Often irreverent, nonsensical, and uproariously funny, the Tales of Minz series is set in the magical and mysterious world of Minz.
The stories, which can be read in any order, are told by a young, rather overconfident storyteller named Vern. He is joined in this strange narration by an old, experienced storyteller named Barnabas E. Wooldridge, who sees what the series could become and agrees to serve as an editor for the Tales of Minz. However, Vern doesn’t take all of Barnabas’ suggestions to improve his writing… As such, helpful and humorous footnotes are provided by the editor where needed.
If you’re a fan of fantasy stories and need a good laugh, this is the series for you!
A Cobbler’s Tale
This isn’t your typical fantasy story. Then again, the protagonist isn’t your typical fantasy hero. He’s a cobbler.
Minz is a world of magic and mystery; a world of secrets and of stories. I will tell them—if you will listen.
Many, many years ago, in the small town of Harbor’s Port on the distant coast of the Serpent Sea, trouble brewed like a strong cup of coffee. (And not the good kind.) Specifically, trouble brewed for a certain fellow named Bill—who happened to be a cobbler by trade. Like most protagonists at their story’s start, Bill had no idea what sort of trouble was headed his way. And why would he? He was a cobbler. He hadn’t done anything even remotely heroic in his forty-three years of life. Granted, as a child, he wanted to grow up to be a valiant hero, but he quickly abandoned those dreams to pursue a good and sensible career with better health insurance.
Perhaps, against all odds, this would be Bill’s chance to take hold of those forgotten dreams and become the hero he once wanted to be.
A Lamplighter’s Tale
Minz can be a dark and terrible place, filled with terrifying monsters. Come closer, Dear Reader. Let me tell you a story about light and the brave people who keep the darkness and monsters at bay.
Ten-year-old Matt wants nothing more than to become a lamplighter, just like his Grandpa Hal. In his mind, lamplighters have the noblest of trades. They protect people from Vendradooks and other monsters that lurk about in the deep, dark night. At least… that’s what Matt has always thought. But when he and his Grandpa Hal travel to the town of Sephar, they land in hot water with an irate government official who thinks all lamplighters are charlatans and fearmongers. Matt’s beliefs are called into question, and he must discover the truth once and for all—before it’s too late.
Do Vendradooks really exist? Or has Matt’s entire life been a lie?
A Librarian’s Tale
This third installment in the Tales of Minz series covers the exciting adventures of a librarian, a wandering knight, and his noble squire…
Lynda has lived her whole life in the Library of Reldare. She wants nothing more than to find a cozy corner where she can avoid people, read a good book, and stay there. She has no desire whatsoever to go off on exciting adventures.
But Lynda wouldn’t be much of a protagonist, and this wouldn’t be much of a story, if she got what she wanted. One unexpected thing leads to another, and Lynda is banished from the library and forced to venture forth on an impossible quest if she ever wants to return. Through her travels, Lynda soon realizes that if she wants to save her family, the Library of Reldare, and the world of Minz itself from certain doom, she’ll have to use all of her kindness, courage, and cleverness to fulfill her quest and return home safely.
But will that be enough?
Tales of Minz: Fictions & Fables
What are these, you ask? Why, they’re free short stories set in the fantastical, whimsical world of Minz, that’s what! Check back often for new posts or subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss a single one.
