ONCE UPON A TIME, WHAT IF...What if the Sleeping Beauty left to make her own life?What if Bluebeard's wife seized the opportunity for justice?What if the witch truly loved Rapunzel?What if Snow White learned the virtues of right rulership from the dwarves,and Jack learned wisdom from the giants?In this provocative collection, Rebecca Buchanan (author of Asphalt Gods) re-examines classic fairy tales from Mother Goose, Aesop, the Brothers Grimm, and other sources with a sharp and modern eye, deepening the impact of the original tales and often inverting the perceived moral. These re-imaginings show us not-so-noble frog princes, environmentalist knights, wicked witches revealed as wise women, the cynical politics of fairy godmothers, and unexpected humanity in the hearts of monsters.Dig Deeper ? Twist The Tales Around ? Fairy Tales Are RevolutionaryIllustrated throughout with classic art by Harry Clarke, Walter Crane, Gustave Doré, Albrecht Dürer and others.". . . beautifully rich imagery and twists you won't see coming . . . there's both pain and triumph in these fairy tale renderings, where villains are the heroes and heroes more complex than you could ever imagine. Don't try to put this book down once you start it. Instead make yourself comfortable and settle in. It's quite a ride." --Gerri Leen, Rhysling and Pushcart Prize nominated poet"[These] poems crackle with blood and life, revenge and death, life and war, and many satisfying comeuppances. For those of you who, like me, have read countless fairy tale retellings, you'll be surprised at Buchanan's way of reimagining even the most famous stories. For those less immersed in the world of fairy tales, prepare to be entertained, dazzled, shocked, and woken up. Strongly recommended." --Kate Wolford, Publisher of Enchanted Conversation: A Fairy Tale Magazine"A courageous and important collection." --Ceallaigh S. MacCath-Moran, Folklore PhD Candidate and Author of the Forthcoming Play The Belt and the Necklace". . . startling and revelatory. You will never look at these stories the same way again." --Adam Bolivar, Author of Ballads for the Witching Hour

The world's oldest literature is pagan. For thousands of years before the monotheistic traditions rose to dominance in the West, pagans told stories about the loves and miseries and adventures of Gods and Goddesses, heroes and witches and warriors. The Pagans of the contemporary world, in addition to rediscovering the Gods and heroes of old, are also writing for those Gods and heroes. "Alexander's Heart" is a science fiction tale set in a distant future ruled by the descendants of Cleopatra and Marc Antony. "Devourer" finds the Egyptian Goddess Bast in modern-day Louisiana, while "The Flower in the Dark" addresses political oppression and liberty. "Footprints" follows the Olympian Queen of the Gods to contemporary Florida, while "Orion: An EcoFable" explores the nature of environmental responsibility and the consequences of human arrogance. Finally, "A Witch Among Wolves" centers around a Lithuanian ragana, a devotee of the Horned Lord of the Underworld.

Following the great success of our Gothic Fantasy deluxe edition short story compilations, Supernatural Horror, Murder Mayhem, Lost Souls and many others, this latest title takes housebound trapped spirits and creepy gothic mansions as its chilling subject. Contains a potent mix of classic and brand new writing, with authors from the US, Canada, and the UK. Oh, what is that sound within the walls? The creaking floorboards, the children hiding in the mirror, the spirits that rake across the flesh of the mind – all find a home in this anthology of spine-tingling tales. New, contemporary and notable writers featured are: Rebecca Buchanan, Ramsey Campbell, H.B. Diaz, Tom English, John Everson, Marina Favila, Shannon Fay, Adele Gardner, Gwendolyn Kiste, Bill Kte'pi, John M. McIlveen, Kurt Newton, M. Regan, Zandra Renwick, Zach Shephard, Morgan Sylvia, and Mikal Trimm. Classic authors include E.F. Benson, Sheridan Le Fanu, Elizabeth Gaskell, W.W. Jacobs, M.R. James, Edith Wharton and more.

Fairy Tale: a wonder tale or magic tale that typically features dwarfs, dragons, elves, fairies, mermaids, talking animals, trolls, unicorns, or witches, and usually magic or enchantments. Myth: a sacred story of the gods; a religious account of the beginning of the world; the deeds of Gods and heroes; as a result of which the world, nature, and culture were created and given order. The Fox and the Rose combines the best of both of these traditions, literary and spiritual, magical and mystical. Most of the tales in this collection follow the recognizable fairy tale scheme: once, in such-and-such a land, there lived .... There are tests to pass and promises to keep and, if the hero proves worthy, a happily ever after is won. Sometimes, though, the endings are bittersweet or justly tragic, particularly when promises are broken, pride overrules compassion, and respect is denied.

A delightful collection of cozy fantasy stories set in the coziest of worlds! Return to the queendom of Cozy Vales, where the winter holidays are once again in full swing! This collection features tales set during Winter's Tide, a two-week holiday of giving and gratitude that culminates with Lantern Night, an evening marked by the lighting of candles and the release of floating lanterns. Explore the Cozy Vales holidays through seven different short stories: A Salty Season - L.A. Scott Leti and the Sugar Tassels - Selina J. Eckert The Shapeshifter’s Lost Tome - Miranda Herald The Festival of the First Frost - Phillip Sanderson Leon’s Lantern Night - Bonnie Axton A Perfect Present - G Clatworthy The Fire in the Deep - Rebecca Buchanan Cozy Vales tales are low on stakes but high on adventure, excitement, mystery, and heartwarming storytelling!

It’s time to kick your shoes off and put your talons up on the dashboard! This is Weird Fiction Quarterly’s Summer Road Trip! The old jalopy is gassed up, the tires and oil checked, and the trunk is loaded with an ice chest, plenty of towels, and maybe even a body or two as fifty authors take turns driving to some incredibly out of the way places, the like of which you’ve never seen this side of your nightmares! We have a massive itinerary including stops on other planes, faraway lands that you didn’t realize existed, haunted graveyards, and even the zoo! You don’t want to miss this massive multifarious trip!

Pagan literature knows no boundaries of genre, style, or subject. If the first five thousand years of recorded human civilization are not proof of that -- filled as they are with exuberant tales of Goddesses and Gods and spirits and Mighty Dead and heroes and fantastical animals -- than the last few decades certainly are.There has been an explosion in explicitly Pagan literature, as well as what might be considered Pagan-friendly literature. Science fiction and fantasy, and their attendant sub genres, children's books and teen books, mystery and historical fiction and romance (especially of the paranormal variety), are rich with Deities and mythologies and practitioners of the Old/New Ways.This anthology -- the second following A Witch Among Wolves, and Other Pagan Tales -- continues the tradition of Pagan authors writing Pagan tales for a Pagan audience. "Black Leopard" is a contemporary magical realism tale centering on Dionysus, while "Crossroads" finds a young girl voicing a heartfelt prayer to Hekate. "Hysthaany" follows a small community of Sekhmet devotees into outer space on a mission of mercy, while "Mr. West" finds Osiris paying a visit to a modern-day mortician. "Seeds" is set in a dystopian future of environmental degradation, while the title story, "The Serpent in the Throat," is an adventure-horror tale set in ancient Canaan.Enjoy! And, perhaps, pick up a pen and write a few stories of your own.

The universe is as mysterious and beautiful as those that dwell in it. What lies out beyond our planet? Beyond our galaxy? Societies struggle to thrive in harsh conditions and goddesses grant and withhold their blessings on a whim. In this great universe, who steps up to become heroes? Featuring ten stories focusing on goddesses and strong heroines, these stories will take you to the stars and far beyond.Featuring stories by Vonnie Winslow Crist, Kent Swarts, Deeanna West, Eddie D. Moore, Rebecca Buchanan, Umair Mirxa, Catherine J. Cole, Cindar Harrell, Zoey Xolton, and Mary E. Lowd.

Weird Fiction Quarterly does Folk Horror! Once again we bring you the finest in our now-signature 500 word flash fiction and exquisite poetry contributions, featuring over 60 writers from all around the globe and a dubious burlap sackful of color illustrations by our own Sarah Walker! Visit a strange, quaint village where the yearly festival is Everything. Call on the cunning woman or the witch doctor for a cure that might cost your very soul. Go deep into the woods in search of what may be a monster—or some forgotten god that Must be Appeased. Find a famous cryptid or two in (very) unexpected places! However you think of Folk Horror, hold onto your garland of flowers, because, as with every issue of Weird Fiction Quarterly, there is no possible way to prepare yourself for what could pop up in these pages. Portals open and close; trees are not what they seem. Tales from different countries and cultures intermingle. From the wilds you hear the reel of bewitching pipes. Whether or not you follow them, folks, things around these parts are about to get really weird!