With a shelf of folkloric studies texts behind me, I specialize in re-weaving classic fairy tales with contemporary sensibilities. This service delivers a novella-length retelling that subverts the original source material.

This format works for authors developing a unique project, game writers building lore or publishers seeking fresh takes on public domain stories. I draw from a broad pool of global folklore, not just Western European canon, to find less familiar tales with potent cores.

You’ll receive a novella-length retelling between 10,000 and 15,000 words that subverts the original source material. The work format includes a brief call (30 minutes) to understand your retelling concept, followed by written communication via shared document. To begin, you provide your chosen fairy tale, retelling concept (e.g., exploring the witch’s perspective or setting it in a cyberpunk city), target audience and any existing story notes. The work involves extensive world-building that grounds the magical elements in a consistent internal logic.

Expect the complete manuscript, a map of key story beats showing where it diverges from the classic tale and a glossary of invented terms or cultural details. The language balances the lyrical tone of folklore with modern pacing, avoiding archaic dialogue that feels stiff. The process includes two revision rounds to refine the retelling or adjust the world-building elements. There is no limit on iterations within these two revision rounds. The final files are fully editable, giving you the foundation to expand, adapt or submit as a standalone piece.