Middle grade fantasy, projected at 45k (30k written, 24k beta’d). Yes, I’m finally talking about it.

It’s Sleeping Beauty meets The Tale of Despereaux; that’s the pitch.

Once upon a time, there was a cursed princess, a blessed baby prince, and a little orphan nursemaid that nobody really loved. But arguably, the princess and the prince weren’t loved either– The fairies and their own royal parents were too preoccupied with the curse, the blessings, and whatever else. Parties, mostly.

So, when the princess’s curse plunges her into sleep, it’s up to the baby prince and the little nursemaid to save her. Problem is, despite the prince being terrifically magical, he’s still just a baby– How’s he supposed to help? The nursemaid might be the answer to that, since she has a tiny sliver of fairy magic… Magic that’s only supposed to make her useful, as a helper for the prince or a substitute for his sister in the curse. But the nursemaid also has her wits, heaps of determination, and love for the baby prince, so there’s hope for a happily ever after yet.

This one’s got talking animals and mouse politics. Not to the extent that Redwall does. Still, who doesn’t enjoy mouse politics? They’re mostly about food, I promise, and everybody likes food.