Demeter’s Spicebox

Demeter’s Spicebox is a CdF micro-publication that focuses on hybridising lesser known folk and fairy-tale types. These tales are connected to each other, thus creating the basis for the hypertext fairytale project. Each issue will feature an article and two stories, although some issues may feature both poetry and fiction, depending on the season or issue. Each issue features a single folk/fairytale type.

We ask for creative revisions of said type that remains true to the essence of the tale — if you read the stories that have been accepted you will notice that each writer has managed to incorporate the prompts creatively within their retellings of each story, and that each story connects well to the previous tale. We are not looking for loose, barely-there interpretations which feature just a single motif or element from the tale. The featured folk/fairytale type IS the highlight of each issue.

This is a collaborative, creative effort. Every volume will have its own set of prompts — the intention is to create a web of fairytales that stresses on diversity, inclusion and of the merging of boundaries, based on the principle all storytellers understand:

Sometimes, the best truths are found in fiction.

You may click here to read the original essay that spells out the reasons and basis behind this fairytale project and here to read the Submissions Guidelines.

Protip: The individual guidelines for each Issue as well as general guidelines for the entire project are equally important!

I hope you will join us on this storytelling journey, bringing with you a steadfast heart, a sturdy pair of magical shoes, and the spirit of derring-do that is at the heart of this project.

- Nin