Miscellaneous

In which I collect tidbits that don't belong elsewhere

1.  

I just want to remind you all that Spinning Straw into Gold welcomes and is actively seeking guest posts.  So if you have something you think would fit the theme, do contact me.  I don't don't want this blog to subsist entirely of me lecturing!

2.  

Here is an imperative, inspirational video all writers and lovers of storytelling should watch.

Thanks to Myth & Moore for sharing.

3.  

The 2013 Winter edition of Goblin Fruit is here!

Oh, how I love this journal.  I dream of it being in print one day.

4.  

Kristin of Tales of Faerie explores the mysteries of The Twelve Dancing Princesses here and here, with help from the Surlalune series.

5.  

I haven't forgot about The Snow Queen series, I've just got a lot of other projects running at the same time.  More installments to come.

6.  

This is related to writing, though not fairy tales.  My short story "The Debt," which received an honorable mention in the 2012 Tuscany Prize for Catholic Fiction Short Stories category, is now published in digital format.  Hard copy publications are forthcoming in the next couple of weeks.

I can personally attest to fiction of the highest quality in this collection, and it is very affordable.  It would mean so much if you supported us, either by purchasing or spreading the word.

7.  

I'm planning for more Fourth Friday Fairy Tale Prompts in the future, after a brief respite, so thanks to those who have participated in the past, and for those who haven't, look here.

Share it with those whom you think would enjoy participating.

Grace and Whimsy

Artist Sheilah Beckett

I first encountered this artist in a Little Golden Book, The Twelve Days of Christmas, which I saw in the checkout line at the grocery store and insisted that my mother buy me.  I was enchanted by the details and elegance of the clothing, the ebbing hair, and the delicate hands and features.

When I googled her, I was delighted (to say the least) to see her fairy tale illustrations.

Each story has a slightly different style, which, I think, shows her flexibility as an artist.

Twelve Dancing Princesses

from Sleeping Beauty

Snow White and Rose Red

Titania and Oberon

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Hansel and Gretel

Oh, wondrous internet, opening new worlds to me!  (And yet more and more ways for me to spend money I don't have.)

For more of my favorite childhood fairy tale artists, click the link.

And don't forget to tell your friends about our fairy tale writing contest.  I hope that even if you aren't a contest-type person that you will come back for the writing prompt exercises.