Writing for an Anthology by Jae El Foster – guest post and giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The authors will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

My focus with writing falls into multiple genres; I write what the muses tell me to write. Usually, it is horror, thrillers, contemporary, or something along those lines. I’ve enjoyed tackling romance and comedy, and it has always been a great experience to craft these tales. Yet, I will admit; I found the idea of writing a fairy tale quite daunting.

Naturally, when you’re writing a story for a call for submissions, you don’t know who else is submitting or what anyone else is writing. You don’t want to copy; you want to stay original, which means tapping into that creativity and blending the most memorable aspects of the fairy tale genre into one strong, adventurous tale.

I had to go back to my childhood and recall the things that had always stood out for me in fairy tales. There had always been a princess in peril and a prince destined to save her. There was usually a wicked stepmother that caused the princess’s peril. Fairy godmothers came to mind, as did powerful witches. I believe Walt Disney’s influence made me add a lovable animal sidekick to that list. Aside from all of these aspects, you have to remember the basics – there is usually true love’s kiss, and a happily ever after. And, if you’re crafty enough, you can work in the all powerful slaying of the dragon.

Tell me that this isn’t a daunting task.

Did I mention that when I write, I love nothing more than a daunting task?

When we take in these story dimensions and add to it the restraints of a word count, the intensity of the task grows even greater. Again, one does not know how many other authors are submitting works, how many will be accepted, and how long each will be. A guarantee is that a novel-length story will not be accepted into an anthology. It will either be flat-out rejected, or a publisher might ask that it be submitted differently as a stand-alone project, but it will not be in an anthology.

On the opposite hand, a piece of flash fiction would not encompass everything needed to build the story and complete it.

Now, there is the distinct possibility that I set myself up for things that become bigger than they should be, and there is the possibility that I over-think things and go into too much detail or take an extra turn here and there that extends the story.

In my opinion, none of these things are bad.

For my contribution to DCL Publications’ anthology Enchanted Fairy Tales, I went with a long-form short story in ‘To Adventure.’ With it, I was able to include each of the fairy tale elements that I had hoped for – everything from the cursed princess to my own special version of the slaying of the dragon – and I was able to do it in a way that kept the story moving only swiftly, accurately, and with a steady flow.

When I received news from my editor on who would be included in the anthology with me, I was both pleased and excited. I drafted some early promos for each of our contributions, as well as some ‘now available’ promos when the book was released. Both Lady Lynn and Lady Miriam are wonderful women and talented authors and I was – and am – privileged to be in their company with Enchanted Fairy Tales.

The anthology bug is a contagious one. In November, I will be included in a DCL Christmas anthology titled The Greatest Gift of All. I will be alongside DCL seasoned author Kristi Ahlers, as well as two authors who are new to the DCL family – Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe and Roxy Q. Reise. There is even a little surprise in the anthology for our wonderful readers who have enjoyed the Dark Castle Lords for over a decade now.

As if that isn’t exciting enough, I’m helping steadfast DCL’s Valentine’s anthology called Queens of Hearts. The call for submissions for this anthology is still open and will remain so until November 16. For any authors interested in submitting, I’ve included the full call on my website at www.jaeelbooks.com/submissions. We love hearing from new and seasoned authors and are seeking fresh stories from new faces to join our current participating authors for Queens of Hearts.

Writing for an anthology is a wonderful, challenging task, and I invite all authors who have considered it to take on that challenge, embrace it, and conquer it.

Remember always to do good things.

The Gingerbread Man- A Scrumptious Erotic Fairytale
by Lynn Hubbard

Once upon a time there was a girl named Penelope. Food was scarce those days, and she had to walk miles looking for roots or berries to eat. After a long, hot morning Penelope was tired and hungry. A delicious scent led her to a cabin deep in the woods. She followed it in anticipation of having all her needs filled.

The Legend of M’Rith
by Miriam Newman

By 1844, an increase in the human population of Ireland has forced Fae inhabitants from their lush green homes in the East to the spare, bare terrain of the West–except for one. M’Rith, half fairie and half elf, has been bidden by her Queen Mother to remain in the forest, promising her a mortal man to love. Kieran, the village blacksmith, has lost his wife and lives in the same painful solitude as M’Rith, but he is a worker of iron that can mortally wound a fairie lover.

To Adventure
by Jae El Foster

There is a black plague crossing from kingdom to kingdom, placed upon a slumbering princess by her wicked stepmother, and only with true love’s kiss can the spell be lifted. Will the plague encompass all before that kiss can be sealed, or will the power of true love make itself known to the handsome Prince Harold, providing him with the adventure of a lifetime?

Enjoy an excerpt from To Adventure by Jae El Foster

“I thank you for your time, but I must depart now. I have my horse with me, and it is going to storm soon.”

“That thunder does not mean rain,” she said in a cryptic tone.

“Well, I cannot chance that. Thank you again.”

Prince Harold turned from her and walked to the curtain. This time, Madame Howell did not stop him. He pulled the curtain open and stepped outside, looking up to the sky. Surely enough, the sky was clear, the moon was full, and thousands of stars glistened down upon him.

He saw the young man with the scruffy beard standing alone by the fire. Letting his encounter with Madame Howell remain behind him, locked inside that tent, he approached him.

“Hello again,” he said, stepping up to the young man. “I never did get your name.”

“That is because I never told it to you,” the young man answered.

“Well… may I know your name?”

The young man looked at him and smiled. His smile was less than comforting though. It made Prince Harold uneasy once more.

“I have been called many names,” he told him in a voice that was uncanny and dark. “My favorite has been Mephistopheles.”

Refusing to lose his smile, Prince Harold backed away slowly, placing his hands up before him. “I have heard that name,” he said in a nervous tone. “I think perhaps you shared in too much of the wine tonight, but regardless of that fact, I must be going. My horse awaits me.”

Lynn Hubbard: Lynn Hubbard is a Historical Fiction author. She has been writing for over ten years and has eight books. Most of which are westerns. Lynn is fascinated by the Old West and her books portray when life was simpler. When, people worked hard, and sweated to make an honest living. And when justice wasn’t always blind.

Miriam Newman: Fantasy poetry driven by myths and legends has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I was published in poetry before catching the romance writing bug. I bring that background to my writing along with a lifelong addiction to horses, an 18 year career in various areas of psychiatric social services and many trips to Ireland, where I nurture my muse. My published works range from contemporary fantasy romance to fantasy historical, futuristic, science fiction and historical romance. Currently I live in rural Pennsylvania with a “motley crew” of rescue animals.

Jae El Foster is an author with whom you question going to bed with at night, but you dare to venture beneath the sheets with him anyway. As the venture concludes, you are perhaps romanced by it, or perhaps you are frightened by it. Don’t worry, because you are always satisfied by it. Despite the title or genre of the book, Jae El sets out to please you with climatic and unexpected conclusions that will make you tremble with emotion. Hop aboard the Jae El train and give it a good ride.

a Rafflecopter giveawayHow safe is this medication for treating erectile dysfunction? canada viagra cialis Kamagra is a very safe medication when used under the guidance of experienced professionals in the field of Ayurveda. When people http://appalachianmagazine.com/2019/08/13/usda-to-vaccinate-raccoons-in-appalachia-via-aircraft-drops/ levitra properien comment on DoFollow blogs and leave a link, that link has SEO value. These medicines bring sudden change in the level of blood buy viagra online browse around now flow to the area. This duration assures a pleasurable and satisfying lovemaking levitra india session is no longer possible.