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Wyngraf: Issue 2
Fantasy fans, curl up and stay a while!
The beloved cozy fantasy magazine returns! Wyngraf #2 features ten snug stories in the tradition of Redwall and The Hobbit. Feast on a smorgasbord of warm settings, caring characters, and lush magic.
Contents
•“Desert Dreams” by Angelica Fiori. Marri's family of airship traders blows through desert towns. What will she do when one needs her help?
•"The Hippogriff" by Adam McPhee. Prince Isidore has finally come of age. Can he prove himself to his father by capturing a hippogriff egg? What will happen if he succeeds?
•"Cherries in December" by LM Zaerr. Apprentice trover Maddy Makejoy just wants to impress her employer, but the dark secret of her magic sets her on a new path.
•"Ghosts of the Gatekeeper's Past" by Lawrence Harding. Brother Odran strives to atone for a life of violence, but his past won't leave him alone.
•"In the Court of the Litigious Elves" by Robert E. Harpold. Cal is a terrible cook—and his adventuring party's only hope against the elven legal system.
•"A Murder of Heroes" by Matthew Cote. Every so often, a band of heroes sets out to slay the harmless dragon Blackwing. This time they might have succeeded...
•"Hoopsleeve Family Values" by Austin Scarberry. Aerial fencer Bolliver Hoopsleeve might be foolish, impulsive, and easily confused, but he also has his drawbacks.
•"Rules for Ravelry" by Koji A. Dae. Maria has spent her life knitting magic garments for the royal family of Etar. Will she condemn a young dancer to the same fate?
•"Emergency Delivery" by George Jacobs. When an urgent request for medicine arrives at the wizard's tower, only apprentice Terren and her faithful sheep are there to answer!
•"The Ivory Eagle" by Jonathan Olfert. Kerredi needs a boat so he and his grandfather can make a living, but the annual trade meet is nearly over...
The beloved cozy fantasy magazine returns! Wyngraf #2 features ten snug stories in the tradition of Redwall and The Hobbit. Feast on a smorgasbord of warm settings, caring characters, and lush magic.
Contents
•“Desert Dreams” by Angelica Fiori. Marri's family of airship traders blows through desert towns. What will she do when one needs her help?
•"The Hippogriff" by Adam McPhee. Prince Isidore has finally come of age. Can he prove himself to his father by capturing a hippogriff egg? What will happen if he succeeds?
•"Cherries in December" by LM Zaerr. Apprentice trover Maddy Makejoy just wants to impress her employer, but the dark secret of her magic sets her on a new path.
•"Ghosts of the Gatekeeper's Past" by Lawrence Harding. Brother Odran strives to atone for a life of violence, but his past won't leave him alone.
•"In the Court of the Litigious Elves" by Robert E. Harpold. Cal is a terrible cook—and his adventuring party's only hope against the elven legal system.
•"A Murder of Heroes" by Matthew Cote. Every so often, a band of heroes sets out to slay the harmless dragon Blackwing. This time they might have succeeded...
•"Hoopsleeve Family Values" by Austin Scarberry. Aerial fencer Bolliver Hoopsleeve might be foolish, impulsive, and easily confused, but he also has his drawbacks.
•"Rules for Ravelry" by Koji A. Dae. Maria has spent her life knitting magic garments for the royal family of Etar. Will she condemn a young dancer to the same fate?
•"Emergency Delivery" by George Jacobs. When an urgent request for medicine arrives at the wizard's tower, only apprentice Terren and her faithful sheep are there to answer!
•"The Ivory Eagle" by Jonathan Olfert. Kerredi needs a boat so he and his grandfather can make a living, but the annual trade meet is nearly over...
- GenresFantasy
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2022
4 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Nathaniel Webb
33 books21 followersNathaniel "Nat20" Webb is an author and musician from Maine. His writing includes the novels Bard City Blues and A Conventional Murder and the bestselling music biography Marillion in the 1980s. He is the editor of Wyngraf, the magazine of cozy fantasy.
As a lead guitarist, he toured and recorded with numerous acts including Grammy-nominated singers Beth Hart and Jana Mashonee and Colombian pop star Marre.
Nathaniel lives with his family under a massive pile of cats. He can be found on Twitter at @nat20w and Bluesky at @nat20.bsky.social, where he mostly talks about games, writing, and obscure 80s rock bands.
As a lead guitarist, he toured and recorded with numerous acts including Grammy-nominated singers Beth Hart and Jana Mashonee and Colombian pop star Marre.
Nathaniel lives with his family under a massive pile of cats. He can be found on Twitter at @nat20w and Bluesky at @nat20.bsky.social, where he mostly talks about games, writing, and obscure 80s rock bands.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 3, 2022
I indulged in a physical copy of this one, and it's cute enough an object to make me happy I did.
I never understood why cosy murder mysteries were even a thing, but---give me cosy fantasy and the rationale is obvious, with antecedents bone-deep in my reading history.
Cosy here doesn't mean insubstantial. The editor is strong on story values. Two were my personal favourites:
Adam McPhee is writing fantasy based on Ariosto's Orlando Furioso, the wonderfully fantastic 16th-century post-medieval romance/epic. A short story from that project was enough to sign me up for this issue. It turned out to be somewhat meta--I delight in meta--in that characters consult the Furioso for advice, it being 'the founding text of the empire'. The story concerns the origins of the hippogriffs we see knights ride in the original, and is about how a boy earns a hippogriff of his own. There definitely needs to be more Furioso fantasy in the world.
I'd also mention the last story by Jonathan Olfert, who writes stone age fantasy. Perhaps his others as well have these Blue Ochre People (mammoths, who like to ornament themselves), Curling Hands People (octopuses, prehensile crafters), Grey People (seals, who assist others to seafare). Along with humans, all these peoples come to trade at a cove where a translation magic lets them talk to one another. This story left me with that genuine feel-good factor because of its vision of community and cross-species help.
I never understood why cosy murder mysteries were even a thing, but---give me cosy fantasy and the rationale is obvious, with antecedents bone-deep in my reading history.
Cosy here doesn't mean insubstantial. The editor is strong on story values. Two were my personal favourites:
Adam McPhee is writing fantasy based on Ariosto's Orlando Furioso, the wonderfully fantastic 16th-century post-medieval romance/epic. A short story from that project was enough to sign me up for this issue. It turned out to be somewhat meta--I delight in meta--in that characters consult the Furioso for advice, it being 'the founding text of the empire'. The story concerns the origins of the hippogriffs we see knights ride in the original, and is about how a boy earns a hippogriff of his own. There definitely needs to be more Furioso fantasy in the world.
I'd also mention the last story by Jonathan Olfert, who writes stone age fantasy. Perhaps his others as well have these Blue Ochre People (mammoths, who like to ornament themselves), Curling Hands People (octopuses, prehensile crafters), Grey People (seals, who assist others to seafare). Along with humans, all these peoples come to trade at a cove where a translation magic lets them talk to one another. This story left me with that genuine feel-good factor because of its vision of community and cross-species help.
October 27, 2022
Wyngraf returns with its sophomore issue taking you back to the comforting world of cozy fantasy. Cozy fantasy is nebulous and new term. But these stories I think ultimately capture what the inklings called “re-enchanting” the world. Albeit this magazine does it in a contemporary and secular way. Each story has a sense of majesty and wonder to it and a feel that the world is something beautiful and worthwhile. Regardless of whatever dangers there are within. And many of the stories are emotionally cathartic. It’s the perfect magazine to read a story or two out of when you’ve had a rough day. It succeeds triumphantly in making you feel “cozy.”
I thought all the stories were enjoyable but I’ll highlight a couple that struck me the most.
The Hippogriff by McPhee really caught my attention. It’s a really wondrous world though it has some darker undertones. I think it really captures nature in both its sublime beauty and tangible danger. It’s a charming story.
In the Court of the Litigious Elves by Harold really made me laugh your loud. It was hysterical. It reminded me a bit of critical role but without the crassness. The protagonists obliviousness, the Elves (who are a lot like the bureaucrats in hitchhikers guide to the galaxy) rigidness and the party’s banter all blend together into something spectacularly funny.
Hoopsleeve Family Values by Scarberry is also hilarious. Again, the oblivious protagonist works well. Especially juxtaposed against the brilliant but oblivious teacher. His parents interruptions during his narration and the ultimate conclusion just make this funny tale that will leave you with a smile on your face.
Lastly, George Jacobs Emergency Delivery really got my attention. I think overall it might be my favorite Wyngraf story to date. There’ so much to say. The slow but meaningful pace of the prose establishes a palpable mood. The hints of greater world building without being overwrought pull you in. Little charms like a sheep that acts more like a dog hit that heartwarming note. It’s just a great tale. That being said I was sad when it was over. The end felt a bit rushed. I know it’s the longest story in the magazine but I would love to see it revised into a novella with a slightly less hasty ending. I really enjoyed it.
In a world overrun by fantasy filled with grimdark, edginess and drama Wyngraf offers a beautiful pause. Do yourself a favor and buy a copy and read a story here and there on days where you just need a reprieve from life.
I thought all the stories were enjoyable but I’ll highlight a couple that struck me the most.
The Hippogriff by McPhee really caught my attention. It’s a really wondrous world though it has some darker undertones. I think it really captures nature in both its sublime beauty and tangible danger. It’s a charming story.
In the Court of the Litigious Elves by Harold really made me laugh your loud. It was hysterical. It reminded me a bit of critical role but without the crassness. The protagonists obliviousness, the Elves (who are a lot like the bureaucrats in hitchhikers guide to the galaxy) rigidness and the party’s banter all blend together into something spectacularly funny.
Hoopsleeve Family Values by Scarberry is also hilarious. Again, the oblivious protagonist works well. Especially juxtaposed against the brilliant but oblivious teacher. His parents interruptions during his narration and the ultimate conclusion just make this funny tale that will leave you with a smile on your face.
Lastly, George Jacobs Emergency Delivery really got my attention. I think overall it might be my favorite Wyngraf story to date. There’ so much to say. The slow but meaningful pace of the prose establishes a palpable mood. The hints of greater world building without being overwrought pull you in. Little charms like a sheep that acts more like a dog hit that heartwarming note. It’s just a great tale. That being said I was sad when it was over. The end felt a bit rushed. I know it’s the longest story in the magazine but I would love to see it revised into a novella with a slightly less hasty ending. I really enjoyed it.
In a world overrun by fantasy filled with grimdark, edginess and drama Wyngraf offers a beautiful pause. Do yourself a favor and buy a copy and read a story here and there on days where you just need a reprieve from life.
December 3, 2022
This was cozy indeed! Some stories are sillier than others, but they are all caring and kind.
September 6, 2023
Wyngraf #2, 4/5
"Desert Dreams" by Angelica Fiori, 4/5
"The Hippogriff" by Adam McPhee, 2.5/5
"Cherries in December" by LM Zaerr, 4/5
"Ghosts of the Gatekeeper's Past" by Lawrence Harding, 4.5/5
"In the Court of the Litigious Elves" by Robert. E. Harpold, 4.5/5
"A Murder of Heroes" by Matthew Cote, 4.5/5
"Hoopsleeve Family Values" by Austin Scarberry, 3.5/5
"Rules for Ravelry" by Koji A. Dae, 3/5
"Emergency Delivery" by George Jacobs, 4.5/5
"The Ivory Eagle" by Jonathan Olfert, 3/5
"Desert Dreams" by Angelica Fiori, 4/5
"The Hippogriff" by Adam McPhee, 2.5/5
"Cherries in December" by LM Zaerr, 4/5
"Ghosts of the Gatekeeper's Past" by Lawrence Harding, 4.5/5
"In the Court of the Litigious Elves" by Robert. E. Harpold, 4.5/5
"A Murder of Heroes" by Matthew Cote, 4.5/5
"Hoopsleeve Family Values" by Austin Scarberry, 3.5/5
"Rules for Ravelry" by Koji A. Dae, 3/5
"Emergency Delivery" by George Jacobs, 4.5/5
"The Ivory Eagle" by Jonathan Olfert, 3/5
July 22, 2023
Another great collection of cozy fantasy short stories.
October 19, 2022
Yes okay, one of these stories is my own, but half the fun of this sort of thing is seeing what your story gets paired with, and these were all great. Loved it. Check Wyngraf out.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews