What a year! It is only in looking back on the year’s work (both published and works-in progress) that I realize I’ve devoted the most part of the year to crafting darkly whimsical tales. Without further ado, here are the stories I had out this year for your reading pleasure.

• The Tale of Jaja and Canti: This story’s journey to publication is long and winding. I first wrote it 2019, a tale which, upon its first conception, I had no idea what it was really about. But the world called to me, and the language brought it to life. It wasn’t until early this year when I resurrected it fro the proverbial trunk that I realised I had penned a Pinnochio retelling—if only by virtue of the main character being made of wood.

• Lágbájá: I was contacted by Rym Kechacha and Magda Knight for this one. They were putting together an anthology of mutated folk tales, and they had read and loved my work and wanted me to contribute a story to the anthology. I was only too thrilled to. Not only because the theme was something that intrigued me (indeed, most of my work has been a rumination of sorts on folk and fairy tales) but because all the proceeds were going to FareShare UK to combat hunger. I wrote this story in three days, and it touched on things I’d long had rattling about in my head. I’m proud of how it turned out.

• Deep in the Gardener’s Barrow: The idea behind this story is simple: Hansel and Gretel, but darker. I’ve always wondered how a story might turn out if I took a well known element and went with it. It is said that give five writers the same story seed and you’ll have yourself five different stories. Isn’t that just wonderful?

These stories are eligible for all the awards, so if you read and loved them, if they spoke to you in a certain way, vote for them—but more importantly, share them!