, and you will know that I am referring to King Avaricious, third of that name, whose reign was short but notorious, and, well, I am getting ahead of myself. In those bad old days of feudalism, the king owned all the land, and some of the people. Social mobility was not a thing, Cinderella notwithstanding. And Social Security wouldn’t come along for centuries. The king of this little kingdom was not poor, exactly, but his father’s coach had been inscribed with “I’m spending the prince’s inheritance” on the boot, and Avaricious II was true to his word. So, the new king was tight with his purse. Once, when Avaricious III was holding court, a miller, our Goodman Dusty, waited in the long, long queue to speak with him. It was Dusty’s duty, as the king’s tenant, to pay his lord his rents. Like most millers, Dusty was often accused by farmers of taking more than his fair share when grinding the grain. That was true everywhere. Wheat looks a bit smaller when it’s freed from the chaff. How much smaller it actually is seemed a legit subject for dispute. But he was a generally honest man. Most of the time. If he had one fault, it was the sin of pride. He was fond of his only daughter, and saw only the good in her, and he didn’t care who knew it. Goodman Dusty was tired by the time he was summoned into the throne room, and a little out of sorts. But he knew the king was looking for a wife, and he made the extraordinary leap that his only child’s charms could overcome any disadvantages of birth or fortune. He was a leveler, at heart, but generally went along to get along. So, when the king deigned to make a little small talk with him, he fell to boasting. Dusty waxed on about his lovely daughter, and how good a goodwife she would be, and how her book-keeping and spinning had made him prosperous. Now, Dusty was smartish, for a commoner, but he made a fateful error here. Do you see what I mean? He was exaggerating  his good fortune, to, of all people, the taxman . Not that he begrudged paying his fair share, mind you. But he made himself a target. The king’s curiosity was piqued. Dusty’s daughter, Mistress Sally Miller, was quite clever, and good with her hands. A kindly vicar saw to it that she could read and do her sums, though only a little. Calculus was right out. But she knew more than most folks in the village, so she got ahead. She had kept her father’s tally books and accounts ever since her mother had died. Mothers often die early, especially in fairy tales, so Sally was almost expecting it, as perhaps were you. She mourned her mamma, but she got on with life. Sally knew how to keep a cottage, too. She was orderly, and frugal. She could make a cheese round last a fortnight, and darn threadbare stockings. She had done for her father’s household what he could not. Each harvest, after the grain was threshed, Sally and the other villagers would take the straw to feed the cows, or muck out the stables, or to make corn dollies or hats bedecked with ribbons for the harvest festival. They would enjoy a bit of rest and abundance, if the crop was good. When Dusty returned home after his visit to the castle, he tried to relate all that transpired at the castle to Sally, but he was flummoxed. He couldn’t quite recount all the details. He told Sally that he might just have used a metaphor about turning everything she touched into gold, like King Midas.  Her eyes went wide. Then he said that he might have misspoken a bit, or said something to the effect that “she takes straw, and turns it into gold.” It was a metaphor, like in that song where the candy man takes rainbows, and, you know… But was he in his cups? You tell me. He certainly confused straw with flax.  Mistress Sally Miller mainly spun flax  into linen .  The next village over, just beyond the woods, was just a day’s ride from another small kingdom, one that had seaports. They were on a trade route, and that led to merchants, and banking, and currency, oh, my! And in that village, there was a certain kind of wizard, an alchemist, who had discovered how to transmute base materials into gold. Seriously. I’ll spare you the details, but it was magical. Our alchemist was a little person named Rumpelstiltskin. There, I told you. You see, that part about the name being some kind of big secret is all wrong. He came from a long line of Rumpelstiltskins, was proud of it, and didn’t care who knew about it. Rumors that Rumpelstiltskin was a dwarf or an imp are greatly exaggerated. The term his community preferred was “little person.” And he wasn’t all that small—just a tad shy of four feet, if you must know. He had a kind face and a ready wit. Little people are much like other people. They can fall in love. Most of them can make their own babies. More on that later.  Due to some vagaries in the trade winds, Rumpelstiltskin looked inland, for the first time, for supplies. That’s when he encountered Sally. She was combing her hair at a small mirror, across from her cottage window. He was immediately smitten. She was, well, startled at first, when she saw him reflected in the mirror, but then a little intrigued. She went outside and they fell to talking. He told her of lands abroad, of ships and sealing wax, and of courts with mighty kings, so unlike the only king she knew. He spoke of a rising merchant class, and trade, and factories, where cottage industries, like spinning, mushroomed in size, until the Luddites started smashing the engines of mischief that ensued. But that’s another story. For her part, Sally spoke of longing for more freedom and independence. It would be jumping the gun to say anything about her desire to smash the patriarchy, though she would eventually go there. But that’s another story, too. The two of them met many times over the next few days, and before long, they were in love. But, his business concluded, Rumpelstiltskin needed to return to his hometown, promising to come back again as soon as he could. Now Sally had not shared any of this with her father. As far as Goodman Dusty was concerned, Sally was single, and could be married for advantage. So, when the miller shared his news about the king’s interest in meeting her, she was taken aback. Things were getting awkward. Without saying anything to her father, Sally and Goodman Miller prepared to meet the king. When Goodman Dusty returned to court, Sally was at his side. Harold, the herald, announced them to the king. “Show them right in,” the king commanded, gleefully. It would be wrong to say that he was licking his chops, but his eagerness knew few bounds. The king spared no time on niceties. He led Sally to the first chamber, filled with a nice Ashford wheel and a lot of straw. “Sally, if you would like someday to be my queen, you must prove yourself. Spin away!” This is where the “true love” part comes in. Sally wished, with all her heart, to let Rumpy know of her predicament. She sang a spell of yearning. She sang it loud, she sang it strong, and she knew it was good enough. She must have had a bit of magic in herself, too, because it worked. Rumpelstiltskin heard the call, consented to the magic, and it brought him to her in an instant. There was a bit of smoke, and a faint reek of sulfur, and there he was.  Quick as Mercury, Rumpy took the wheel and began to chant an incantation of transmutation. Sally was a quick study, and soon was adding her voice to the song. The wheel kept time, with the rhythm of the treadle and the whirring of the flywheel and bobbin. Just before daybreak, they took in their success. There were bobbins and bobbins beyond number, all filled with 24 karat gold. It was magic. It may be said that Mars had some influence on this outcome, too, not just Mercury. I’ll spare you the metaphysical details, though. In anticipation of daybreak, Rumpy hid in a corner, covered by Sally’s great cloak. So, the king never knew the part Rumpelstiltskin played in the great task. The next part is much like the stories you have already heard. The king was pleased, and ordered another night of spinning, but he wanted to “increase productivity,” and insisted that Sally work even faster the next night. He did the ol’ carrot and stick number, too. “If you work hard, and meet your quota, I will marry you, someday. If you don’t, you’ll be fired.” Tied to a stake and fired, that was. So, ‘round and ‘round Sally and Rumpy went again. Rather than advancing the story here, let me just ask you to read that previous paragraph, one more time. Bigger room, more straw, tighter deadline. Brutal boss holds out a threat or promise of marriage. Yuck.  You get the idea. But wait, this is where things get interesting again. On the fourth day, the king commanded another night of spinning, unwittingly breaking the sacred “third time's the charm” rule. He kept pressuring Sally to produce more and more golden thread. And with that transgression, all bets were off. Months went by. The king wasn’t playing by the rules, so Sally and Rumpy weren’t going to, any longer, either. They secretly recruited other helpers, with extra wheels, to keep producing more golden thread. Soon, it was more than a cottage industry. It was a nightmare. And that’s not to mention the potential inflationary impact were the king to start spending any of that hoarded gold. I mean, the serfs and villagers went to the market cross of a day, to buy a cock or a hen, a goose or a duck, if it would very well please them. It wasn’t all barter in those days, even for the common folk. Can you see where all this was heading? The king became hooked on all that wealth, but instead of spending it on the general welfare, he hoarded it like a dragon. The people became disenchanted with his rule. Sally and Rumpy organized the spinners into a guild, called for a general strike, and began demanding fair pay for their honest labor. And speaking of labor, their demands included something new, something called “maternity leave.” Rumpelstiltskin did get what he’d always wished for, Sally’s first-born child. He got it the honest way, by fatherhood. The general strike drew support from all kinds, even the king’s household. The king had been so coddled his whole life that he could barely make his own breakfast. He had little choice. He conceded to the worker’s demands. The next day, he went mad. He danced a dance so awkward that some claimed he pulled his own leg off.   Those levelers that Goodman Dusty knew? They came out of the woods and formed a new, representative government, with popular support.  And they all lived happily ever after.  Steve "Aelfcyning" Aultman spins yarns in an ever-evolving storybook cottage, and lives with his wife, Lori, and his familiar, Finley, at the end of a trail of breadcrumbs near Berkeley, California. Acknowledgement: My thanks to the community at the Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic for its encouragement, and particularly to Carole Wallencheck, for their suggestions and support. Image: "Rumpelstiltskin and The Miller's Daughter" by Henry J. Ford

Two glasses of wine, please. Sorry, that happens all the time. These gems will pay for the wine and the meal, and the beds, yes? Oops, glad you caught that one. Rarely get a pearl so large. How did this happen to me? Out of a kindness shown. A cup of water shared. A crust of bread halved. And the next morning - these riches, with every sentence. There is no stopping it. My sister? My  half  sister. No, she is not so happily afflicted. It always draws a crowd. That is why we chose this little inn, with no patrons. You may think of this as a gift. But it can be a burden, a danger even. Some have thought to keep us, to hurt us. We have learned to recognize greed. Wow, that sure is a splendid emerald. Yes, yes, take what you want. There is always more. Well, that was a fine meal. The wine was excellent, although rather spicy. I am uncommonly weary. If you could just show us to our room? No need to... I said... What I want to say... Stop! Sister! Thank the man for his hospitality. Oh indeed it is a huge snake, and deadly. There now quick and painless. Sister, do not look so squeamish. Haven't you got used to this by now? Go get the gems on the bar, leave the pearl and the emerald for his wife. Off to bed and say your prayers. We may need the protection. Marcia A. Sherman specializes in faerie tales, folklore, and fables. Her most recent published work of fiction, September Harvest, can be found in The Monsters We Forgot, Volume 3, by Soteira Press. Ms. Sherman also contributes essays and short works to The Fairy Tale Magazine, and Llewellyn Worldwide, under the pen name Emyme. Image: "Diamonds and Toads" by Margaret Evans Price

At the silver borders of night, when Stars are scattered coins across a velvet Sky and the moon glows sovereign and sublime, They come, twelve sisters in their satin shoes.   Noiseless as ghosts, they glide through glittering groves, Bound for boats to ferry them across the rippling Lake into the land of Faerie. They come to dance unfettered, Until their shoes are shreds and Starlight dissolves into dawn.   They come in emerald silk and silvered cloaks, Fingers flashing ruby rings and sapphire stones, Pearls threaded through unbound hair. The sisters come without a thought toward Peril, buoyed by risk and Arrayed in enchantment.   Inside flame-lit halls, ethereal music plays. No stray thought disturbs; no desire intrudes. And though they spin with princes across Cool stone floors, They dance only for themselves. Deborah Sage is a native of Kentucky, USA. She has most recently been published in  Eternal Haunted Summer, Literary LEO, Fairy Tale Magazine, From the Farther Trees, the 2022 Dwarf Stars Anthology ,  Amethyst Press  All Shall Be Well  anthology for Julian of Norwich and  Eye to the Telescope. Image: "The Shoes that were Danced to Pieces" by Elenore Abbott

The Foreign Exchange is the second book in a series (the first was titled The Quarter Storm ) which follows Reina Dumond, a Vodou priestess and healer who has a knack for solving mysteries in New Orleans. In this book, Reina investigates a friend’s husband and uncovers a conspiracy of people involved in dark ritual magic. The plot of the book moves quickly and the cast of characters, Reina’s friends and a love interest, are all engaging. What I loved most about the book was the atmosphere of New Orleans and the history of Vodou magic. The book takes place at Halloween, lending a city steeped in mystery an even more intriguing appeal. Halloween in New Orleans is celebrated with a large parade because it occurs close to the end of hurricane season. Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath haunts the book, and the vivid details transport the reader to the city. Although Vodou is sometimes popularly associated with dark magic, this book celebrates the traditions of Vodou, tracing them all the way back to Reina’s immigration from Haiti when she was young. Autumn in Haiti is described as a time that “cleared the path for change”, and each time Reina performs a ritual, the reader can feel her hope and desire for positive change. Reina creates spells and tinctures of protection with pink rose petals, white candles, and alligator teeth, and her shop is stocked with magic Vodou healing traditions. The book even includes a recipe for “Sweet Belly’s New Orleans Dirty Rice” which seems like a spell the readers create in their own kitchens. Fans of mystery series will enjoy the plot and characters, and armchair travelers will enjoy the details that make them feel like they have taken a trip to New Orleans. This was a fun, atmospheric read! You can find the book here . Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review. Kelly Jarvis works as the Assistant Editor for The Fairy Tale Magazine where she writes stories, poems, essays, book reviews, and interviews. Her poetry has also been featured or is forthcoming in Blue Heron Review , Mermaids Monthly , Eternal Haunted Summer,   Forget Me Not Press, The Magic of Us, A Moon of One’s Own,   Baseball Bard , and Corvid Queen.  Her short fiction has appeared in The Chamber Magazine  and the World Weaver Press Anthology Mothers of Enchantment: New Tales of Fairy Godmothers . You can connect with her on Facebook (Kelly Jarvis, Author) or Instagram (@kellyjarviswriter) or find her at https://kellyjarviswriter.com/

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Night of the Living Queers , an anthology of young adult short stories dedicated to “anyone who’s had to pretend to be someone {they’re} not”, is an impressive collection of tales that seeks to represent the intersection of queerness and identity. The book features thirteen different stories told through the lenses of BIPOC teens, and each story takes place on a Halloween night beneath a Blue Moon. This book provides everything readers could want from a Halloween collection. There are costume parties in abandoned hotels, nights spent handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, pirate ghosts who haunt the mall food court, phantom animals who prowl the local drive-in theater, and haunted mansions where mysterious homicides take place. The stories feature ghosts, vampires, serial-killing clowns, Rougarou, poltergeists, and Ouija boards. References to Freddy Krueger and Camp Crystal Lake sit beside references to TikTok and cursed video links, giving the text both a contemporary and nostalgic feel. The stories provide a spooky atmosphere without frightening readers or subjecting them to gratuitous gore, and beneath the plot of each tale runs a commentary on the important pleasures of Halloween, with one character poignantly stating, “if only I could so easily slip out of my skin the other 364 days.” I enjoyed this collection and think it is a much-needed addition to the Young Adult genre. Although the stories feature queer and non-white characters, the narrative focus is on battling supernatural entities, and this allows the teen characters to represent their identities without being narrowly defined by them. Adolescent readers will find diverse stories that scare, delight, tease, and inspire. Adults will find a window into contemporary teen life and enjoy a nostalgic look at the Halloweens of their youth. Night of the Living Queers  presents thirteen different tales brought together beneath a Blue Moon, itself a sign of change and transformation. This is a fun Halloween read that has the potential to transform the landscape of teen fiction and identity. You can find the book here . Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair review. Kelly Jarvis works as the Assistant Editor for The Fairy Tale Magazine where she writes stories, poems, essays, book reviews, and interviews. Her poetry has also been featured or is forthcoming in Blue Heron Review , Mermaids Monthly , Eternal Haunted Summer,   Forget Me Not Press, The Magic of Us, A Moon of One’s Own,   Baseball Bard , and Corvid Queen.  Her short fiction has appeared in The Chamber Magazine  and the World Weaver Press Anthology Mothers of Enchantment: New Tales of Fairy Godmothers . You can connect with her on Facebook (Kelly Jarvis, Author) or Instagram (@kellyjarviswriter) or find her at https://kellyjarviswriter.com/

What the River Knows , the first book in the Secrets of the Nile duology, is a must read for fans of mystery, romance and historical fiction. Inez Olivera has spent her life with parents who spend long stretches of time in Egypt while she comes of age in the glittering society of 19th century Buenos Aires. At the age of eighteen, she learns that her parents have died, and against the wishes of her guardians, she travels to Egypt in investigate their deaths. Her uncle, who has been working on a mysterious project with her parents, is less than happy to see her, and when he fails to effectively send his niece back home, he assigns his dashing employee, Mr. Whitford Hayes, to keep an eye on her and make sure she stays out of trouble. Inez, who has absorbed a touch of old magic from a ring her father sent her, secretly follows her uncle as he sails down the Nile searching for Cleopatra’s tomb. This book was such fun! There is intense romantic tension between Inez and Whit, and although the book is told mostly from Inez’ point of view, the chapters are punctuated with Whit’s voice and perspective on the unfolding adventures. Inez and Whit’s relationship is full of intelligent banter, and in spite of their obvious frustrations with one another, their mutual attraction sizzles. Billed as a mix between The Mummy  and Death on the Nile , this book contains the perfect blend of murder mystery and romance with the right touch of magic and mythology. I love Agatha Christie’s novels and enjoy books about Egypt, so I was excited to read What the River Knows . Ibanez’ novel did not disappoint as it swept me away to another time and place. I gasped out loud several times as the plot twisted and turned, upending my expectations. I can’t wait to read the second installment in this duology! If mystery, romance, and magic interest you, give this book a read; you won’t regret it! You can find it here . Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review. Kelly Jarvis works as the Assistant Editor for The Fairy Tale Magazine where she writes stories, poems, essays, book reviews, and interviews. Her poetry has also been featured or is forthcoming in Blue Heron Review , Mermaids Monthly , Eternal Haunted Summer,   Forget Me Not Press, The Magic of Us, A Moon of One’s Own,   Baseball Bard , and Corvid Queen.  Her short fiction has appeared in The Chamber Magazine  and the World Weaver Press Anthology Mothers of Enchantment: New Tales of Fairy Godmothers . You can connect with her on Facebook (Kelly Jarvis, Author) or Instagram (@kellyjarviswriter) or find her at https://kellyjarviswriter.com/

What Became of Magic  is a fun story about a witch who can find keys and open doors. Although the protagonist, Aline Weir, is a lonely thirty year old when the novel begins, the book spends a fair amount of time recounting her difficult adolescence. As a teenager, Aline felt more comfortable reading than talking about clothes and boys, and despite her best efforts to forge friendships with the girls in her school, she finds herself on the outside of the social circle. When she begins talking to a ghost at a slumber party she is labeled a freak, and when a romantic interaction with a boy goes terribly wrong, Aline is forced to find solace in the town library which is run by three witch sisters who guard the books. Aline’s quests eventually bring her to the town of Matchstick, a place between the sun and moon, governed by the laws of magic. She learns that lost magic must be found, and discovers that Magic is also the name of a dangerous person with whom she must contend. This was a fun magical read. Aline learns to value her unique form of magic in spite of the pain it has caused her. There are lots of twists and turns as Aline learns how to usher souls to their final resting place and comes to terms with the unexpected surprises of a magical universe. You can find the book here . Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review. Kelly Jarvis works as the Assistant Editor for The Fairy Tale Magazine where she writes stories, poems, essays, book reviews, and interviews. Her poetry has also been featured or is forthcoming in Blue Heron Review , Mermaids Monthly , Eternal Haunted Summer, Forget Me Not Press, The Magic of Us, A Moon of One’s Own, Baseball Bard , and Corvid Queen.  Her short fiction has appeared in The Chamber Magazine  and the World Weaver Press Anthology Mothers of Enchantment: New Tales of Fairy Godmothers . You can connect with her on Facebook (Kelly Jarvis, Author), Instagram (@kellyjarviswriter) or find her at https://kellyjarviswriter.com/

The season of the witch is upon us, so light a candle, conjure up a cup of tea, and peruse my list of witchy book recommendations designed to cast a spell over your “to be read” list. Weyward , by Emilia Hart, takes its title from the wayward sisters in Macbeth. This novel follows the timeline of three women separated by generations. You can read my review here . I love Louisa Morgan’s sweeping historical novel A Secret History of Witches . Beginning in Brittany in 1821 and ending as World War II comes to a close, this brilliantly structured book weaves together the stories and secrets of generations of women who practice the craft. You can read my review here . Do you love witches? Are you a fan of classic 19th century novels? If you answer yes to both of these questions give Salt and Broom  a try! This delightful book by Sharon Lynn Fisher reimagines the novel Jane Eyre, but Fisher’s protagonist uses her witchy knowledge to break the curse that has been haunting Rochester. You can read my review here . Mary McMyne takes readers back to Shakespeare’s time with her witch novel A Rose By Any Other Name . Told from the point of view of The Dark Lady made famous by Shakespeare’s sonnet sequence, this narrative will delight those looking for a new take on literary history. You can read my review here. Looking for a story about a middle age witch? Rebecca Buchanan's Geek Witch and the Treacherous Tome of Deadly Danger fits the bill! This action packed novella will keep you turning pages as you learn about magic. You can find my review here . The Witches of Bone Hill  by Ava Morgyn takes place in my home state of Connecticut where a young woman had inherited a Victorian estate filled with ghosts, secrets, and mysteries. The protagonist must come to terms with her witchy abilities to heal generational trauma. You can read my review here . Morgyn's next novel, The Bane Witch , releasing in March 2025, looks promising as well! Weep, Woman, Weep is a Gothic tale about the legend of La Llorona, and magical and witchy vibes abound! Maria DeBlassie presents compelling characters in an evocative setting. She also explores the impact of generational trauma as her protagonist reclaims her identity through gardening enchantment. You can read my review here . If you enjoy your witches with a side of spicy romance, Sophie H. Morgan’s The Witch is Back   may be the book for you! Emma Bluewater, the owner of a bar named Toil and Trouble , is forced to marry the handsome warlock who left her at the aisle. You can read my review here . Another spicy, witch romance in my “to be read” is Best Hex Ever   by Nadia El-Fassi. The book promises hedge mazes, palm readings, and midnight Halloween rituals as a kitchen witch navigates a hex with the help of a globetrotting museum curator. If you prefer your witchy romances to be sweet, check out Brianne Randall’s The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic . Billed as a cross between Practical magic and Gilmore Girls, this book follows the story of Sadie Revelare as she learns to deal with heartbreak and grief. High on my “to be read” list is Paige Crutcher’s novel A Circle of Uncommon Witches . The protagonist is one of the most powerful and lonely witches in her family, and she must work to break a centuries old curse. The book doesn’t release until next year, but it promises to be full of witchy goodness! And while you wait, check out Crutcher's book What Became of Magic . Review coming soon! Finally, no list of witchy fiction is complete without Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic  Series. This set of four books follows the Owens family as they learn about life and love. Pour yourself a midnight margarita, get a slice of chocolate cake, and cozy up for Hoffman’s enchanting prose. Kelly Jarvis works as the Assistant Editor for The Fairy Tale Magazine where she writes stories, poems, essays, book reviews, and interviews. Her poetry has also been featured or is forthcoming in Blue Heron Review , Mermaids Monthly , Eternal Haunted Summer,   Forget Me Not Press, The Magic of Us, A Moon of One’s Own,   Baseball Bard , and Corvid Queen.  Her short fiction has appeared in The Chamber Magazine  and the World Weaver Press Anthology Mothers of Enchantment: New Tales of Fairy Godmothers . You can connect with her on Facebook (Kelly Jarvis, Author) or Instagram (@kellyjarviswriter) or find her at https://kellyjarviswriter.com/

The Bridge Audio File