A Touch of Magic

A YA Fantasy Anthology edited by Janina Franck
with stories by Lyssa Chiavari, Annie Cosby, Victoria Gilbert, Selenia Paz, BJ Pierson, and Jane Watson

Let us put a spell on you.

7 Authors. 10 Stories. Crafted with potions, curses, and fairy dust, each one of them is infused with just a touch of magic.

In this Anthology, Snowy Wings Publishing opens doors into worlds of the fantastical—stories of those finding their true calling, those who live with curses, those who right the wrongs, and those who risk everything to save the ones they love.

Among historical, contemporary, and futuristic tales, there’s enough magic to spirit you away.

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Inside the Stories

“The Weight of Time” by Janina Franck, author of Chronicles of the Bat
How do people become ghosts? Hilde doesn’t know. For three hundred years, she haunts her home, imprisoned by her own walls, watching the world change around her, never seen or noticed by anyone. But her world is turned upside down, forcing her to question everything she thought she knew the day a young man moves in. A young man who can see her.

“Crafting an Artisan” by BJ Pierson, author of SuperDrew and the Secrets of Donhil Corp
Technology is great—it’s fast, cheap, and everyone can use it. But only Artisans can take paper and create flowers that actually grow, or paints and make a portrait that teleports the viewer. Because only Artisans can imbue their hand-crafted items with real, honest-to-goodness magic. Jonah isn’t just your average teenage guy. He fixes cars and watches horror movies and sews bags that never fill up. But no one knows he’s an Artisan. Sewing isn’t exactly an acceptable hobby for a guy. Or so he’s been told. Can Jonah dare to be different? Can a plunge into the world of the Artisans, and a challenge to his own assumptions, convince him to shatter the stereotypes and follow his dreams?

“Witch” by Lyssa Chiavari, author of The Iamos Trilogy
When a mermaid princess comes to her hoping to gain a human soul, an aged Sea Witch remembers the bargain she made long ago that led to her becoming a witch in the first place—and how it cost her the one thing the little mermaid now so desperately craves.

“To Save a Faerie Captive” by Annie Cosby, author of Hearts Out of Water
When Arianwen’s mother dies just days after giving birth to a baby boy, it’s Arianwen who finds her. And she can’t forget the last time she saw her, how her mother looked—like her features were wooden or carved from ice. So when a local widow reveals to Arianwen how the Tylwyth Teg, the faerie people, take mortal captives, Arianwen knows she must do something. Something like going to faerie land to search for her mother. But does she have the courage?

“The Cat and the Conjurers” by Victoria Gilbert, author of The Mirror of Immortality
Pulled from the streets to become the lone servant to master conjurer, Quinius Legrand, Jenny has known little kindness or love in her young life. Quinius, who uses his considerable magical powers only for gain, single-mindedly chases a dream of turning base metals into gold. Obsessed with his alchemical pursuits, Quinius treats Jenny harshly and shows little affection to his only child, Arabella, who bonds with Jenny over their shared misery.

When Quinius’s new apprentice, Jac, joins the household, he ushers in with him a sense of joy never before seen in the gloomy old home. At last, Jenny can imagine a brighter future—one where she might actually enjoy the love and friendship she craves. But when a terrible act of hatred destroys her hopes, Jenny must decide how far she is willing to go to avenge a friend. Accepting a magical transformation may be the only way to find justice, but it’s a choice that will also change everything about her—dramatically and forever.

“The Cost of Magic” by Selenia Paz, author of The Leyendas Trilogy
When Marisol’s father becomes dangerously ill, Marisol desperately searches for a way to save his life. Turning to the rumors she has heard about mysterious witches that live in the forest that borders her village, Marisol ventures into the dark woods, determined to obtain the help that will save her father’s life. What Marisol does not know is that the magic that she seeks comes at a cost—one greater and more complicated than she could have imagined.

“Magic by the Cup” by Jane Watson, author of The Taming of the Dudebro
Witch Melissa has always loved the mortal world—so much so that when she had the opportunity to attend high school and work at a local coffee shop there called the Beanery, she jumped at the chance. Her happiness is short-lived, however, when an unscrupulous developer announces plans to tear down the historic building the Beanery is housed in, which, unbeknownst to the mortals, is home to the portal to the Magical Realm. Will Melissa, her wood nymph friend and her cute mortal co-worker be able to stop him in time?

“The Cursed Tower” by Lyssa Chiavari
Rapunzel has spent her life trapped in an enchanted tower that no living being can enter or leave, her life energy fueling a vengeful witch. The only way to escape the tower is by casting a dark spell—but will Rapunzel be willing to make the sacrifice the spell calls for, or will she remain trapped in her prison forever?

“The Faoladh’s Secret” by Annie Cosby
There are no wolves in Ireland. Everyone knows that. So why are there rumors flying around Kilkenny that people have sighted them in the woods? While the townspeople frantically try to solve the mystery, Cian Whelan does his best to stay out of it. Because Cian’s family has a secret of its own. When his best friend, Nessa, discovers a corpse in the Whelan home, the secret is out—and it might cost Cian everything.

“A Spark in Space” by Janina Franck
Traveling into space on the Harvius VI mission is all Tabea wants. She worked hard and studied diligently for years at the Academy under Callaghan’s guidance, but a sudden thunderstorm might just get in the way the day she needs to prove herself. Normally getting struck by lightning would be the end of her, but instead, she finds herself with a set of new, strange abilities. Abilities that might just save her and Callaghan’s lives.