Fairy Tale Facts: Jack and the Beanstalk

There are some fairy tale images that just stick with you. A glass slipper alone on a staircase. An isolated tower with braided hair hanging out the window. A castle surrounded by thorny vines. A rose with falling petals. A magic mirror and a poisoned apple. A giant beanstalk stretching through the clouds.

How to Write Your Werewolf

There’s a sort of subset of fantasy that we call “supernatural” or “paranormal”. This subgenre features magic like fantasy does, but generally in a more contemporary (and often spookier) setting. In it, we see things like vampires, ghosts, and today’s topic: werewolves. Werewolves are a staple of paranormal and horror stories, but there’s room forContinue reading “How to Write Your Werewolf”

Some Thoughts on Querying

I thought I’d check in with you all, as I’ve been “in the query trenches,” as I’ve seen some writers put it, for almost six months now. But before I dive into my experience, I want to talk a little bit about what agents do, why I’m pursuing this route, and what the process entails.

An Interview with Carrie Anne Noble

Meet Carrie Anne Noble! She’s an award-winning author of several YA fantasy books, including The Mermaid’s Sister and Gretchen and the Bear. I’m a big fan of hers and have read several of her books, with the rest on my TBR list. (You can check out my reviews if you’re interested!) She’s a fellow fairyContinue reading “An Interview with Carrie Anne Noble”

Mermaids Around the World

As I sat down to brainstorm a blog post (and as I’m writing, as a matter of fact), my friend Bex finally convinced me to watch the 2023 live action The Little Mermaid. I wouldn’t say I’ve been avoiding it, but it hasn’t been high on my to-do list (shocking, I know, given that I’mContinue reading “Mermaids Around the World”

Fairy Tale Facts: King Thrushbeard

In December 1812, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published their first book: volume one of Kinder- und Hausmärchen ( or Children’s and Household Tales). The fifty-second story in their collection was called “King Thrushbeard,” and that story is the topic of today’s post. So let’s dive in!

An Interview with L.E. Richmond

I recently discovered a fellow writer on Instagram who I immediately started following. Her name is L.E. Richmond, and her debut novel, The Mermaid’s Tale, comes out this fall. It has a gorgeous cover and a fantastic premise, and I can’t wait to read it! What’s more, she was kind enough to sit down withContinue reading “An Interview with L.E. Richmond”

6 Tropes I Hate

Last month, I wrote about my favorite literary tropes, and I wanted to follow it up with a look at a few tropes that I’m less fond of. My intention isn’t to complain or cast judgment (for the most part), but to explore what it is about each trope that I dislike. Several of theContinue reading “6 Tropes I Hate”

Once Upon a Start

It’s been said (and sung) that the beginning is a very good place to start. And figuring out how to start is a problem writers and creators have faced since they began creating. A good opening has to catch the audience’s attention, draw them in, and set the tone for the whole story or piece.Continue reading “Once Upon a Start”