Enchanted Conversation: Healers, Midwives and Cunning Folk
Submissions accepted between Oct. 01 and Oct. 03
The theme for 2021 is “Healers, Midwives and Cunning Folk.” I’m looking for old fashioned herbal healers who served villages way back in the day, midwives also tended to help with a variety of ailments, and “cunning folk,” who used folk magic as well as potions, salves and poultices, etc. Think of regular herbalists, hedge witches, kitchen witches, regular midwives, etc. I am looking for folklore to merge into fairy tales here.
What does that mean? It means you should submit works that have at least an element of the theme above. You may retell an existing fairy tale or use a story for a jumping off place for your poem or story. You can mashup two or more fairy tales. The theme may figure into your work in subtle or large ways. It’s all up to you.
New Fairy Tales: Fairy tales that are almost or entirely new or are just new takes on old tales are all welcome. Mashups of existing fairy tales are welcome as well. Submissions must follow the theme below to be considered.
Essays: Nonfiction articles about any aspect fairy tales and folklore are being sought. The term “essay” just means you’ll be writing about fairy-tale related matters in a nonfiction article. Creative nonfiction is welcome. You do not have to stick to the theme, but you can.
Poetry: Poetry inspired by fairy tales and that follows the theme is also welcome.