Cabinet des Fées Releases A Wonderfully Gorgeous Issue in "Something Rich & Strange" (Review of Vol 1, Issue 2, Aug 2015)

A preview of what's to come TOMORROW!

Thanks to the kind folk at Papaveria Press for generously giving me a wonderful preview of Cabinet des Fées' latest sea-themed anthology of short works and poetry, and allowing me to gift myself with a lovely post on my birthday, in announcing the release slightly early, complete with permission to give you sneak peeks - of my choice! - at some of the wonderful writing!

'Presents' (aka excerpts) are below...

But first a look at the 'greeting' to readers and a list of tales and tellers:

 
The whole issue is beautiful to behold and the words are captivating too. The editors and team at Papaveria Press have put a lovely combination of art together - of words, images, fantastical tales and personal reflections. It's a very beautiful feather in an already very lovely hat!

Scheherezade's Bequest Volume 1, Issue 2. SOMETHING RICH AND STRANGE: TALES FROM THE SEA called authors to draw from folktales, personal experience, and the vast ocean of the imagination to reveal selkies, mermaids, sea nymphs, the great flood, and more in this wonderful collection of short stories and poems, each one a siren song luring us into the waves. This issue continues our tradition of offering original fairy tales and retellings of the old stories that leave us with a sense of wonder, a sense that something rich and strange is always just around the corner. 

There's a wonderful variety in the volume and yet there is a consistent feel of ebb and flow as you read through the various offerings. 

Some are amusing (for instance, a trickster Shower Muse), some have a distinctly different premise to the usual mer stories (like the mysterious, fathomless Lake of San Ezequiel, appearing alongside a desert town). 


There are turns of satisfyingly happy endings and tragically true endings. 

Mixed in is a wonderfully satisfactory amount of selkie stories with an unusual perspective (like Salt, which follow the motif of salt water in all it's forms through a selkie story and the subject of consent) and riffs on The Little Mermaid too, (like Sisters that looks at the issue of mermaids and souls in the best way I've read to date) without either dominating the issue.

As I mentioned above, I was gifted with choosing some excerpts to share with you and I have to tell you this was more difficult than I at first imagined it would be!  

I've finally chosen, in the end to share just a few excerpts to show you the variety of language, since I found it so difficult to choose favorites, as well as a few of the author notes on how they came to be inspired. The author's notes are just as fascinating as the stories themselves!

Please click on the excerpts and selected author's notes to read them full size. 

I think you'll be drawn in as quickly as I was and want to keep reading.

And as for a peek at the tales... take a look below:

This is only the beginning of a truly different version of The Little Mermaid, and one you'll love, especially if you love Andersen's tale or any variant of it.

"...people were a bit like fish..." and suddenly I couldn't help but begin to make comparisons myself! This story is the story of a girl and the story of a soul... and fish.

I dearly wanted to show you more, to show you how salt weaves through the life of this seal-woman, her husband and her children but I will leave that for you to discover on your own.

I hope you've enjoyed a special preview of the issue. Thank you again to the folks at Cabinet des Fées for this lovely gift today.

The paperback issue of Something Rich and Strange - Tales From the Sea is already available to order via Amazon HERE.

"Little From the Fish Shop" - A True-to-Tale Little Mermaid

Everything I've read about this film project is quite fascinating and I can't quite believe I've only recently learned of it. Little From the Fish Shop (malá z rybárny in Czech) is reportedly very faithful to the Hans Christian Andersen original text of The Little Mermaid, despite that it's setting is modern and on dry land. The stop motion animation puppets are delightfully different (I have some close-ups pictured in this post) oh and it's important to mention, despite being a fairy tale and made in an animated medium, it's not primarily aimed at, as the review below puns, "small fry".

Here's a summary from the official  Facebook page:

They were forced to abandon the familiar waters of their home, plundered by the humans, and move out onto dry land to live in a bustling harbor district. They’ve exchanged their underwater palace for a humble little fish shop. This is a story about the Sea King and his youngest daughter Little. Her days were filled with small pleasures and naive dreams about the life out there, then she saw J.J. for the first time and her heart came alive. She decided to accept the witch’s harsh curse. Forsaking her family Little took to the world of humans to follow her fatal love. Will the flame of her love burn bright or will it die in the deep waters of the sea?

Here are a couple of trailers, and I have to say, I'm quite fascinated by these glimpses!

 Here's an excerpt from a review in Variety:

Relocating not just Andersen’s yearning heroine but her entire royal family to dry land, Jan Balej’s wittily designed stop-motion outing honors the sorrowful romantic narrative of the original tale to a far greater extent than the Mouse House’s 1989 smash — despite a radical shift in milieu to the red-light district of a seamy city harbor. Not especially suitable for, er, small fry, this touching, technically inventive twist on a classic will nonetheless be treasured by animation buffs.  

...It’s no longer better down where it’s wetter, a somewhat elegiac prologue informs us, as we peer into silty depths made murkier by stray debris and floating garbage. The film’s ecological allegory is limited to this introduction, but it’s effective enough: So greatly have the oceans been polluted by humankind that not even the merfolk can survive in them. Instead, the Sea King and his family have been forced to move to the nearest port, where they learn to walk on their tails and work as fishmongers — about the most drastically macabre betrayal of their natural environment imaginable. (The fishiness of Balej’s merpeople extends well past their lower halves: Glassy round eyes and perma-pouts suggest rampant interspecific breeding in the fathoms below.) 

As in Andersen’s tale, then, the King’s youngest daughter — simply named Little — develops a fascination with human behavior, albeit one cultivated at closer quarters. Forbidden from exiting the family shop before her 16th birthday, she enters the outside world a mass of vulnerable, pent-up curiosity, swiftly and unguardedly falling in love with older lothario JJ.

Note: look at all those laurels! That's something to take note of. I really hope we get a chance to see it in the US, UK and Australia. (Dubbing shouldn't be an issue, as apparently the 'speaking sounds' are mostly nonsensical and as a result, fairly universal.)

You can read the whole review HERE (possible spoilers though). If you don't want to spoil anything for yourself you may be interested to know this is doing well with critics, both for the story portrayal/translation and the use of stop motion and 'grotesque' design ('grotesque' here, meaning the art movement style, which works well for the fishy features, not meaning that it's difficult to look at necessarily).

The film is currently screening in the Czech Republic along with what appears to be a truly delightful exhibition of puppets, sets, 3D printing and interactive experiences for children and adults and behind-the-scenes fare.

It also has 'festival slots' at Annecy and Karlovy Vary, which point to a distinct likelihood that it will get picked up for international distribution soon.

Ask Baba Yaga: How Can I Stop Caring So Much About What Other People Think?

Baba Yaga by absolutejackass

First of all: apologies for the language below, but I think most people will appreciate the answer, even if the question feels a little... strong. Actually, it was difficult to find another way to say the same with quite as much emphasis for the post title, so I ended up rephrasing altogether, though I haven't communicated the depth of anguish the petitioner is clearly feeling about this subject.

But there's another reason I rephrased, other than for family friendly titles. Though most people may not be in a relationship situation as is mentioned here, it's not unusual to find yourself being disapproved of by one group or another, at some point in your life, and having it bother you. And Baba Yaga has a refreshingly different take on how to deal with it.

Here's today's question and answer (via poet and oracle Taisia Kitaiskaia* of The Hairpin):

(Originally posted at The Hairpin HERE)

It might not be a complete answer, in my mind, but it's a solid - and positive - start.

What do you think of Baba Yaga's advice?

Want to ask Baba Yaga a question of your own?

You can!

There's now an email address where you can send your questions

directly to Baba Yaga herself.

AskBabaYaga AT gmail DOT com

To encourage Baba Yaga to continue imparting her no-bones-about-it wisdom (ok, there may be some gristle in there... bones too), I suggest we not to leave her box empty... 

Thank you Baba Yaga (& Taisia).

* Taisia Kitaiskaia is a poet, writer, and Michener Center for Writers fellow. Born in Russia and raised in America, she's had her poems and translations published in Narrative Magazine, Poetry International, and others.

Article: A Fish is a Wish Your Heart Makes - The 2,200-year-old Tale of the Chinese Cinderella (& the Ye Xian Illustrations of Stephanie Pui Mun Law)

Yexian of the Chinese Cinderella story, and the magic fish that grants her wishes.

Catchy title, don't you think?

And before you go much further I wanted to point out this lovely series of paintings by Stephanie Pui Mun Law for the fairy tale Ye Xian. I really like the incorporation of the fish into the different paintings. You can find her gallery and much more of her work (many more fairy tales) HERE.

Back to the article: I just thought this was a nicely succinct and personable piece, that's worth a read and might be good to keep on hand for reference. It has a nice summary of ancient Cinderella stories most people outside fairy tale folk wouldn't be aware of, and may be useful if you want to reference the history of Cinderella stories, particularly Ye Xian or Yeh Shen.

Yexian of the Chinese Cinderella story. - Burdens to Bear

Here are some excerpts from the article at AncientOrigins:

Before there was Cinderella, there was Ye Xian. Undeniably one of the most well-read fairy tales, Cinderella describes the life of a young woman forced into servitude by her stepmother until she is freed by her fairy godmother and a charming prince. 

Meet the Cinderellas: Ye Xian, Zezolla, and Cendrillon 

Considered to have been first dictated in the 17th century by Italian writer Giambattista Basile, and later streamlined in the 18th century by the renowned Frenchman Charles Perrault, the version of Cinderella that most have read is, in truth, a later telling of a much older story.  

Before both of these men told of Zezolla and Cendrillon, there was Ye Xian, the tale of a young Chinese girl living sometime between the Qin and Han Dynasties of China (221-206 BC and 206 -220 AD, respectively). 

It goes on to talk about the details of Ye Xian but the bit I like the most is the part about her fishy-friend:

Yexian of the Chinese Cinderella story, in her kingfisher finery

Ye Xian's Magical Protector 

Ye Xian's only relief comes from her acquaintance with a very large and very chatty fish living in the river near Ye Xian's home. The fish, as it turns out, is a guardian sent from the sky by her ever-present mother, and helps Ye Xian through her dark home life. That is, until Jun-li catches Ye Xian with the fish and Ye Xian's stepmother stabs it with a dagger for her and Jun-li's dinner. 

However, just as the fairy godmother of the better known maiden Cinderella has extraordinary magic, so does the Ye Xian's fishy friend. Its role in Ye Xian's future does not end with this mishap. 

Following the murder of her only friend, Ye Xian is visited by the spirit of an old ancestor who informs her that while the shell of her friend might be gone, its spirit is still alive. Through the burial of the fish bones in the four corners of her bedroom, Ye Xian can still harness the power of her spirit guide as one would a genie—whatever Ye Xian wishes for will come true.

Fish are fascinating creatures in fairy tales. One of the weirdly wonderful things about them is how they often continue to have magical properties/provide protection/send messages etc beyond their death... I'll have to hunt for a book on the subject (there must be one somewhere, or at least a paper).

In the meantime you can read the whole article HERE.

Yexian of the Chinese Cinderella story, in her kingfisher finery on festival night.

And the WINNER of the "The Wild Girl" Giveaway Is...

Many thanks to all our elves for sorting through the entries and verifying each individually (yes - they checked each one!). All the verified correct entries were entered into a (virtual) hat from which was pulled... 

Danzel at Silver Shoes and Rabbit Holes, with her Pinterest entry link! 

CONGRATULATIONS Danzel!

Please email me at fairytalenews AT gmail DOT com with your US mailing address, and we will have Kate Forsyth's US edition of The Wild Girl sent to you ASAP.

Note: You have till TUESDAY noon - August 4th - to claim your prize.
If unclaimed we will put all the entries back in the hat to draw another winner.

Baba Yaga Cover Contest for Timeless Tales Magazine (With Publishing + Cash Prize!)

A very cool opportunity and announcement from Tahlia at Timeless Tales Magazine!

In the past, I've always designed TT's front covers myself using the wonderful, magical design website, Canva. Considering that I have no background in art, I usually feel fairly satisfied with the result. But for a long time, I've pined after the possibility of having a real artist design them.  

Thanks to a new paid freelance writing gig, I finally have a little extra room in our budget to host a cover contest.  

Here are the details: 

The Prize: $40 to the contest winner and the possibility of future paid gigs in the future. Your cover will be featured on our Baba Yaga issue and credit will be given inside the issue to your work, including a link to your portfolio/website. 

Submissions announcement image only - you do not need to reference these visuals in any way!

The work of Five Favorite Runners-Up will be chosen to be featured in a blog post when our cover is revealed.   

The contest will be judged solely by me (Tahlia) and is completely based on my opinions and vision for the magazine.  

THE RULES: 

• WHEN: From Now Until August 15th 2015, 12am CST -- winner announced before the end of August 16th, 2015 (CST) 

• WHERE: Email all submissions to timelesstalesmagazine@gmail.com with the words "Baba Yaga Cover Contest" in the subject line. 

• FORMAT: PNG preferred, but will also accept high quality JPGs. Please label the file with your name. 

• SIZE: Either 940 x 900 or 816 x 1056

Elements it must include:

1. The title "Timeless Tales Magazine". Would ideally like it to use our official logo's font, but will consider different fonts. See this Dropbox link for PNG files of our title:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hg3ve42d9cxzsza/AAAwihto9ob4HrbSfVJdWbEKa?dl=0 

2. The words "Baba Yaga" somewhere. 

3. The words "Issue #5" somewhere.  

4. A graphic that vividly represents our theme, Baba Yaga. This could be your interpretation of Baba Yaga herself or it could be her infamous house, her mortar/pestle, or anything else you feel captures an aspect of those tales. 

5. Your bio in the body of the email that we can use if you win. If you want to include a few lines about your process coming up with the cover design, feel free. 

6. Optionally, I've included TT's Hourglass logo in the dropbox graphics (See item #1). I've never found a way to incorporate it into a cover, but if you want to try using it, feel free to give it a try. 

IMPORTANT: Please avoid classic storybook styles. 

We are aiming for a style that looks like a modern magazine cover (or vintage/retro at the oldest). Look at our other covers for inspiration HERE. 

Don't forget to check out the mini-covers we create for each story, too (click on each issue to view the mini-covers for each)! 

For example, you notice that our 12 Dancing Princesses doesn't look fairytale-ish because we want to prepare our readers for a variety of genres, from sci-fi to westerns, in our magazine.  

Please only use graphics you legally have a right to use. 

Please, please, please don't put me in the awful position of getting a nasty email from a photographer/artist saying we're using their image without asking permission.  

Have fun, be creative and think outside the usual boxes!  

You're always welcome to email me (Tahlia) questions at timelesstalesmagazine@gmail.com, if you want to run a risky idea by me before creating it. 

The clock starts ticking... NOW!

Have fun and good luck!

Tahlia Merrill Kirk

Editor of Timeless Tales Magazine

www.timelesstalesmagazine.com

GIVEAWAY! (Post pinned till entry deadline)

Click link HERE for details on how to enter for your very own copy!

ONE DAY LEFT to Enter "The Wild Girl" Giveaway!

Our elves will start work at midnight their time on the dot FRIDAY NIGHT JULY 31st, (they live in California), to verify entries for inclusion in the giveaway!

You can click HERE to check the entry instructions,

if you don't know them already. 

Look below at how lovely this book is!

The lucky WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on SATURDAY NIGHT, August 1st.

And remember, YES! You may enter more than once!

(Just hurry!)

Ask Baba Yaga: What Is Missing?

Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave by Kinuko Craft

You know that nagging feeling, that there should be... "more"? But what is this "more" that you can't identify? Baba Yaga has some ideas on the subject.

Here's today's question and answer (via poet and oracle Taisia Kitaiskaia* of The Hairpin):

(Originally posted at The Hairpin HERE)

That makes a lot of sense. But is it just about focus? Maybe she means it's about not realizing the full nourishment of the things already around you; that it's more than a lack of appreciation or of noticing them, but of really taking in the 'meat of the fruit' so you CAN be nourished. 

Hm. Food for thought.

What do you think of Baba Yaga's advice?

Want to ask Baba Yaga a question of your own?

You can!

There's now an email address where you can send your questions

directly to Baba Yaga herself.

AskBabaYaga AT gmail DOT com

To encourage Baba Yaga to continue imparting her no-bones-about-it wisdom (ok, there may be some gristle in there... bones too), I suggest we not to leave her box empty... 

Thank you Baba Yaga (& Taisia).

* Taisia Kitaiskaia is a poet, writer, and Michener Center for Writers fellow. Born in Russia and raised in America, she's had her poems and translations published in Narrative Magazine, Poetry International, and others.

Just Keep Swimming, Er, Riding... (Housekeeping Note)

'The Prince and the Goose Girl' by Elinor Mordaunt, illustrated by Alice & Martin Provensen

See those rider's faces above? That's pretty much ours right now. (Mine might be closer to the completely freaked out horse's face...)

We are in the midst of one of those oh-so-stressful processes: a hard drive replacement. And it's kinda tricky. I've been struggling along between a limited tablet and an extremely slow-and-prone to crashing computer, desperately trying to make sure I've gotten copies of all my important files. (What is that line about "backing-up your back-up"? Insert that one here.)

It's been teetering on the edge of oblivion and doing a great job at keeping our blood pressure on the high side but, with some fortuitous help from some very kind people (aka magicians):

• we now have the replacement drive (aka: high score achieved!) 
• we now have it installed (aka: level up achieved!)
• and now we have to do some technical wizardry getting all our minions out of the old fortress intact, and into the new one, all while battling devious invisible system-gremlins... (aka: Boss Battle!)

:/ #dontfreakoutdontfreakout

I need to find my game face and put it ON.

It looks like all this will require me to 'go dark' for a short time, though I hope you won't notice. If I'm not back in time to post our regular Sunday advice from Baba Yaga, the above gremlin are to be blamed but once we have conquered, I will make sure I post it ASAP so you don't have to wait a whole other week.

Wish us luck and cross your fingers that we keep all our digit(al)s intact!