Attention!

Attention fairy tale writers!  Enchanted Conversation, one of the best known fairy tale publications online, is hosting a big writing contest with a $200 prize.  The journal is edited by Ms. Kate Wolfold, whom I interviewed here, and is being held in celebration of the release of her book Beyond the Glass Slipper from Worldweaver Press.  The deadline is August 15th, so consider reading up on the rules and entering.

Ms. Wolfold is also looking for regular paid columnists for EC.  Earn a little extra cash doing something you would absolutely be doing anyway.  Am I right?

2013

Looking Back

In 2012, we've held our first contest, hosted what we hope to be the first of many Fourth Friday Fairy Tale Prompts, heard about the fairy tale value of Harry Potter, seen a promising adaptation of an old classic, and witnessed the unveiling of a brand new fairy tale publication!

So, what's on the agenda for next year?

Cory Godbey

Looking Forward

Fourth Friday Fairy Tales

When the holidays die down, we'll resume our fairy tale prompts.

As a reminder, the prompts can be used to inspire any original, creative undertaking: be it a piece of music, performance art, or a collage.  It doesn't have to be only poetry and writing!

Contests

So far, SSiG has held one contest, and I'd like to hold more.  However, financing more than one a year poses a problem.  I've considered adding a Donate button to the blog, but am wary about asking readers to trust their money will go right into funding contests and giveaways.  I'd like to hear readers' opinions on this.

The Harry Potter Project

The biggest undertaking of them all.  I've only read the first book in the Harry Potter series, which gives me a strong disadvantage in fantasy and fairy tale dialogue.  And what would be more fun and discussion-spurring than posting about my Potter experience as I'm reading it?

A few things give me pause: Harry Potter has already permeated our culture in such a way that it would be impossible to pick up the books without previous influence.  So I could approach reading in either one of three ways:

1.  Pretend as best I can that I have never heard of the series and try to imagine what my reactions might be if I were encountering the books in pure experience. 

2.  Throw my prejudices and expectations out there as I read, and let the reader determine what is of value and what isn't. 

3.  Do extensive research before and during reading.  Come to the books armed to the teeth with knowledge of sources, influences, and authorial intention.

What do you think?

And More

More book reviews, original fairy tales, and artist spotlights!  What would you like to see more of on SSiG in the new year?

Cory Godbey

Three Orders of Business

I.  Following up with the Fairy Tale Prompt Contest:

Both Masha's and Rebecca T.'s entries were superb in voice, style, theme, craft, and execution--like Snow White and Rose Red, strikingly different, but equally beautiful.  So, in the end, I drew a  scrap of paper out of a tea cup.

Masha, congratulations!  You're the winner!

The winner at random (also drawn out of a tea cup) is Matthew T.  Congratulations, Matthew!

Winners, please e-mail me your mailing address so that I can mail you your gift card.

Thank you all again for entering.  If I had the resources, everyone who participated would receive a gift card.  

I can't emphasize enough how much I enjoyed reading the entries; individuals' unique imagination at work; and the ability for an image to plant a seed and grow a beanstalk--or a ladder--into another realm.

If you haven't yet, please take the time to read and offer encouragement and advice for the stories.

II.  A writing and sharing exercise?  Like in high school?

I really wanted this to be a sharing exercise for the writing and fairy tale communities.  My desire in the future is to regularly host a prompt writing exercise, and this contest was a good trial run.

Fourth Fridays Fairy Tale Prompt is still in the planning stages, including the name, but one of the decisions I've come to is not to limit the writing to fantastical subjects.  Though I still plan to use images and phrases derived from fairy tales and other surreal themes.

Muses don't cooperate well on short leashes, or so I hear.

Another wrinkle to iron out is how often to hold the exercise.  Writing stories usually takes a longer time than writing poems, and then people get busy.  

Also, I will highly encourage reading each others' contributions in order to appreciate, encourage, and offer constructive criticism (if desired).

So, if you have a minute (or even if you don't, it's really easy), scroll down to the very bottom of the blog and vote in the poll.

III.  Now, I want to hear about what you want to see more of on Spinning Straw into Gold.

Do you enjoy artist spotlights or know of anyone in particular, storyteller or otherwise, who is an amateur and deserves a shout-out?  

Would you like to see more exegesis of the classic fairy tales, or more thoughts and sharing on the creative processes?  

Guest posts?  

Book reviews?

Let me know in the comments box below, and thank you.

Winners and Wild Things

Thanks to all who entered a story or poem into the fairy tale prompt contest.  Winners will be announced shortly.

Please, if you have the time, take a moment to read these wonderful contributions to the fairy tale tradition by people who love telling stories.

On Submissions II

My little poem "Collector" was published online this morning!

The Red Poppy Review is a neat little e-journal, which I like to peruse for its varying styles and genres.  I enjoy the simple-but-encompassing sturdiness of its poems. 

The Bedtime Book, Jessie Willcox Smith

Also, our own contest is drawing to a close tomorrow.  Please be sure to upload your entry using the inlinkz tool.  It will end at midnight, like Cinderella's jaunt at the ball.

Fairy Tale Contest Redux

So, we've had a little time to catch our breaths and reach out to other bloggers and fairy tale lovers.  It's now or never, right?  

The fairy tale writing contest is open for submissions again.

The original rules still apply, except that the deadline has been moved forward to August 20th, 2012.  I am giving it the one month I intended when I initiated the contest.

If you already have yours written, wonderful!  Let it sit.  Come back to it with a fresh perspective and nip/tuck to make it just so, or get some feedback from a trusted friend.  Read it aloud to your dog.  Plant it in soil, water it, see if it grows.

If, however, you're new to the contest, here are the rules.

How to Participate

Using this prompt

copyright Lissie Elle Laricchia

follow the instructions bellow carefully.  Failure to follow the guidelines may disqualify.

1. Write a short fairy tale story or poem inspired by this photograph.  It must be fantastic or mythical in nature.  Other than that, the domain is entirely up to the author.  Please no stories longer than 3,000 words.  Must be suitable for young adults.
2. Post the direct link to your entry using inlinkz below.  Then comment to let me know you have entered.*
3. I retain the right to add to or alter the rules as needed.

Two winners will be chosen to receive a $15 Barnes & Noble gift card.  One entry will win based on creativity, storytelling, language, voice, etc.  Another will be picked at random.  This is so that everyone stands a chance of winning, no matter what their skill levels.

After the contest closes on Aug. 20, I will determine, based on number of entries and their lengths, when winners will be announced.  It won't be more than two weeks, so sit tight until then and enjoy everyone's entries!

Please address any questions you may have in the comments below or e-mail me.

* I am requiring that fairy tales are entered using the inlinkz application, which you will find below, because of my desire for this to be an exercise in sharing our writing for mutual enjoyment and peer support.  Everyone's labor deserves to be regarded and appreciated.  However, it has occurred to me that not everyone has a blog or online presence.  If you are that person, I would be more than happy to host your entry on Spinning Straw into Gold and link it to this post.  Just contact me with your story and information and let me know.

Contest Postponed

UPDATE:  The contest has been reinstated with a new deadline!

Due to lack of exposure and some personal life events, the fairy tale writing contest will be postponed until further notice.

I fully intend to re-open the contest at a later date, perhaps after Spinning Straw into Gold gets more regular traffic and I have the time and finances to give it the exposure it deserves.

So please keep checking back here, and in the meantime, I would relish any opportunity to share your fairy tale and ideas concerning Faerie here on this blog.

Do not hesitate to e-mail!

Fairy Tale Contest

My wish is for this blog to be an interactive community for fairy tale writers, poets, and artists.

I mentioned in a previous post that I want to start a regular fairy tale prompt exercise, in which I post a photo, image, word, phrase, or song for inspiration.  People can then link the fairy tale creations that result, and all participants will be encouraged to enjoy each others' work and give feedback, if desired.

To launch this exercise and get the word out, I am hosting a contest.  

Two entries will be picked to each win a $15 Barnes & Noble gift card.  That should do for a crisp, new soft-cover (but you can spend it on anything).

One winning entry will be picked at random.  That's right, all you have to do is try and you stand a chance at winning.  I don't want people to be discouraged because of lack of writing experience or because they feel that they don't stand a chance against competition.

That being said, I do want people to make an effort to write to the best of their ability.

Therefore, the other winning entry will be picked by me, based on originality, style, use of language and imagery, storytelling, and execution.

The contest will be open until June 1st.  CONTEST POSTPONED.  Please keep checking back with us to see when the contest will be opened and for the new deadline.  Contest reinstated here.

How to Participate

Here is the prompt:

copyright Lissie Elle Laricchia

Follow the instructions bellow carefully.  Failure to follow the guidelines may disqualify.

1. Write a short fairy tale story or poem inspired by this photograph.  It must be fantastic or mythical in nature.  Other than that, the domain is entirely up to the author.  Please no stories longer than 3,000 words.  Must be suitable for young adults.
2. Post the direct link to your entry using inlinkz below.  Then comment to let me know you have entered.
3. I retain the right to add to or alter the rules as needed.

After the contest closes, I will determine, based on number of entries and their lengths, when winners will be announced.  It won't be more than two weeks, so sit tight until then and enjoy everyone's entries!