Contest Winner!

The Lion of Judah

Susan Wingate

I whispered back. “Yes, honey.” When I whispered I noticed the scraping begin again and stop at the foot of the stairs. The thing seemed to detect where we were. I slowly creaked my way over to Bob’s side of the bed to find out what he wanted, but it was as though he’d never spoken. He lay there nearly lifeless with his mouth wide open. His breathing had slowed to a scanty whiffet and his eyes jerked in a deep dream state. As I tended to Bob, I heard the scraping start slowly and begin an ascent up the stairwell. I simply had to make my way over to the strongbox.

The True Friend of Fairy Fandale

Colin Campbell

Fairy Farndale wasn't like the other fairies. She preferred the company of people to spending time with her own fairy kind. She even had a special friend, a little girl who lives on the edge of town in a house with a long garden that reaches way down into the fairy glen.

Contest Winner!

Blood Soup - Part #2 (Book 2 - Downfall)

Kelly A. Harmon

Prince Amalric lifted the bowl to his lips and swallowed the dregs of blood soup which had been prepared especially for his homecoming. He used his fingers to push the remaining bits of apple and pear, sopping with the peppery broth of blood and vinegar, to the edge of the bowl and slurped them into his mouth.

“More,” he said to the kitchen-page, and slammed the bowl down onto the table.

Crossroads - Part #2

Rebecca Smith

When Alicia broke through the cover of the woods on the near side of the Dauphin’s lair the first thing she saw was the portal. It was large, as tall as a man and as wide as the path. It had no visible support; instead it seemed to float suspended in place. It was framed in black and inside was a swirling green mist that made Alicia’s stomach queasy. She approached it cautiously. Nothing was visible on the other side. That strange mist seemed to go on forever. She peered around the portal to either side and saw the village in the distance. A few cautious guards were staring at the odd appearance of such a thing.

Carefully, she touched it with one hand. A soft, warm sensation flooded her fingers. It reached out and touched her very soul. This wasn’t Hell she was touching. Maybe this path led there, but this, this was the magic that bound the universe together. Something deep inside her recognized it. She felt her soul began to sing as energy poured into her from inside the portal. No matter what happened on the other side, she would have this, at least.

Editorial - Part #6 (Human Development)

Catherine Balachowski

The end of the traditional summer is upon us; children are returning to school, vacations are all but over, a husband’s honey-do list is almost completed and we at Fantasy Gazetteer marvel at all the support we have gotten. Our writers continue to bring fantasy to a new level with every issue and we thank you for the fabulous entertainment. Our readers give us feedback on the site and we truly appreciate your comments.

This month’s issue contains two novelette stories that we are midway through, Blood Soup and Crossroads. The authors of both of these stories expand the vision of their characters and their character’s human development, some for good and some not. The short stories in this issue are also both very interesting in their own right. The True Friend of Fairy Fandale is a playful story and the Lion of of Judah a story of cheating death.

So join us this month in reading stories of human character in the development stage.

Also, for those who are new to us or who haven’t tried yet – you can print the story you are reading. For some it is easier for you to read and for others you might want to take it with you.

Contest Information August 2008

Catherine Balachowski

Contests are rolling. Please check out the information on the contest page for current deadlines and up coming contests. You could be our next winner.

The Fantasy Gazetteer Short Story Contest for the October 2008 edition ends midnight of August 2, 2008.

The Fantasy Gazetteer Short Story Contest for the December 2008 edition the contest begins on August 2, 2008 and ends midnight of September 27, 2008.

The Fantasy Gazetteer Novelette Contest for the January 2009 issue. This contest begins on August 1, 2008 and will end midnight of September 27, 2008.

For rules and guidelines for any particular contest please send an e-mail to contest@fantasygazetteer.com.