Once upon a time … When you read that, how many of you thought of a princess, Prince Charming, an evil witch, poison, and love everlasting? They are as familiar to us as our loved ones, despite being centuries old. Two hundred years ago the Grimm brothers compiled a collection of these stories and popularity remained strong, but how true to reality are these tales in the present day? Jessica Bennett, executive director for India Ink Press, wants to take what we know as the classic fairy tale and spin it on its head. “Modern Grimmoire: Contemporary Fairy Tales, Fables, & Folklore” is the 2012 answer to the Grimm’s ancient compilation. “There is something about magical realism, magic in a contemporary setting, that people are embracing,” Bennett said. “Plus with the anniversary of the Grimms’ collection this December, it was just the perfect time to come out with our generation’s version of fairy tales.” Fairy tales have typically served as cautionary sagas to young and old alike. Despite Disney’s sanitized versions, these tales were truly disturbing: the Little Mermaid kills herself, Cinderella’s stepsisters get their eyes pecked out, Little Red Riding Hood meets her fate in the wolf’s stomach. “We’re not necessarily looking for stories with morals, just stories and poems that contain elements of a fairy tale,” Bennett explained. “And they don’t have to have magic either. They can be written to feel magical when you read them.” These never-before-published short stories, poems, mini-dramas, illustrations, and photos in “Modern Grimmoire” were submitted by artist and writers worldwide in a contest hosted by India Ink Press. The book will be launched in May, heralded by The Poison Apple Ball, a costume gala fundraiser. Ticket sales are open to all. Magical, cautionary, or just captivating, these modern-day fairy tales could be the next set of stories to inspire and be reinterpreted by future generations. The variety of tales and images is astonishing and most importantly, the content is relevant and intriguing. Maybe it’s no longer “Once upon a time” but “Yesterday, her email pinged …” but these stories promise to retain the same enchanting and thrilling effect we all love in original fairy tales. Check it out online: www.indigoinkpress.org/modern-grimmoire/