The Retelling of Fairy Tales
Another newwww book, another newwwww book. (Dances)
THE RETELLING OF FAIRY TALES
I’ve done it again, children. I’ve written a different flavor of book. Why can’t I ever just stick to one genre? Why!?!?
Because the muse wants what it wants, that’s why.
This book is extra special to me because of all the illustrations I’ve done throughout the story. It seems like, with every book I release, I just do more and more artwork. I need to calm down. This time around, I have 16 illustrations!
Here are some chapter headers:
About the Art
I tried to give each story’s illustrations their own look and feel.
Symbiotes has some opposing views and the characters see everything as very black and white, so there are stark shapes of black in every piece.
With For the Love of Coffee, you’ll see a lot of swirls in the artwork, representing the genie’s magic.
Sympathy for the Devil was a very sad and intense story, so I wanted a more detailed approach to the illustrations. As a bit of trivia, each one is set atop of a scan of watercolor paper texture.
In Soulmates and Silence, the tone is very funny, so I wanted to give it a cutesy, almost comic book approach.
What was different about this book?
Well, other than being a collection of short stories vs. a novel, I was able to stretch my wings and create characters beyond the tropes I’ve written in the past. I was able to write people who were entirely flippant (Koti *cough cough), all to serious (poor, poor Nox), and innocent to the point of ridiculousness (Saelle and Nal, you adorable things, you). It was great to flex those muscles and give the characters their own voices.
What is the tone of this book?
Every story varies, truly.
Symbiotes has a very fairy tale feel with some serious moments, and some light hearted ones. It’s very balanced.
For the Love of Coffee is filled with snark, but it’s truly heartfelt and has a good moral center.
Sympathy for the Devil is tense and sad. We’re watching a little angel become the devil, even though he fights against it every step of the way. To me, the imagery I use in this story is extremely powerful as well. The use of colors and how they align to emotion really made this vivid in my mind.
Soulmates and Silence is a completely comedic, romantic ride. Lots of fun mutual pining and a unicorn who loves nothing more than to be a manipulative bastard.
Why does this book make you afraid, Nichol?
My mom told me I was going to hell for writing Sympathy for the Devil. So…I guess there’s that? It’s meant as a work of fiction and is not mean to disparage anyone’s beliefs, so please don’t Christian Cancel me! (Wahh!)
For those of you who want to get a copy:
Let me embed a video of me reading Soulmates and Silence to you. You can find other readthroughs on my YouTube playlist.
Last thing!
Story Synopsis:
THE RETELLING OF FAIRY TALES
Prepare to be surprised!
A reimagining of some of our most beloved childhood stories for an adult audience, adding twists and turns that bring them into fantasy worlds, modern day settings, alien planets, and may even take the point of view of the villain. Join us for:
Symbiotes: The tale of The Frog Prince set in a strange world where only your fated match can help you evolve into who you were truly meant to be.
For the Love of Coffee: The story of The Genie and the Lamp told with both humor and heart in modern day Hawaii, proving that you don't need to be a prince to be worthy of love.
Sympathy for the Devil: The tale of The Fall as seen through the eyes of the devil. What if God set a curse upon one of Its sweetest, most holy creations? Watch innocence twist into evil, for the road to hell is, indeed, paved with good intentions.
Soulmates and Silence: The Little Mermaid, but instead as a young man raised to be an irreverent troublemaker. His voice is taken as punishment for yet another ridiculous misdeed, and only by finding his soulmate by the next full moon can he take back what was once his.
Fully illustrated, this collection will make you laugh, pull your heartstrings, and let you fall in love. Come with us and enjoy the call of destiny, the sizzle of romance, the ache of tragedy, and the timelessness of magic, all wrapped together in this one unforgettable collection of short stories.
