Feel free to skip the story and go to the next heading (Your Quest: Prize, Rules, and Forms) if you want to get straight to the rules, quest, and eligible stories.
The forest is changing colors with every step you take. While most land in this place possesses magic, this one carries a particular charge. It zings in the air, filling your lungs and prickling over your skin.
The trees and grass are changing. The air has taken on a blue-ish purple tinge. Some of the trees here have blue bark, heavy with silver and green moss on their north-facing sides. Sometimes when the sunlight hits just right, the air shimmers. Traces of iridescent mist curl around the blue-leafed ferns.
And then—through the silence—comes the plaintive notes of a violin. The song, sad and slow, curls through the air and draws you forward.
You slip through the trees, taking note of your surroundings and watching for any sign of danger. There’s a charge in the air. Something is about to happen. You press through a grove of thin saplings and –there.
You halt.
A woman in a red cloak stands at the edge of the clearing, her expression drawn. She lowers her violin, then presses her one finger to her lips and hurries up to you. Her black gown rustles with her steps. “No names,” she whispers. “Not mine. Not my love’s. Not yours. Not even the song’s.”
Fair enough. Names can be dangerous. Especially if one does not know how to protect it. “Is something wrong? Are you in trouble?”
She studies you, her red lips pinched. “My love lies asleep in this forest, under a curse. True love’s kiss is not the answer. It is some form of art that will be the cure. I have played music, sung, and danced. Nothing has worked. Now—now all that I can think of is to perhaps read. But I don’t know what it should be. Perhaps a fairy tale or a myth. Something like that. Perhaps several.”
“If we can’t say names, then how can I tell you the names of the books?”
She shrugs. “It wouldn’t matter. I don’t have access to them. I need the actual books, and I am not bright enough nor wise enough to create my own.”
“What if I were to bring you the actual books?” you ask. “Would that work?”
“I have no money—” she starts.
“That’s not what I asked.”
She sighs, then nods. “Perhaps. If anything would work, it is that.”
This place is not that far from one of your friend’s. They have a magnificent collection of fairy tales, myths, and retellings, and they are always happy to share. The two of you have exchanged books many times over the years. “Do you want only stories with fae as main characters?” you ask.
She shakes her head. “No. Fae or non-fae are perfectly fine. I will find some way to pay you—”
You are already on your way. If someone can be helped with a good book, you certainly aren’t going to hang back. “I’ll be right back with exactly what you need.”
She ducks her head, tears shining in her eyes. “With your help, perhaps all will be well.”
With all the time you’ve spent out here, you know precisely where to look, and you know your friend will be very happy to see you.
Your Quest: Prize, Rules, and Forms
Prize
Once you complete this quest, you will be entered for a chance to win. The prize pack for this one is a mystery pack of ebooks whose titles will remain shrouded as they are largely related to the theme of this giveaway. Their combined value is over $25.
This is open to anyone who can receive emails with ebooks.
Rules
To complete the Quest, you can use stories from either of the official lists. And yes, you can take stories from both.
You can only use a story for one element on the list in this quest. It is all right if you repeat a story from any other quest though.
Be kind to your fellow readers and other authors.
The Forms
You are on your way to find ten stories.
You will need to find ten stories that are fairy tales, fairy tale retellings, or myth retellings. It can be any combination of those three types.
Just because a story has fae does not make the story a fairy tale. Original fairy tales in this event have been labeled with the tag fairytale on the trope card.
Fairytale retellings and myth retellings aren’t necessarily labeled as such on the trope cards but frequently do on the blurbs. You may have to do some digging. Remember that a lot of authors work in references to the fairy tales myths in their covers. And they generally mention them in the blurb.
This one you will either fill out a Google Form or email us your discoveries.
Each answer is worth one token. So you can receive 10 tokens by completing this. Each token is an entry into the giveaway.
Bonus Tokens
In addition to the regular tokens, you can get bonus tokens by completing the following acts.
One extra token for every story you share in an individual social media post. (Yes, you can post on multiple platforms.)
Use #onceuponatimebonus (and if you want to absolutely bless me, save off the links and paste them in the forms or an email to make sure we definitely see them. Screenshots also work.).
(We have graphics of all the stories here so you don’t have to make something separate. Just look look under the author’s last name to find the stories.)
Submitting Your Form
Once you’ve gathered up your collection of stories, you’ll need to turn them in so we can verify.
You can turn in your stories in two ways.
- Complete this form and directly post your answers (if you do this, you don’t need to turn in anything else. The form will allow you to return to it and edit your answers).
- Email your five choices to faeornofae@farofeb.com. Make sure to include any of the bonus activities you have done as well. Use the title Once Upon a Time Quest or some similar identifier.
Make sure to submit your completed form or list by July 3 at 11:59 PM EST.
If you have any problems, please feel free to email faeornofae@farofeb.com.
The Conclusion to Once Upon a Time Quest
It takes you scarcely any time at all. Your friend is more than happy to help you. It’s been far too long since you have spent time together, and you agree to meet again soon to discuss your adventures. You also promise to bring her wonderful new stories to read.
Then off you go, making your way back to the woman in the red cloak. She waits for you in the place you left her, standing still and calm against the backdrop of blue trees. Her brow lifts, and her gaze becomes hopeful as she sees you.
You hold up the satchel of books. “Not that I will say any names, but these stories are some of the best you can find. If anything can break the curse, it is them.”
“Oh.” Her face brightens as she takes hold of the bag. “I can feel the magic in these books already. Oh, they are perfect. These—these may work.” She laughs a little and hugs the bag close. “Thank you. All shall be well indeed. Thank you for the gifts.”
She hurries away, books still clasped to her chest.
You sigh as she leaves. It’s been a full day. You’re getting tired. But it warms your heart to know you could be of aid. If only all woes of the world could be solved with such stories, all would be well indeed.
Have you explored all the Bonus Quests yet? If this is the only one, don’t worry. I hear there may be more. In fact, I hear the rustling of wings now.