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Hello Enchanted Friends: The deadline to join the Fairy Godparents Club for 2024 is March 17 (Sunday) at 11:59 PM, EST. And, if you've joined by then, you'll get a free Advanced Reader Copy of Glass and Feathers, by Lissa Sloan, which publishes on March 26! The first club meeting is Monday at 7 PM, EST. Don't miss it. Lissa will be giving away the Glass and Feathers swag pictured here to one lucky attendee! She'll also be reading a passage from the book. (And Kristen Baum DeBeasi will be sharing original music, along with other members sharing their own work or favorites by others.) Club membership is only $20 for the year. (PayPal only.) We will officially meet four times this year: March 18, June 17, Oct. 21 and Dec. 16. These meetings will be about celebrating our achievements and sharing our own poetry, prose and art (or a favorite by someone else). I hope to slip in a couple of unofficial fun meetings into the mix as well. And there will always be a giveaway that those who attend the official meetings can enter! (We’ve already done the free reiki course for members this year, but I’m hoping to offer another extra as well. Stay tuned.) Hurry up to join. Just email me at katewolford1@gnmail.con, and you'll be a member in a flash. Yours in Enchantment, Kate

In order to deliver a full year of Fairy Godparents Club benefits to every member, and for organizational purposes, membership will close at 11:59 PM on March 17. Club membership is only $20 for the year! We will officially meet four times this year: March 18, June 17, Oct. 21 and Dec. 16. These meetings will be about celebrating our achievements and sharing our own poetry, prose and art (or a favorite by someone else). I hope to slip in a couple of unofficial fun meetings into the mix as well. And there will always be a giveaway that those who attend the official meetings can enter! (We’ve already done the free reiki course for members this year, but I’m hoping to offer another extra as well. Stay tuned.) To join,  you can email me at katewolford1@gmail.com, and request membership. That is the official email for the site, and for our PayPal account. For bookkeeping and tax purposes we can only accept money through PayPal. If you haven’t signed up yet, please do. This club is a major fundraiser for us. And, I’m currently working on the February insider info email that only Fairy Godparents Club members receive! Yours in Enchantment, 🪄Kate🧚 Image from Pixabay

Modern takes on classic fairy tales can prove fascinating when they subvert the original narrative. Whether it's differing values, updated understanding of gender and economics, and plain wanting to add a new message, you can always find a new spin on older tales. Hans Christian-Andersen (HCA) earned fame in Denmark for his fairy tales. While a few had happy endings, the more infamous ones went to the downer conclusions. HCA believed that true love was hard to find and that sometimes death is the only happiness someone can find in their quest for dignity, or for a warm bed at night. Then modern writers like Terry Pratchett would lovingly mock this, and affirm that everyone may live, getting some comfort. Matches In The Snow "The Little Match Girl" is one of the most depressing HCA tales, and that is saying something. Even the first line warns us about the depression to come: "It was so freezing." We see the title character attempt to sell matches during a cold wintry night. She has a few coverings, and while she left the house with oversized slippers, a boy stole one of them and a horse carriage accidentally knocked off the other. If she doesn't sell any matches, then her father will beat her for bringing no coins home. Rather than go home after no customer comes to help, the girl crouches between two sumptuous houses and starts lighting matches to keep warm. They show her visions of loveliness to help her cope with the cold. People ignore her while going about their commute to work, or doing the shopping. As the night gets cold, the matches show different scenes: warmth from a stove, a good Christmas meal, and a shooting star. When she sees her grandmother in heaven, the girl asks for her grandmother to take her there. HCA was not in a happy state of mind when he wrote this. You can tell that he knew how to get into the mindset of someone facing a bitter cold in winter. Hogfather Says No To This Ending In Discworld, the fantasy parody series by the late Terry Pratchett, the little match girl story plays out during a segment in both the novel and television special Hogfather. Albert and Death encounter her still body in the snow, while Death is filling in for the world's Santa Claus, the Hogfather. Death says that a little girl should not freeze in the night. He says that it is not fair, and this is a chance to right a wrong. Albert, a retired wizard, and overall cynic, tells Death that it's how the winter stories go. Going against the status quo should find disruption. Everyone romanticizes a girl freezing to death in the snow while thanking their stars that it wasn't them. Normal folks have enough food and coal to get through the night and if they don't, then at least they aren't a child freezing in the snow. They can tell stories to make up for the drafty holes in the wall. If Death weren't the Hogfather, and if not for events in previous books, he would have accepted this state of affairs. Death is not fair, and he comes for everyone. An earlier book had him chide an apprentice for saving a princess from a pre-appointed assassination, complete with smacking him on the face for insubordination. But here, Death says no. He gives life, rather than reaps it. The match girl is not a fictional character, but an actual child that he can carry in the snow. You may not see this in the film because it would have broken the budget, but the "affronted" angels show up to collect the match girl's soul and take her to heaven. Albert responds by tossing snowballs at them so they will go away. Even though Albert tells Death to let the story play out as is, he listens to his master. Unlike the original fairy tale, we see the angels attempt to complete the tale. Death asked why didn’t they come earlier, to give the child a hot drink and a blanket. He has a point and shows that he puts his money where his mouth is by picking up the child and asking several constables to give her a place to sleep for the night, and a meal. Angels are supposed to be protectors. Yet they did not protect an innocent kid. Why is it important that Albert toss snowballs at the angels? He shows them how humans feel about the cold, and how an object traditionally used for child's play can prove annoying and disruptive to a formal occasion. This is not a time to be civil, but to show anger. Add A Level Of Disruption Sometimes we cannot accept children freezing in the snow. We can't tell a crying kid, "There are starving children in Somalia, cheer up." You can't let the little match girl serve as your cautionary tale against parental abuse and thieves that steal slippers from the vulnerable. Pick up that child if you can, and change the story. Show that happiness is possible, even if difficult to reach. Instead of waiting for the angels, shoo them away, and use your powers for a new ending. Priya Sridhar has been writing fantasy and science fiction for fifteen years, and counting. Capstone published the Powered series, and Alban Lake published her works, Carousel and Neo-Mecha Mayhem. Priya lives in Miami, Florida with her family. Illustration: The Little Match Girl by Arthur Rackham

Inspired by Toni Morrison who once said, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it,” Amy Trent presents readers with a retelling of the little-known Scottish fairy tale Kate Crackernuts in her beautifully crafted novel Clever, Cursed, and Storied. The second book in Trent’s Enchantment Retold series begins with a prologue that references Trent’s Smoke, Steel, and Ivy (a Twelve Dancing Princesses reimagining) before continuing with the stand alone story of Kate, who has fled to the North Mountains seeking magic to disenchant her cursed sister Annie, and Henry, the ailing prince of the North Kingdom who is suffering from a curse of his own. Disguised as storyteller, Kate must navigate a hostile environment to save both Henry and her sister. Although the overarching plot of Clever, Cursed, and Storied is a retelling of Kate Crackernuts, the novel glistens with references to other well-known fairy tales like Bluebeard, Hansel and Gretel, Sleeping Beauty, and Little Red Riding Hood. Kate, who has been wandering the countryside telling stories in exchange for meals and shelter, finds herself in the palace of the North Kingdom where she relays many of these famous tales to Henry. Storytelling is presented as a form of enchantment and connection, allowing Kate and Henry to share their fears and burdens with each other. They learn to see each other in the stories Kate tells, revealing the transformative magic at the heart of storytelling that will ultimately help the pair, and their siblings, face a dangerous and uncertain future. I thoroughly enjoyed Amy Trent’s luscious reimagining of Kate Crackernuts. Trent’s novel is set in a romantic world filled with dancing, dreams, Fae, and magic. The protagonists and their siblings are engaging characters who come to life through Trent’s beautiful description and well-paced narrative. Together, Kate and Henry learn that “the best stories…{have} something that {works} for everyone.” Clever, Cursed, and Storied: A Fairy Tale Retelling is one of those stories. This novel has something that will work for every reader, and it is a must read for all who look for the magic that lies at the heart of storytelling. I loved it! You can find the book here. 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 find her at https://kellyjarviswriter.com/

Just a quick reminder that Lissa Sloan, author of Glass and Feathers, has put together a glorious swag collection that we will be giving away at the March 18 Zoom meeting for the Fairy Godparents Club. The collection, featured here, contains a signed proof copy of the book, a tote, two postcards, a bookmark (created by Lissa herself), one notecard, a teabag, and a lavender sachet. Plus, there is a vintage, highly collectable, Fenton glass Cinderella's slipper. One lucky club member will win this entireswag package, but you must be present to win! Still not a member? Contact me (Kate) at katewolford1@gmail.com. We're taking new members through 11:59 PM, EST, March 17. It only costs $20 for the whole year. It's a gorgeous collection, and we know having these fabulous objects in your home will enchant your life. And since the book is based on "Cinderella," it definitely has a place here under "Cinderella's Hearth!

Hello Enchanted Friends: Today we're skipping "Throwback Thursday" to ask last year's readers of the serialized version of Lissa Sloan's Glass and Feathers to please leave reviews at Amazon and/or Goodreads. What are people saying on Goodreads so far? Suzanne Steward says: "I read this book in installments and absolutely loved it! This is a very wise and thought provoking tale about what really happens after the happily ever afters and the importance of being true to yourself in relationships. Read it; I promise you'll love it!" Johanna Haas says: "Excellent telling of what happens after the Cinderella story ends. Would you want to be stuck in a castle with all those better-than-everyone types having to wear a new dress everyday, but with the same glass slippers? Well-written and plotted this story goes in directions you will not expect." Tabby Brooke says: "This is like no other fairytale I have ever read, it was messy and it was beautiful. Instead of fancy party’s, extravagant dinners and over the top palace living there was deception and self-deprecation. So afraid of not fitting in, being unwelcome by her new royal in-laws and everyone else around her, Cinderella was unable to see that her Prince loved her truly—not just because of some wish." Supporting the this book not only helps book sales, it supports the magazine! The profits the Enchanted Press earns will go directly to The Fairy Tale Magazine. And while I'm on supporting the magazine, time is running short to join The Fairy Godparents Club. The window for joining closes at 11:59 PM, EST, March 17. Our first meeting is at 7 PM, EST on March 18. And a glorious Glass and Feathers swag package will be the prize for the night. If you wish to join, just email me at katewolford1@gmail.com. It's only $20 to join for the year. That's all for now. Stay Enchanted, Kate

Sharon Lynn Fisher had me in her clutches when I learned her new book, Salt and Broom, was a “witchy retelling of Jane Eyre.” As a fan of both 19th century novels and witch lit, I was excited to fall into a tale that brings the latent magic of the original novel to the forefront with Fisher explaining, “Rochester teasingly refers to Jane as fairy, elf, witch, and sprite, but we know she is not any of these things. At one point, the question came to me: what if she was?” Salt and Broom is more of a rewriting of source material than a retelling, and I adored it! In Fisher’s version of the story, an orphaned Jane Aire, named after the famous river in Yorkshire, is left on the steps of Lowood School as an infant. The novel opens thirty years later when Jane is working at the school as an herbalist. Edward Rochester writes to the headmaster seeking a “Lowood witch” to help him break a curse that has been haunting his ancestral home since his wife’s death. Milk has been souring, apples have blighted, and the servants have come down with fevers. Rochester seeks supernatural help in return for a large donation to the Lowood School for Orphaned Girls, and Jane, who has benefited from the charity of the school, feels pressured to unravel the mystery. Jane is much more than an herbalist; she is a witch who engages with the fairy world, casts spells, and uses magical enchantments. Throughout the course of her time at Thornfield she maintains her fierce independence, residing in a small cottage on the grounds of the estate, while also falling in love with the brooding and mysterious master. She faces dangers and discovers hidden information about both her own past and the past of Rochester’s family. The characters of this novel are altered from the original in significant ways; Jane has not suffered the abuse and indignities of her original childhood, Rochester has never locked his wife in the attic, and Antoinette Mason is presented as a kind and loving spirit who perished early in her life. Nevertheless, the story is an addicting read, and I devoured it in one sitting. If you love classic Gothic romance, 19th century estates, herbal witchcraft, and fairy lore featuring ghosts, dryads, and fairy cats, then you will enjoy Salt and Broom. This book is a lovely escape that provides readers with both dark thrills and a satisfying happily ever after. You can find it here. Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest 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 find her at https://kellyjarviswriter.com/

I (Kate) used to be one of those people who thought meditation was impossible. I was steeped in the idea that “successful” meditation meant that I must clear my mind of all thought. I couldn’t imagine doing that, so I wrote it off. But in 2016, I started to get the feeling that life was getting harder for everyone. It seemed like the world was losing its mind, and I needed some sort of touchstone to keep me from joining in the madness. Out of desperation, I decided to try the Headspace app, but without realizing it, I accidentally paid for an entire year’s membership. I was FURIOUS! I wanted to try it, not buy it. I was stuck. So in my contrarian, bumbling way, I said to myself, well, if Headspace is gonna make me have it for a year, then I’ll show Headspace. I’ll learn how to meditate. Pretty silly, right? But here’s the thing: Within two weeks, I literally felt like my head had more space. I felt calmer, more at ease. I didn’t dwell on the negative nearly as much as I once had. (Rumination is really, really bad for your mental health. And creative types, like writers, ruminate a lot.) Within two months, I decided to become a certified meditation teacher. And I did. And you know what? I’ve never once completely cleared my head of all thoughts, but meditation makes me calmer, more relaxed and less reactive. It absolutely has changed my life for the better. If Cinderella’s stepmother had meditated, maybe we’d have a different fairy tale—but then again, I do love me a Cinderella story. Anyway, if you’ve never tried it, give meditation a whirl. There are nearly as many forms of meditation as there are meditators, and the right one is likely out there for you. To get started, try the Insight Timer app. It’s free and great for beginners! Speaking of Cinderella, Lissa Sloan's novel, Glass and Feathers, a Cinderella continuation novel, publishes on March 26. Learn more here.

The proof copies for Glass and Feathers have arrived and they are glorious! It's amazing how much better a book cover looks in real life. The pages are a rich cream, and we love the fonts we chose. (Ebook Launch did the cover and all of the formatting, for for those who'd like to know.) Naturally, the actual books for sale will not have the proof copy stripe across them, but proof copies are special in their own way. After all, only five of them exist. You still can't preorder the print editions of the book, but ebook lovers can preorder today. Please consider doing it, as every preorder elevates the listing on Amazon. Also, and this is very exciting, Lissa will be giving away a swag box filled with Glass and Feathers goodies at our Fairy Godparents meeting on March 18 at 7 PM, EST. Only people who are present can win. Membership opportunities close on March 17, so if you'd still like to join, send $20 through PayPal to katewolford1@gmail.com (that's our official email) and indicate that it's for the Fairy Godparents Club in the message. Then you'll be in for the whole year! The book officially publishes on March 26 and we can't wait!

What Monstrous Gods is a complex retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale set in a world of gods and magic. The protagonist and narrator, Lia Kurinava, is about to turn seventeen when the novel opens. She has been raised by the sisters of a convent dedicated to the goddess of spring, new life, and healing, and she is one of a handful of girls to be born with the power to enter the briars, kill the evil sorcerer Ruven, awaken the royal family from their 500 year long sleep, and restore peace and health to the kingdom. Lia succeeds in her task early on in the novel and is surprised when the newly awakened queen betroths her to Prince Arauun in recompense for her service to the kingdom. Lia has pledged herself to the convent that raised her, hoping to become a nun, but a little known rule that those born with magic power must marry into the royal family or die thwarts her life plan. Lia and Araunn are sent on a pilgrimage to awaken the shrines and bring back the saints, opening the space for a slow burn to their growing relationship. Lia is haunted by the ghost of Ruven and surprised by what she learns of gods, lending tension and suspense to the journey. Fans of Sleeping Beauty will enjoy Hodge’s loose take on the fairy tale. The story is rich in religious contemplation, and the book begins with a clear overview of the gods and their shrines to help the reader keep track as the characters’ journeys move forward. The book is full of theological musings, mysterious surprises, and atmospheric world building that will delight fans of fantasy and fairy tale. 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. Her poetry has been featured or is forthcoming in Blue Heron Review, Mermaids Monthly, Eternal Haunted Summer, Forget Me Not Press, A Moon of One’s Own, The Magic of Us, 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. She can be found at https://kellyjarviswriter.com/

Needlework has long been associated with female storytelling, and Kay Williams, the embroidery artist behind Heart of Thistle and Clover, has created an online company “where embroidered wonders tell stories of resilience and delicate beauty.” A self-taught herbalist inspired by nature, folklore, and fairy tale, Kay creates and sells handmade pendants and mini-frames that express her sensitivity and help her connect with kindred spirits. Read on to learn more about Kay and her enchanted embroidery! Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and when you first began creating with embroidery and herbs. What drew you to this type of art? What is your artistic process when creating something new? My maternal grandmother was an exceptional quilter. My mother practiced sewing and quilting before she became a nurse. I am drawn to domestic, powerful, slow, and intentional avenues of self-expression that hold love, care, and magic. In a world full of fast capitalism and next day deliveries, I want to lean into projects that exude their own characteristics. I want to create pieces that fully convey the love and energy that it took to make them. Embroidery found its way into my life unexpectedly, starting with small tattoo-inspired details on vintage resells while working for friends. What began as simple designs on jeans evolved into intricate hearts stitched onto rich velvet that I created just for myself. Venturing into more delicate territory, I began crafting pendants and mini-frames with a shift towards a softer, heartfelt aesthetic. Life led me away from my embroidery for a while, but this past October, I used my creative roots to help me get back to myself after a period of feeling lost. The sacred heart imagery, a beacon through dark times, drew me back. Nurturing my sensitive heart, I channeled my experiences into art, little knowing how much my work would resonate with others. The inspiration for my art is simply anything I feel drawn to that has helped me embrace my sensitive soul. I am an avid reader of Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés. She writes about ancient female archetypes that have been forgotten, withheld, and even rewritten. These archetypes hold the secrets we need to navigate this life. Most of these secrets have been passed down in oral tradition via folklore and stories, and I often contemplate them as I walk my own creative path. Your website features both Embroidery Frames and Protection Pockets, embroidered pins designed to carry crystals, talismans, and notes of affirmation. What first inspired you to create these products? Overall, I wanted to make a physical representation of something that could literally cover my heart and help remind me to guard it. All through my life I have been told I am both too sensitive and too much; I cry too much and I feel too much. My artistic journey has taught me that my sensitivity isn’t a weakness. It is a strength that culture and society wants to suppress. I wanted to make something that helped others like me. I wanted to create something beautiful, not only through my art, but by building a community of heart-forward folks. Your newest Protection Pocket is a reproduction of Baba Yaga’s house, complete with chicken feet! What drew you to use Baba Yaga as an inspiration for your art? Why might Baba Yaga’s house act as a source of protection for those who wear your creations? I have been an admirer of Baba Yaga since I first read about her in Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés’ book, Women Who Run With The Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype. I immediately loved that Baba Yaga came across as a villain, yet she actually was benevolent. Growing up in a society that wants women to be small, docile, young, beautiful, and compliant, Baba Yaga is an archetype that emboldens me to break those holds. She is the wise witch of the woods, powerful, feared, and respected because she demands it. She does what she wants and does not give passersby the answers they are seeking just because they ask. She is a grumpy mentor who challenges you to find answers within. This is the woman I aspire to be, and I hope to foster that through my work. I ask her to protect me through that trip to the underworld. I am inspired by the audience that resonates with Baba Yaga’s teachings and by those who see her house as a representation of her protection. Are you inspired by any other fairy tales or folklore? What is your favorite fairy tale narrative or fairy tale character and why? I am constantly inspired by folklore and immerse myself into finding stories of the old ways. Currently I am fascinated by Artemis and the plants associated with her like Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). Artemis is the goddess of the hunt, the moon, wilderness, wild animals and the care of children and mothers. It’s no surprise that I am drawn to her protective qualities. A more traditional fairytale that I love is “Rapunzel.” Some of the older variants begin with a woman who longs for a child and is overcome with the desire to eat lamb’s lettuce or rampion (another name for rapunzel). Rapunzel is then born, and, as payment for stealing from the sorceress’s garden, Rapunzel’s parents must turn their child over to a sorceress who locks her away from the world. The ending I most adore features a prince blindly wandering the woods for years before finally hearing his beloved’s voice. Rapunzel’s tears cure his blindness. There is something to be said about the trials and tribulations of “Rapunzel” and how if you follow your heart, it will never lead you away from your true desires, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Your company is “inspired by flora, fauna and matters of the heart”, and many of your designs feature hearts and flowers. How did you come up with the name of your company? Why do hearts and flowers recur as images in your work? How are flowers and herbs representative of and related to the human condition? A long time ago I was enamored by the song, “At Last” by Etta James and the line, “My heart was wrapped up in clover.” I felt such a kinship to that. Clover is tender, green, soft, and loving. It is a nourishing plant, but it is so common that one no one really pays attention to it. That felt and still often feels like my heart. I am quick to love and easily hurt. On the other side of that is my affinity to thistle. Celtic cultures believed the thistle to be protective, and yet, this thorny weed is exquisite when it flowers. Thistle is another common plant that teaches me to guard my tender heart so I can continue to stay open. And that is how the name of my shop, Heart of Thistle and Clover was born. I have been drawn to plants and have been creating a relationship with them since I was a child running and playing in the meadow and woods of our family farm. This world needs people who are still in awe of this earth and what nature can be for us. I hope that by crafting functional art that incorporates a vehicle for herbs and helps us learn about them, more folks will see that plants can be our greatest support and healers during difficult times. You can follow Kay on Instagram and TikTok to stay up to date on her latest projects and products. We know that you will love her enchanted embroidery and herbal magic as much as we do! Kelly Jarvis works as the Assistant Editor for The Fairy Tale Magazine. Her poetry has been featured or is forthcoming in Blue Heron Review, Mermaids Monthly, Eternal Haunted Summer, Forget Me Not Press, A Moon of One’s Own, The Magic of Us, 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. She can be found at https://kellyjarviswriter.com/

Hello friends! "Cinderella’s Hearth" is taking a break this week because Kate and I have an exciting announcement: Preorders for the Glass and Feathers ebook are live on Amazon! For us at The Fairy Tale Magazine, this is another “This. Is. Happening!” moment. The Enchanted Press is a tiny indie press, and Glass and Feathers is our first publication. It’s also my debut novel. If you’ve been around FTM for a while, you’ve probably heard a wee bit about Glass and Feathers. And perhaps you’d read it when it came out as a serial last year. If you have, we’d be so grateful if you’d leave review on Goodreads or Amazon, or honestly, both if you’d be willing! Reviews make a huge difference in helping other readers choose their next read. If you’re new to FTM, Glass and Feathers is a continuation of the traditional "Cinderella" tale, in which the girl with the glass slippers, now married to her prince, finds she does not fit with the grand people of the palace. And even her famous shoes cannot help her—the glass slippers no longer fit. Here’s a taste: “Do you think princesses know how to bake?” He was silent, his brow furrowed. “I can churn butter too,” I continued, and the tightness began to ease. “And milk a cow and spin and knit.” I turned my face toward him a little more, looking down so as not to frighten him. “Do you see the freckles on my cheeks?” They had faded in those months at the palace, but they never completely disappeared. Jack nodded. “Princesses keep their skin pale by staying out of the sun.” I chanced a look at his face. “Who would want me as a princess?” “You are,” he insisted, his voice still soft. He put a hand to my cheek, wiping away a tear I didn’t even know was there. “Maybe you are a sparrow princess. The sparrows will come for you one day. You’ll see.” He warmed to his story. “They will give you a cloak all made of feathers, and a crown of berries.” “What will my gown be made of?” I asked. “Leaves,” he answered. “Green leaves.” If you’re an ebook fan, we hope you’ll check out the Amazon page to preorder. If you prefer print, Amazon preorders are coming very, very soon, BUT if you’re interested in a signed paperback that comes with some lovely book swag, you can sign up for my newsletter at lissasloan.com to find out how to buy it straight from me! Thank you for coming on this journey with us! Lissa Lissa Sloan is the author of Glass and Feathers, a dark continuation of the traditional "Cinderella" tale. Her fairy tale poems and short stories have appeared in The Fairy Tale Magazine, Niteblade Magazine, Corvid Queen, and anthologies from World Weaver Press. Visit Lissa online at lissasloan.com, or connect on Facebook, Instagram, @lissa_sloan, or Twitter, @LissaSloan.