Mary Paliescheskey

As a writer and artist, Mary Paliescheskey finds inspiration in the everyday magic of the world. There’s always a little of magic peeking around the corners, and she enjoys finding those hidden things. “Magic’s just science that we don’t understand yet.” Arthur C. Clarke illuminates her philosophy. From childhood, she’s told stories, creating plots for neighborhood play alternating Westerns with space dramas. (A rounded shrub made a perfect planet to orbit with the lawn furniture spaceship.) Writing speculative fiction was a natural evolution. Recently, she began researching her Slavic roots. Using her access to university libraries, she found a plethora of material that sparked her imagination. This research inspired her current work in progress and will be the first of many stories inspired by the myths of her heritage. Her research found 44 varied myths, folk heroes, gods, and goddesses whose stories speak to Mary and inspire fiction containing a touch of magic. Mary works full time for the University of California, Irvine. When not reading or writing, she finds expression in artistic pursuits. She is a ceramic artist, knitter, and chalk pastel artist. She lives in Southern California with her husband and sons. They enjoy the sun, pool, and cycling on the beach trails.

The Healer’s Stone

Nadia Kowalski snuggles closer to her husband, Josef, wrapping the wool blanket tight around them as her breath fogs the cold air. Traveling with all their possessions piled high on their cart has gotten harder as fall moves to winter, but now that a few months have passed with no pursuit from the authorities, they can use the better roads. Nadia watches the mules pull them through the puddles left by the rain. The slow movement and rhythmic clanking of the pots and pans lulls her to sleep.

Mary Paliescheskey

As a writer and artist, Mary Paliescheskey finds inspiration in the everyday magic of the world. There’s always a little of magic peeking around the corners, and she enjoys finding those hidden things. “Magic’s just science that we don’t understand yet.” Arthur C. Clarke illuminates her philosophy. From childhood, she’s told stories, creating plots for neighborhood play alternating Westerns with space dramas. (A rounded shrub made a perfect planet to orbit with the lawn furniture spaceship.) Writing speculative fiction was a natural evolution. Recently, she began researching her Slavic roots. Using her access to university libraries, she found a plethora of material that sparked her imagination. This research inspired her current work in progress and will be the first of many stories inspired by the myths of her heritage. Her research found 44 varied myths, folk heroes, gods, and goddesses whose stories speak to Mary and inspire fiction containing a touch of magic. Mary works full time for the University of California, Irvine. When not reading or writing, she finds expression in artistic pursuits. She is a ceramic artist, knitter, and chalk pastel artist. She lives in Southern California with her husband and sons. They enjoy the sun, pool, and cycling on the beach trails.

The Healer’s Stone

Nadia Kowalski snuggles closer to her husband, Josef, wrapping the wool blanket tight around them as her breath fogs the cold air. Traveling with all their possessions piled high on their cart has gotten harder as fall moves to winter, but now that a few months have passed with no pursuit from the authorities, they can use the better roads. Nadia watches the mules pull them through the puddles left by the rain. The slow movement and rhythmic clanking of the pots and pans lulls her to sleep.

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