A Twistedly Tragic Tale
Start Date
23-4-2026 12:00 AM
Description
A Twistedly Tragic Tale is a historical, paranormal young adult novella about twin sisters, Jane and Lizzie, who have been magically trapped in the same body since birth. The story begins in a Chicago brothel in 1937, where Lizzie intends to steal a powerful sapphire to help her and her sister escape the life they’ve fallen into. A terrifying evening leads to a successful theft. With the help of their landlady and an Enchantlas, a magical guidebook, Jane and Lizzie flee the city. As they take the train south, their Enchantlas guides them toward the Legend of the Laurant, a goddess known for granting wishes and balancing the imbalanced. Not only do the girls fantasize about leading regular, normal solo lives, but Lizzie discovers she could never live without her sister, and Jane realizes she would do anything for her freedom. Anything. This is not a ‘happily ever after’ story; this is a twisted tale about the making of a villain. The presentation will include a short reading from the story and a discussion of the writing process, highlighting the importance of understanding villains and relating to YA readers.
Recommended Citation
Greenhalgh, Stephanie, "A Twistedly Tragic Tale" (2026). 2026 Student Academic Showcase. 26.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/src_2026/oral_presentation/1/26
A Twistedly Tragic Tale
A Twistedly Tragic Tale is a historical, paranormal young adult novella about twin sisters, Jane and Lizzie, who have been magically trapped in the same body since birth. The story begins in a Chicago brothel in 1937, where Lizzie intends to steal a powerful sapphire to help her and her sister escape the life they’ve fallen into. A terrifying evening leads to a successful theft. With the help of their landlady and an Enchantlas, a magical guidebook, Jane and Lizzie flee the city. As they take the train south, their Enchantlas guides them toward the Legend of the Laurant, a goddess known for granting wishes and balancing the imbalanced. Not only do the girls fantasize about leading regular, normal solo lives, but Lizzie discovers she could never live without her sister, and Jane realizes she would do anything for her freedom. Anything. This is not a ‘happily ever after’ story; this is a twisted tale about the making of a villain. The presentation will include a short reading from the story and a discussion of the writing process, highlighting the importance of understanding villains and relating to YA readers.