Transport yourself to the magical realms of the winning pieces for our Fairytales & Myths Competition, guest judged by author Elisabeth Sharp McKetta! "What a joy to be able to read these stories and reviews. Stellar writers and readers," she shared. We couldn't believe these pieces so expertly repurpose old tales to shed light on new angles and mythical nuances.
Winner:
“Six Things That a Lothian Cannot Trust,” by Len (Canada)
You do a marvelous job getting the reader into Morgause’s mind. Not only that, but the suspense of what the sixth thing will be holds taut throughout the entire story. The prose is rich with poetry, and the gap between “When Morgause turned around, it was too late” and “Sluagh are messy eaters” gave me goosebumps! You do beautiful work with spacing, pacing, and repetition. I love how these poetic fears become a sort of chorus: “A cow’s horn, a horse’s hoof, a dog’s snarl, an Englishman's laugh, and a spirit’s cry." Overall, Morgause’s voice (both what she says and what she thinks), the poetry of the sentences, and the suspense of the plot kept me fascinated the whole way through.
Runner-Up:
“Why Does the Lizard Nod?” by StarDiamond (Nigeria)
I am so taken with the humor and humanity in this piece. I love the line, “The lizard watches and feels the echo of a heartbeat that once hammered with panic over quarterly reports.” You do a wonderful job merging office culture and myth, sacred and profane, and letting humor shine through an ordinary day's annoyances. The word I think of to describe this piece is charming. It is so charming! The moment near the end where a frustrated office worker “looks up, sees the lizard. The lizard looks back, and gives a slow, deliberate nod. I see you friend, keep going” offers an uplifting, grounding reminder that we are all just doing our best. This piece combines wackiness, humor, extraordinary detail, and surprise with a wise and sparkling emotional souvenir.
Best Peer Review:
“The Hunter,” reviewed by Riddhima2011 (Portugal)
What a reader you are! Your review suggests a strong sense of the story's pulse, and I love the way you begin with what you see in order to show the writer both what the story IS and what it might be. Your manner in peer review is gentle and humble, while also being clear-sighted and very wise. Writers are fortunate to get your feedback.
Piece Finalists:
“A Girl and the Sea,” by flanlova (United States - Maryland)
Such a gorgeous story, and I love your way of showing how a story evolves in response to its tellers and listeners. This one moved me greatly.
“A Place Not Meant For Swans,” by ipsibean13 (United States - North Carolina)
I’m so taken by the way you use this story to handle visibility and invisibility, and by the way you bring in swans. I will be eager to see more of your writing in the world.
“As Ibé.,” by Wums (Nigeria)
This story packs a big punch, and is potent with beauty, mystery, and danger. I love the short lines, porous for the readers to slip our imaginations into. Fabulous.
“Cloud Catcher,” by Garrisona (United States - Massachusetts)
What a lovely story of persistence, and how what we wish to know isn't always what we can keep. It does read like a beloved children’s book—I hope you keep pursuing that dream!
“Illusions of Eternity,” by Brooklyn Pincock (United States - Utah)
I love how you handle age in this piece. I also think it’s so clever how you determined which gods and goddesses voted which way: those who are threatened by age voted against him, and those with deeper value-systems voted to keep him.
“The Galing Picoy Bird,” by Puella (Canada)
This is such a moving story about how to handle smallness and strength, and mixed with no small amount of humor! It has a great moral, which reminds me a little of one of Aesop’s fables but set in the Philippines—I was transported.
“The Old Woman of Mizunoe’s Coast,” by Lost Sailor (Canada)
Congratulations on making the shortlist! What gorgeous handling of love, longing, and loyalty, using evocative seaside imagery. Keep writing.
“What the Pool Remembers,” by Lizziegrace970 (United States - Colorado)
I adore the way that you use this story to handle obsession of self and other, and by the many potent ways you bring in the myth, reimagining it. Gorgeous title too, and really strong lines throughout.
Peer Review Finalist:
“Crimson,” reviewed by F1Chicken (United States - New Jersey)
What gorgeous insights into the details of this piece! You do a wonderful job offering impressions and suggestions, both at the structural and sentence level. Beautiful, generous, wise reading and reviewing.
