Welcome, Spring

interested in participating in our Autumn issue?

Welcome to The Otherworld magazine’s quarterly newsletter!

We are a new fairy tale and folklore literary magazine launching in Fall 2025. This is a place to walk through stories and tales across time, continents, and cultures through flash fiction, short stories, poetry, and essays.

Today we want to celebrate Spring here in our Northern Hemisphere–and we have an interest form for you.

The Goblin Combe: a folktale from Botanical Folk Tales from Britain and Ireland.

In this story from Lisa Schneidau’s collection, primroses act as a key to the otherworld. It’s a delightful example of the ‘little people’ acting kindly towards unwitting children, and of how greed for wealth doesn’t pay. When better than springtime to celebrate innocence and to revel in comeuppance for the greedy?

Here is a video of the author reading this story in full.

Goblin Combe is a real place in Somerset, England, and the tale was gathered from there. Have you ever been there?

Spring plant: Henbit Deadnettle

We may not see many primroses in our corners of the world, but we thought the henbit deadnettle had a delightful name. Also known as purple henbit, common henbit, or greater henbit, this little plant grows near both Jess and Stephanie’s homes. It’s popping up in Stephanie’s yard as we speak.

It is edible, though eaten raw has a very tough texture. Yes, we tried it. Maybe it would be good sprinkled in salads?

Apparently, if you blow on the tiny flowers, the sound will summon the Faerie Queen. She may even be persuaded to grant you a wish, should she appear.

Here’s a great article on the lore, history, and uses of henbit deadnettle from Blue Ridge Botanic.

Interest form

Remember that during this year, you’ll receive one email newsletter per quarter from us. On the Summer Solstice, June 21st, 2025, we’ll bring you the dates for our very first open submissions window plus the theme.

Editors Jess and Stephanie will be working to spread the word all summer long.

Interested in sending in a poem, flash fiction, or short essay?

Click here to fill out the interest form

traversing the veil together,

the editors at The Otherworld Magazine

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