Dear Readers,

I’ve always been captivated by fairy tales. What’s not to love? They have adventure, romance, magic, and almost always a guarantee of happily ever after … At least they do in our modern versions.

The truth is, these “tales as old as time” have been reimagined time and time again, growing from dark and dangerous cautionary tales to the safe love stories we consume as children. Despite these revisions, it seemed as though the majority of these stories were confined to portraying only one type of heroine, often the story of a rich princess with skin as white as snow.

That’s why I’m thrilled to introduce “Once Upon a Realm: Remixed Fairytales by Diverse Voices,” an anthology that breathes new life into classic tales by offering fresh perspectives from six writers of diverse backgrounds. With each story, we shatter stereotypes and challenge the traditional narrative, inviting readers of all ages to embark on a journey where every voice is heard and every person is valued.

In these pages, you’ll find tales that resonate with universal themes of love, courage, and resilience, reminding us that regardless of our backgrounds or circumstances, joy can always be found. These stories were written with teen readers in mind, but these themes are universal. We believe that seeing oneself reflected in the stories we tell is empowering—it builds confidence, reaffirming that our voices matter and that our stories can have happy endings.

Each story is crafted to be bite-sized—novella length—allowing readers to immerse themselves in a complete and satisfying tale in one sitting. And the best part? If you find yourself falling in love with the worlds we’ve created, know that all of these stories are connected to full-length books or series by each author.

We are excited to welcome you to embark on six fairytale-inspired fantasy and sci-fi adventures. We hope you find new favorite authors within these pages and that our stories inspire you to dream, to believe, and to embrace the magic within.

Welcome to “Once Upon a Realm.”

- Keshia McEntire