Cassie Duncanson contributed our most unique story in the Folio. As soon as I read it, I had a vision for its 2-page spread! You’ll find it at the very end of the Folio. A lingering image that we hope will get you excited for our 2024 volume!

What inspired you to write your story? How does that inspiration manifest in this work? 

I wrote the first draft of this piece while studying with Janice Lee (@diddioz on Instagram) at Portland State University. I don’t recall the exact theme of the class, but I was working through a series of prompts that dealt with breaking form and I became really captivated by playing with sentence structure and seeing how just how short, repetitive, or run-on I could make my sentences while still writing a compelling story. This combined with my boyfriend at the time joking with me about my developing a recently-discovered minor megafauna-phobia led to me work through the feeling of anxiety I felt whenever I considered GIANT ROCKS THAT MOVE, SEEMINGLY WITHOUT REASON.

What was the hardest part of your writing process? Do you think it will be easier for your next story? 

*Reneé 

 Rapp voice* ADHD! The exact way I experience ADHD makes it incredibly hard for me to fully visualize plot and see how each action effects the other and finalize that into something coherent and logical. It makes flash fiction a great playground for me, but makes it difficult to write longer form like I want to do. 

What was your first thought after hitting the “submit” button for your Folio submission? What was your first thought after being accepted? 

I submitted with about 3 minutes to spare, so I think my first thought was “I need to go to bed.”

My first thought after being accepted was that I was really glad to have finally found a home for my piece. I’m very proud of it and I hadn’t seen a journal or magazine that felt like the right fit.

What are you writing now (or next)? 

I am forever working on a novel-length retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth.

The launch of the Fiddlehead Folio will take place at the Literary Extravaganza and Book Bazaar on Saturday, December 2nd from 10am-3pm at the Writers’ Loft in Hudson, MA. If you live in Massachusetts, we would love to see you and share the Folio (along with so many other books on sale that day!) with you! Planning to join us? Let us know on Facebook or Eventbrite!