urban fairy tales - bad or good?

yanallefish · Dec 14, 2007

For some reason, this past year I've gotten stuck in a rut of writing them. Basically they run about the same as your generic fairy tale (I mean like Grimm), but with a more urban setting. Yes, I write fairy tales time to time but this is ridiculous! I'd love to know why but I think it's asking too much

What I really want to know is if it's a bad idea (and therefore I should wop myself upside the head to change them) or a good one.

If it's a good one (theoretically) does anyone know of markets that might take this?

I'm at a loss, personally.

Indirectly · Dec 14, 2007

Is this something like Urban Fantasy? Are they contemporary urban fairy tale retellings? Or not contemporary, just urban?

IMO it's not a bad idea at all. But I'm a huge fan of the fairy tales collected by the Grimm brothers.

yanallefish · Dec 14, 2007

Yes, it's very much like Urban Fantasy - just more of a fairytale-voice.

Indirectly · Dec 14, 2007

yanallefish said:
Yes, it's very much like Urban Fantasy - just more of a fairytale-voice.

Personally, I would like to see more of that.

I am sure there's a market for it, although I don't have any specific suggestions beyond the usual ways we search for agents/publishers. I'd look for similar books/stories and see who published/repped them, otherwise I might stick with people who represent Urban Fantasy.

The only hestitation with UF is that it usually has a more contemporary street-smart voice, but it seems like a decent place to start.

Danthia · Dec 14, 2007

What matters is "Is it a great story?" If yes, you're golden, if no, it doesn't matter. Write what you're passionate about and don't worry about the small stuff. Make it a great story and the rest will follow.

Doodlebug · Dec 14, 2007

I personally love that kind of stuff!

I'm a big fan of Charles deLint and he writes a lot of urban fantasy. I think that Danthia's right...if it's a good story, go with it.

ProtoMatic · Dec 14, 2007

If you like writing it, how can it be a bad idea? There's bound to be people who like that sort of thing. (Me for example.)

I love Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, and I really can't classify that as anything but "urban fairy tale". (Not that I did before, not having heard the expression

)

waylander · Dec 14, 2007

Realms of Fantasy seem to publish a good few 'updated' fairy tales - done very well of course

ChaosTitan · Dec 14, 2007

There is a market for updated fairy tales and myths. I could have sworn I bookmarked a webzine that looks specifically for these types of stories, but now I can't find it. Gak!

Danthia · Dec 15, 2007

Doodlebug, I just finished de Lint's "The Blue Girl" last night. Great book. Do you know if has more with those characters or world? He has a list of book in the fornt but it doesn't say which (if any) are a series.

NiennaC · Dec 15, 2007

yanallefish said:
For some reason, this past year I've gotten stuck in a rut of writing them. Basically they run about the same as your generic fairy tale (I mean like Grimm), but with a more urban setting. Yes, I write fairy tales time to time but this is ridiculous! I'd love to know why but I think it's asking too much

What I really want to know is if it's a bad idea (and therefore I should wop myself upside the head to change them) or a good one.

If it's a good one (theoretically) does anyone know of markets that might take this?

I'm at a loss, personally.

I think it's a great idea, sounds like the kind of thing I'd really like to read.

Dru · Dec 20, 2007

Danthia,

Most of deLint's books are in Newford. It looks like Blue Girl is one of those, so yes, there are plenty more.

urban fairy tales - bad or good?

yanallefish

Indirectly

yanallefish

Indirectly

Danthia

Doodlebug

ProtoMatic

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

ChaosTitan

Around

Danthia

NiennaC

Dru

Professionally Paranoid