Fairytales & Folklore in Urban Fantasy

As humans, we look for patterns everywhere. So, when we see a new story, draped in the shape of a well-known fairytale, the vibrant mix of the familiar with the new and strange can be irresistible to many of us as readers. There’s a reason that wrapping fairytales and folklore in urban fantasies has proven so popular.

Resonance and liminal spaces
Mythology versus fairytales
Tropes in fairytales
- Heroes and heroines
- the Fae
How important is fear?

Story Suggestions
Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente
The Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews
War for the Oaks by Emma Bull
Wizard of the Pigeons by Megan Lindholm (Robin Hobb)
Fool on the Hill by Matt Ruff
Pan’s Labyrinth by Guillermo del Toro
Moonheart by Charles de Lint
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Implied Spaces by Walter Jon Williams

Do you like fairytales and folklore in your urban fantasy — or other genres?
What are some of your favorites?

Thanks for watching! I'll be back next Thursday with more rambling ideas about writing.

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[authorjmceli]

I love this. My favorite urban fantasy stories draw from fairytales and folklore.

[kellyb.johnson]

One can often look to nature and see it is both beautiful and dangerous. Given humanity has always emulated nature, myths\fables have been a way to understand the natural world. Fairy tales on the other hand speaks to social politics 101. At least to me.

Well, nice handling of the issue that concern you most. @4:45-5:15. 🙂 I would want someone to let me know if I ever dressed up the male perspective in a skirt. Then I make it a point to consider only the emotional and or rational perspective with characters. Hero\ine alike.

[HeatherDeweyPettetEdits]

Well done, Morgan. This is one of my favorite subjects...