I’m elated to share that my first-ever published fantasy short story is out now in Issue 5 of From The Farther Trees magazine! When it comes to my fiction writing, I tend to gravitate more towards the science fiction genre, and I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had several science fiction short stories published in recent years. But I’ve always been a fan of fantasy fiction, and it’s been a wonderful journey to have tried my hand at writing various types of fantasy tales. And now I’m thrilled to finally share one of them with the world.
“The Mural” is a fantasy tale about a young painter who is forced to accept a commission from a nefarious monarch. This story arose from an exercise in describing colors, and after I began to imagine what sorts of magic could exist within the visible light spectrum. I had a truly enjoyable time gradually building out the world in which it is set, and I’m incredibly pleased that an idea for a narrative conflict that has long been gestating in my mind finally found a place to exist. I won’t say anymore than that, because I hope readers will enjoy discovering this story’s world—and the twists and turns within it—for themselves.
Best of all, From The Farther Trees is making Issue 5 available as a FREE download for a limited time. Click the link to read the whole digital issue, filled with plenty of fantastic stories and poems, or to order your own print version that’s lovingly fashioned in an old-school zine style.
Click here to check out Issue 5 of From The Farther Trees magazine.
Acknowledgments.
My sincerest thanks go out to From The Farther Trees magazine and its editor, Rick Hollon, for choosing to feature “The Mural” within the pages of a truly beautiful publication. In the publisher’s own words, the magazine’s goal is “to mingle the underground spirit of pre-internet DIY zine culture with the storytelling talent and progressive social attitudes of 2020s fantasy.” It’s been an absolute delight to see so many independent speculative fiction publications emerge over the past few years, and From The Farther Trees is one that especially stands out thanks to its focus on the fantasy genre, its thoughtful curation of engaging and heartfelt stories and poetry, and its lovingly crafted, hand-bound construction.
I would also like to thank my mother, whose passion for painting partly inspired this story, and whose own artwork has often demonstrated the liberating power of art and its ability to help free one from the shackles of personal strife.
And, of course, thank you to my wife for her ceaseless support of my own creative pursuits, and to my children who inspire all that I do in writing and in life.
Follow me on Twitter—@mdouglaswhite.
