The Mage, the Troll, and the Gold Coins

The unexpected demise of a witch on All Hallow’s Eve prompts her faithful assistant to seek the answer to the question, “Who killed Edith Evilez?” Genre: Horror   Excerpt: “Who killed Edith Evilez?” the slightly malnourished young—or perhaps old—woman asked, as she thrust a dusty umbrella at a passing passerby. The asker’s name was Trudy Trubbeld. And she had been standing at the corner, asking the question—or rather accusing the question—to various passersby since the death of her mistress and mentor, the aforementioned Edith Evilez, known to her enemies as Edie, and to her friends by no name, as she had no friends to call her by any name.   What’s the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Write a 200-word newspaper obituary for your villain. Ready. Set. Novel. Writer’s Workbook. Chris Baty, Lindsey Grant, and Tavia Stewart-Streit. Copyright © 2011. Chronicle Books.   MY FIRST BOOK IS OUT!Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer’s Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It’s now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon. Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE (Hint: The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletter, where you can get tales of my fictioneering mischief and writing tips from me for free. Simply diabolical.)    CREDITSStory: “Evil Edie's Surprise Demise” Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel   Music: “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)   Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* “Eternal life” “Witches” “At night” “The death of love”   Music by CHRIS LOGSDON* “Haunted Town” “Shady Town”   Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* “Mystical House” “Hidden Fear” “Evil is Near” “Funny Horror” “Scary Theme #3”   *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.   Music by Nicholas Jeudy, Chris Logsdon, and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks?  Just cropping to align with my narration.   Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.net Find more music by Chris Logsdon, Andrew Sitkov, and Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Partial view of an obituary in a newspaper seen from a slight angle. At right is the image of a woman seen from shoulders up, wearing a collared cloak, face in three-quarters profile facing right, one brow and one corner of the mouth raised in a smiled, hair in a low bun at her neck. She holds up her left hand. The top half of a bat seems to be emerging from her palm. Another bat with outstretched wings facing forward appears just above her palm. At left, partial view of a column with text. The top reads “Obituary.” Below it reads “Edith Evilez.”  The following text is visible, with ellipses representing parts that are cut off as they are out of frame. “…vilez passed in terror and fright on the night of October 31…is yet to be determined according to one of three profane…she might have followed. She is survived by her faithful…ing and slightly malnourished assistant, her beloved pet…the partially sentient carnivorous pitcher plant that…otherwise fetid greenhouse. Sometimes joined forces…ogud and Ralph Rotneg. Gave stingily of her time and…ociety of Whisper-mongers. Was awarded the dishonor…allion for her work with wandering spirits. Served a…junior board member for the Pocket Goblin Company…in dental assisting, equine communications, and…Known for her collection of historical thimbles…corded by aforementioned faithful assistant were…Edith will be begrudgingly remembered by…mies for her stalwart efforts at frightening…the downtrodden, and the surprisingly delicate…the summer block party every year…one. Her passing being celebrated by all…manity, and goodness.” The rectangular image is made square by borders at top and bottom which contain blurred and distorted bits from the main image. Watermark of “Storyfeather” below the obituary text.

A young woman finally learns the truth about what happened when her grand-aunty accepted a dare to knock on the door of a mysterious manor. Genre: Horror   Excerpt: Naomi clicked on her recorder, took a deep breath, and asked her grand-aunty Z about the one thing that her mother and grandmother told her to never, ever, never, never, ever ask her about. “Aunty, what did you see when you went into Mausefalle Manor? And how is it that you got out when so many other people never did?” Her aunty, whose full name was Zelda, responded by glancing down at the plate on the coffee table between them. “Have a cookie.”   What’s the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Not a prompt. Recurring dream going into a house and getting lost.  Patterns of wallpaper are complex and dizzying.   MY FIRST BOOK IS OUT!Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer’s Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It’s now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon. Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   I’ve Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE   CREDITSStory: “Mausefalle Manor” Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel Music: “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)   Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* “Dedale” “Broken keys” “Hunter’s moon” “Evidence” “Blood and bones” “A dead heart” “After dark” “Dark echoes” “Past and secrets” “Sins and sinners” “Incantation” “The mirror” “Demon’s cage”   *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.   Music by Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks?  Just cropping to align with my narration.   Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.net Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. At center right, middle ground, a two-level manor house seen from a corner. A tower with parapets is attached to one side. The upper level along one wall is covered with a series of blinds. Weeds grow in the foreground. Rain falls at a slant from top right to bottom left.  A distorted ghostly outline of the house is reflected at left, sharing an edge with the house. Borders at top and bottom make the image square. The borders contain black-and-white blurred portions of the main image; the top of the image at top and the bottom of the image at bottom. Watermark of “Storyfeather” along top wall of the manor house at right.

A family is haunted by a demon who collects the fallen baby teeth of the children, and who soon hungers for more and more teeth, even when there are none for them to offer. Genre: Horror   Excerpt: Many doctors and healers had tended to him. But the family he left behind, to whom he was beloved, blamed only one. The doctor of teeth. For before he came, the patient appeared to be suffering some pain but in general was in good spirits. It was poor luck, on the part of the doctor of teeth. The infection had already taken hold. None could have stopped it. But the family did not know this. And perhaps would not have cared if they did. For even if the man had lived, the screams he uttered during the surgery upon his teeth, those screams alone would have earned the doctor of teeth an enemy or two in the family.   What’s the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Set limits—time limits, page limits, rules of rhyme or meter. Source: The Observation Deck. Naomi Epel. Copyright © 1994. Chronicle Books. The exercise or rather the challenge is merely this…write a story that is between 2500 to 3500 words, and no more.     MY FIRST BOOK IS OUT!Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer’s Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It’s now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon. Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   I’ve Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE     CREDITSStory: “The Curse of the Tooth Demon” Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel   Music: “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)   Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* “Inspector” “Evidence” “Unsolved” “Mourning day” “Under my bed” “Just behind” “Demon at the door” “Killer escape” “Dark Secret”   *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.   Music by Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks?  Just cropping to align with my narration.   Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.net Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Crouching amid shadows, tilted to the left of vertical, a humanoid figure with pale green mottled skin, white, bloodshot eyes with no irises, and a wide smiling mouth filled with long sharp teeth. The clawed left hand rests on the figure’s knees, and the right hand extends forward toward the silhouette of a sleeping human figure seen in right profile at bottom foreground. Watermark of “Storyfeather” along the bottom of the demon’s palm.

Traveling on a road at night that cuts through the woods, one driver fears encountering dangers both natural and supernatural. Genre: Horror   Excerpt: The car had been behind me for a while, even before we turned onto Dollortop, the road that just barely split the sprawling woods that separated the counties. I gripped the steering wheel at ten and two, and glanced at the rearview mirror, as I eased my foot off the accelerator. My car began to slow.   What’s the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Looks like this story was inspired by “Over the River and Through the Woods,” a Thanksgiving nursery rhyme. “Over the river, and through the wood, To Grandmother's (Grandfather's) house we go. The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh, Through the white and drifted snow.” And so on. It’s a long rhyme!   MY FIRST BOOK IS OUT!Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer’s Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It’s now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon. Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE (Haha, hear me spell "store" incorrectly in the outro.) I’ve Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE   CREDITSStory: “Through the Woods at Night” Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel  Music: “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)   Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* “Unsolved” “The killer story” “I’m sorry” “Ruined” “Silence is dead” “Hope is gone” “Human monster” “Discovering the truth” “Whispers”   *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.   Music by Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks?  Just cropping to align with my narration.   Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.net Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. View from inside a car at night facing the front windshield. At left, the driver’s arms extend toward the steering wheel, held in both hands. On the dashboard, the radio dial, air vents, and glove box are just visible in the dark cabin. Beyond the windshield is a narrow road, bordered by bare-branched trees. In the rearview mirror appears a hazy shadow of shoulders and a head. Borders at top and bottom make the rectangular image a square. Hazy trees extend into the top border. The bottom border contains smears of color from the bottom of the image. Watermark of “Storyfeather” along the glove box.

Be advised: This episode contains some intense music and sound effects.  A group of friends venture into an abandoned tunnel against the warnings of one of them, who senses there is something in the tunnel that won’t let them get to the other side. Genre: Horror   Excerpt: Bradley rubbed his hands together and looked at Amora. “It’s show time.” Phoebe walked over to Amora, whose dark-eyed gaze was still staring ahead at the tunnel. “Take your time,” Phoebe said. She wanted to tell Bradley to stop staring, but she figured it would only make Amora feel more self-conscious. “So?” Bradley said. “Is there anything in there?”   What’s the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?No prompt. Okay, so what if a group of friends find a haunted tunnel?    MY BOOK IS HERE!Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer’s Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It’s now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. For a limited time you can get all formats for a special launch price. The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon. Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   I’ve Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE   CREDITSStory: “The Mad Tunnel” Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel   Music: “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)   Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* “Lost in the maze” “The story behind her smile” “Once upon a time” “As if it comes” “The crypt” “Sacrifice” “Pitch black” “Panic attack” “Shadow tunnel” “Communication” “Trust me” “I’m sorry” “Experiment 8” “Sounds from the end” “Experiment 6”   *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.   Music by Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Vocal effects created with AudacityChanges made to the musical tracks?  Just cropping to align with my narration.   Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. At middle, view down a dark stony tunnel. Foreground, two people from behind and shoulders up. Person at left, seen in silhouette, holds one arm outstretched. Person at right, mostly in darkness, holds up a flashlight, shining it down the center of the tunnel. The light illuminates a man some distance away, lying on his stomach, propping himself up with both palms on the ground. The man looks forward, his brows raised. Visible in the light, on either side of him are thick legs ending in feet with curved claws. The legs belong to a massive bear-like creature standing over him. The creature’s clawed hands are visible in the light. The rest of the creature is hidden in shadow. A border is added at top and bottom to make the rectangular image square. The border contains patterns that match the stony texture and circle shape of the tunnel. Top border contains two hazy red points aligned next to each other. At middle left, watermark of “Storyfeather.”

A bard embarks on a quest to discover what it is that the dragons guard at the center of a maze made of the primal cosmic elements.  Genre: Fantasy   Excerpt: Once upon a time, there was an ocean of water and at the center of this ocean of water was an ocean of sand and at the center of this ocean of sand was an ocean of air and at the center of this ocean of air was an ocean of fire. This ocean of fire was the realm of the dragons.   What’s the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Prompt: Write a short story beginning with the line “Once upon time…” Source: A Writer’s Year: 365 Creative Writing Prompts. Text by Emma Bastow. Copyright © 2019 HarperCollins Publishers     MY BOOK IS HERE!Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer’s Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It’s now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. For a limited time you can get all formats for a special launch price. The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon. Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   I’ve Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE   CREDITSStory: “That Which Dragons Guard” Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel   Music: “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)   Music by CHRIS LOGSDON “Mystical Town”   Music by BENJAMIN CARR (Scythuz)* “Crystal Caves” “Ice Cavern” “Underwater Temple” “Mystical Forest” “Ancient Ruins” “Orchestral Battle Theme 4” “Miscellaneous Battle Theme 3” “Miscellaneous Battle Theme 1” “Mausoleum”   *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.   Music by Benjamin Carr and Chris Logsdon licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Vocal effects created with AudacityChanges made to the musical tracks?  Just cropping to align with my narration.   Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Benjamin Carr and Chris Logsdon at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com     Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Right half, partial view of a dragon, facing forward, seen from chest up. Wings are raised but folded down. Head is curved down from a long neck. Two horns slightly curving down extend from behind the eyes, which look down at the black silhouette of a human at bottom left, seen from the shoulders up. Behind the human and the dragon’s chest is a bright light shining on a rocky surface. Watermark of “Storyfeather” along the dragon’s left wing.

A small team of marine explorers searches for a treasure from an arcane myth, a jewel that fell from the heavens.   Genre: Science Fiction   Excerpt: “So the gods order the sea fairies to wreck the ship,” Dalil continued. “I mean tear it apart until nothing is left, not even a single plank for the princess to grab onto to survive. But here’s the thing, the thing that the king didn’t know and the gods didn’t know—because they never paid attention to the girl. She was great friends with the fairies of the sea. She loved the beaches of her kingdom. And she loved the sea. And she would bring the fairies gifts from the gifts she received, and gifts that she had made herself, and she learned their language. So even though she didn’t ask them to save her, they saved her.”   “This story is about to take a turn, isn’t it?”    What’s the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Rory’s Story Cubes.  Story Cubes Voyages.  Rolled all nine die.  In no particular order…Crown Open chest (treasure chest)Submarine Monkey on a branchWorried expressionSix BeansParamecium Camera Crab   MY BOOK IS HERE!Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer’s Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It’s now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. For a limited time you can get all formats for a special launch price. The book title takes you straight to the sales page on Amazon. Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   I’ve Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE   CREDITSStory: “The Nimasterion” Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel   Music: “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)   Music by LEE ROSEVERE “The Long Journey” “Thoughtful” “Cosmic Drifting” Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* “Learning punch” “Under the mask” “The deal” “Negociation” “Doubts” “Master” “Trojan horse” “Men in black”   *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.   Music by Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market Music by Lee Rosevere is licensed under CC BY 4.0Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks?  Just cropping to align with my narration.   Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by Lee Rosevere at freemusicarchive.org and bandcamp.comFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. View from inside a vessel. Two people, seen from the back, sit in chairs in front of a round window, a control console between them. The console bears a label with the letters “MAG.” The person at right pulls down on a throttle on the console. The person at left points out of the window with the right hand and holds the first two fingers of the left hand on a wall panel at left. Cables hang down from upper right. In the cabin behind the pilots’ section, part of a monitor is visible. The monitor is labeled “Station 3” along the vertical edge. The horizontal edge bears the label “Science,” though the last two letters are cut off. Below the monitor is a container bearing an arrow pointing up along one side, and the letters “AGILE,” presumably the word “fragile” with the first letters cut off. The top of the container is labeled “MAG.” At bottom left corner, partially visible, is a display labeled “CAM19.” One of the triangular sectors on the display is labeled minus-five. At bottom the word “forward” is visible, and the letters “METRY.” Watermark of “Storyfeather” along container at bottom right. The rectangular image is made square by adding a top and bottom border with a curving portal-like pattern that matches the colors of the main image.

The heiress of an unexpected fortune learns the cost of becoming too attached to her newfound riches after she is cursed by a magical vagabond.  Genre: Fairy Tale   Excerpt: “But beware that you cling too tightly to your riches, madam. For gold likes best to glitter in the light, and if you confine it, it will seek to fly away. Your treasure will turn against you.”  “So says one who has no treasure,” Gilda said. “Your words are as empty as your pockets.”  The old man raised his voice, for the carriage was now moving away. “A necklace is a noose and a ring is a sting. What is yours is yours no more. You have lost everything.”   What’s the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Write about a very rich person who loses everything. Source: A Writer’s Year: 365 Creative Writing Prompts. Text by Emma Bastow. Copyright © 2019 HarperCollins Publishers     MY BOOK IS HERE!Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer’s Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It’s now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. For a limited time you can get all formats for a special launch price. The book title takes you straight to the sales page on Amazon. Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   I’ve Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE   CREDITSStory: “The Treasure of Gilda” Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel Music: “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by BENJAMIN CARR (Scythuz)* “Crystal Caves” “Labyrinth” “Mystical Forest” “Ice Cavern”   Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* “Evidence” “A story of gold” “Dark fields” “Unsolved” “Inspector” “Whispers” “Sun and moon” “Winterheart” “Emblem”   *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.   Music by Nicholas Jeudy and Benjamin Carr licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks?  Just cropping to align with my narration.   Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Benjamin Carr and Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com     Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. At left, a chest seen from an angle with the lid partly open. A glowing yellow light bursts out from the chest. Several yellow birds, each surrounded with a glowing and sparkling light, are scattered in flight around the chest, one of them perched at one edge of the open chest. The rectangular image at center is made square with a border at top and bottom that show blurred portions of the main image. Watermark of “Storyfeather” on inside lid of chest.

A young mage facing a difficult homecoming finds a treasure by the side of the road, a stolen treasure whose true owner she cannot find, and whose last owner is a terrible troll. Genre: Fairy Tale   Excerpt: With one hand, she raised the sack, as she waved the other before her eyes, casting a lensing spell that would allow her to see any magical markings upon the sack. Indeed there was a magical mark, not on the sack, but on its contents. The sack was filled with gold coins, and they all bore the scrawling scratching mark of a claim in a script she could not read, but recognized at once. The script of the trolls.   What’s the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?You find $1000 on the street.  What do you do with it? Source: A Writer’s Year: 365 Creative Writing Prompts. Text by Emma Bastow. Copyright © 2019 HarperCollins Publishers   MY BOOK IS HERE!Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer’s Field Guide. The book details how to write a short story from start to finish. The eBook is out now. It’s a #1 new release, and for a limited time you can get it for a special launch price. (Print versions are imminent.) The book title takes you straight to the sales page on Amazon. Or you can find visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   I’ve Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE   CREDITSStory: “The Mage, the Troll, and the Gold Coins” Copyright © 2019 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel   Music: “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro)   Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* “A story of gold” “Compass” “The village” “Secret water” “Don’t move” “Shadow forest” “Home” “The plan” “Shields up” “Out of the temple” “They follow”   *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.   Music by Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks?  Just cropping to align with my narration.   Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A cloaked woman seen from waist up facing and looking forward through half-closed eyes. Her left hand is held forward with palm up and fingers curled. Her bent right arm is held to the side with hand over the head, first two fingers flourished. Sparkling lights swirl around her. Faintly visible behind and above the woman are two eyes with vertical pupils and thick furrowed brows. Watermark of “Storyfeather” along woman’s cloak at bottom left.

When Baron Raven discovers a rare gem in his mines, he performs his duty by making a gift of the gem to his liege, King Monkey. Genre: Fable   Excerpt: In the mines within the five mountains that lay at the kingdom’s borders, Baron Raven discovered a most wondrous stone. Even in its raw form, it shone with a cosmic gleam that kindled the baron’s curiosity. The gears of his clever mind spun and whirred.     What’s the Writing Prompt that inspired the story?Rory’s Story Cubes. Story Cubes Voyages Roll Mountains (five) with a path leading to them and a moon/sun in the sky Blackbird (raven) Old-timey ray gun (like 50’s sci-fi shows) Monkey on a branch Three gears Old camera Stick figure face looking sheepish(?) and wearing a bandanna over their head Closed sack full of something Necklace with a gemstone pendant that is octagon cut MY BOOK IS HERE!Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method. And I talk all about it in my first ever book called Fictioneer’s Field Guide. The book details how to write a short story from start to finish. The eBook is out now. It’s a #1 new release, and for a limited time you can get it for a special launch price. (Print versions are coming soon.) The book title takes you straight to the sales page on Amazon. Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   I’ve Got Issues For YouThe Storyfeather Gazette is a monthly round-up of my recent podcast episodes, short stories, trailers, news, recommendations, and more that I send by email. Follow the link to look through old issues and to Sign Up: STORYFEATHER GAZETTE     CREDITS Story: “Baron Raven's Magnificent Gift ” Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel Music: “Trip-Hop Lounge Abstract Background” by Digital Emotions (Intro/Outro) Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* “Of sun and sand” “The bard” “A way to find the truth” “A way to find another truth” “Desert dance” “Scroll of the wind walker” “In the shadows” “Primal” “The lightkeeper” “Haven” “Infinite land”   *These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.   Music by Nicholas Jeudy licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Vocal effects created with AudacityChanges made to the musical tracks?  Just cropping to align with my narration.   Find more music by Digital_Emotions at audiojungle.netFind more music by Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A stained glass octagon-cut gem at center, each facet a different color. The lines of the outer facets extend beyond the gem, forming glowing rays around the gem, each ray a different color. The largest rays or sections contain symbols. The top section, the sun with nine rays; the left section, a five-pointed star; the bottom section, a flame; and the right section, a crescent moon. Watermark of “Storyfeather” along top of ray extending to bottom right.