Jubilee Cho has a new queer middle grade fairy tale out (Non-Binary, Poly, Trans MTF): Wishing Well, Wishing Well.
The five princesses of Bellarossa have lost their parents and must now abide under the control of the man responsible. But they have their art. They have each other. And still, they hold on to hope. They do what they can to ease the suffering of their kingdom under an unfeeling King and his cruel Admiral. But when a mysterious Renegade Mage arrives with powers of skill and magic, perhaps—perhaps, there is more that can be done.
Note: Jubilee Cho, a 25-year-old trans woman, passed away before this book could be published. Atthis Arts published it in her honor, and royalties are going to Los Angeles-area efforts dedicated to directly supporting LGBTQIAP+ people in crisis.
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Excerpt
Alex flushed with pride. “I’m excited too. I can’t wait to tell everyone all about today. It’s the first thing I’m going to do when we get back to the palace.”
King Johannes chuckled, then leaned back in his seat. “Well . . . maybe not the first thing.”
“What do you mean?” Alex asked.
“Well,” said the king, his lips upturned and his eyes twinkling with merriment, “There’s still one more extra special task waiting for you when we get back to the palace. A surprise to cap off your first day of royal training.”
“What is it?” Alex asked, brimming with curiosity.
“Well,” the king began as his smile grew even wider. “When we get back to the palace, you are going to be learning how to conduct an offering ceremony at the Faerie Well. And the best way to learn is by conducting a practice ceremony yourself.”
Author Bio
Jubilee Cho (13 April 1998 – 06 March 2024) was a writer and dreamer, and the author of the upcoming middle grade fantasy novel Wishing Well, Wishing Well.
Cho grew up near Disneyland, enamored with stories of fantastical princesses. Yearning to see herself included in such tales, she wrote her own to help give new generations of children something she’d needed to create for herself. Cho planned a long writing career and wanted to use her platform to foster awareness about disability and mental health, and to share the beauty of trans joy with the world.
Author Kwame Mbalia who had reached out as a mentor says, “In the briefest of moments that I was able to interact with Jubilee, her desire to not only write, but to write for young readers about drawing upon their own identity and sharing that with others, was an inspiration. She is an inspiration, and her light is gone too soon, though its glow will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.”
Author E.D.E. Bell said, “Jubilee was a princess who wanted everyone to know that they too can be included in stories, in joy, in femininity, in Pride, in gathering, in any magic they desired. I hope children will find their own spirit in her lovely, hopeful story, and let it lift them to soar.”
Jubilee Cho lived 25 years.