Bewildering Stories welcomes...

Bethany Cardwell

Beth is a native of the San Francisco Bay area and lives there with her husband and family. She loves stories about mystery and magic and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

“Emma and the Mermaid” may strike readers as something of a dark mystery. It does not seem to be a story for young children. Since Emma grows from grade-scool age to a young adult, her age probably represents that of the story’s intended audience.

Emma is lonely. Teenagers will recognize the cutthroat social competition and exclusion that often reigns especially among pre-teen and teenage schoolgirls. The mermaid brings in a fantasy element that is central to the story. But the mermaid is not entirely a playful companion for Emma; the mermaid has an agenda of her own with complex ties to Emma’s family.

Bethany Cardwell’s bio sketch can be found here.

Welcome to Bewildering Stories, Beth. We hope to hear from you again soon and often!