Hello there, everyone!

I am thrilled to be able to present you with an excerpt from the upcoming novel “THE WITCH’S APPRENTICE AND OTHER STORIES” by author Ekta R. Garg, as part of the author’s book tour with Women on Writing Blog Tours. I hope you will enjoy.

Question

When the tornado took Dorothy’s house to Oz, it landed on the Wicked Witch of the East and killed the witch instantly.

What was the witch doing in the road in the first place?

The Witch’s Apprentice

Do you remember the story about the house that fell on the Wicked Witch of the East? The one where the girl who came out of the house took the witch’s lovely silver shoes and went on her adventures down the road of yellow bricks? Well, enough time has passed that I believe I can confess.

It’s my fault the house fell on the witch in the first place.

She was there, in the middle of the road, because we were arguing. And we were arguing because I was asking—no, that’s not right. I was demanding to be freed from the Spell of Inhibition so I could complete my apprenticeship. The witch was the ruler of Munchkinland and the head of the High Council of Witches. Before my apprenticeship started, I had chosen her to be my mentor.

She was also my cousin.

We had been arguing about the completion of my apprenticeship, which required an act of altruism assigned to me by the High Council. Once I completed the task and the Council deemed it pure, proving I would only use my magic for good, the High Witches would lift the Spell of Inhibition that prevented the free use of magic for everything. After three years of training, I still hadn’t gotten used to the physical sensation of the spell; it made my skin itch in a way that made me want to shed it so I could emerge as a full-fledged witch.

For weeks, however, the High Council had ignored my repeated requests for a task. Anyone I asked referred me to someone else, and after the fourth or fifth request they all told me to speak to Cousin. When I got my chance on that day, in the middle of the road, I told Cousin in a firm voice that the time had come. I had proven myself and knew I was ready to practice magic as she did.

She began laughing in that cruel, high voice she had, and I knew. Even though the sound crushed my heart, in that moment I knew she had no intention of helping me. I thrust out my wand, ready to show her what I’d learned, fighting against the fiery sensation burning across my hand and wrist as the Spell of Inhibition warned against doing magic. In that moment, I heard a rushing sound, looked up, and saw the house. I jumped out of the way just before it…well, you know.

I assumed Cousin had also escaped, but then I looked back and saw her feet sticking out from under the house. My heart started fluttering faster than I could breathe. I scrambled to stand then ran back toward the tavern at the edge of the village where we had met to talk. A few munchkins walking past the tavern stared at me with curious looks, but I bypassed them completely, dove behind the squat building, and cast a spell on myself to transport me back to my cottage.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. In order to understand my tale, I’ll have to go back to the beginning so you’ll know properly how I ended up where I am now. So you’ll understand why running left me wracked by guilt…but also cradled by relief.

Ekta Garg’s

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WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR

OF

The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories

Tour Begins August 25

Book Summary

Have you ever wondered why Jack and Jill needed that pail of water in the first place? Or how Sleeping Beauty managed to prick her finger despite a royal order to destroy every spindle in the kingdom?

Fairy tales and nursery rhymes have given us some of the most iconic characters and images in storytelling; think Cinderella’s glass slipper or Jack’s oversized beanstalk. But what about the in-between moments? The ones that never made it to the page?

In this enchanting micro-collection of short stories, award-winning author Ekta R. Garg explores the untold scenes between the lines of some of our most loved tales. Find out what the Wicked Witch of the East was doing in the road before Dorothy’s house fell on her. Learn where Goldilocks came from. Meet the conmen who convinced the emperor he had new clothes and more.

Rediscover the wit, heart, and magic of the classics, and see them as you’ve never seen them before in The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories.

Purchase a copy of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories on Amazon. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.

About the Author

A Reviewer, Editor, Author, and Dreamer of stories and books, Ekta has worked in niche publishing since 2005—she’s written and edited about everything from healthcare to home improvement to Hindi films! Ekta judges writing contests, hosts writing workshops, and podcasts about great books and how to write them. She’s currently the Content Coordinator of Neighbors of SW Champaign, a hyper-local magazine focusing on and lifting up the Champaign, Illinois, community. Ekta’s award-winning holiday novella, The Truth About Elves, and her award-winning fairy tale for grown-ups, In the Heart of the Linden Wood, are available from Atmosphere Press.

Website: https://ektargarg.com

Blog: https://thewriteedge.wordpress.com

Instagram: @EktaRGarg

X.com: @EktaRGarg

Facebook: https://facebook.com/ReviewerEditorAuthorDreamer

Blog Tour Calendar

August 25 @ WOW! Women on Writing

Join us as we celebrate the launch of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg. Read an interview with the author and enter for a chance to win a copy of the book.

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

August 27 @ Chapter Break

Visit Julie’s blog for her review of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg.

https://chapterbreak.com

August 29 @ CK Sorens’ Instagram

Join Carrie for her review of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg.

https://instagram.com/ck_sorens

August 30 @ One Writer’s Journey

Visit Sue’s blog for an excerpt from The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg.

https://suebe.wordpress.com/

September 2 @ One Writer’s Journey

Stop by Sue’s blog again for her review of  The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg.

https://suebe.wordpress.com/

September 4 @ The Faerie Review

Join Lily for her review of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg. 

https://www.thefaeriereview.com

September 4 @ Knotty Needle

Visit Judy’s blog for a guest post by author Ekta Garg on how to set goals and actually keep them.

http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com

September 5 @ Chapter Break

Visit Julie’s blog again for a guest post by author Ekta Garg on how to choose the theme of your book…or let it choose you. You can also read her review of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories.

https://chapterbreak.net

September 5 @ All Things Writing

Caitrin interviews author Ekta Garg about her writing journey and short story collection The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories.

https://www.caitrincking.com/blog

September 7 @ What Is That Book About

Visit Michelle’s blog for an excerpt from The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg

https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com

September 7 @ Shoe’s Seeds and Stories

Visit Linda’s blog for her review of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg. 

https://lschuelerca.wordpress.com/

September 9 @ Words by Webb

Join Jodi for her response to our tour-themed prompt on what’s something in a fairy tale that she wished she saw more of.

https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog

September 10 @ A Wonderful World of Words

Visit Joy’s blog for her review of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg. 

https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/

September 12 @ Musings of a Literary Wanderer

Visit Angela’s blog for her review of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg. 

https://musingsofaliterarywanderer.blogspot.com/

September 12 @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog

Visit Anthony’s blog for an excerpt from The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg. 

https://www.authoranthonyavina.com

September 13 @ Chapter Break

Visit Julie’s blog for her response to our tour-themed prompt about her thoughts on why fairy tales still resonate with readers today.

https://chapterbreak.net

September 13 @ Boots Shoes and Fashion

Join Linda’s blog for her interview with Ekta Garg about her book The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories.

https://bootsshoesandfashion.com

September 14 @ Shoe’s Seeds and Stories

Visit Linda’s blog again for her response to our tour-themed prompt about what were some of her favorite fairy tales growing up.

https://lschuelerca.wordpress.com/

September 15 @ Beverley A. Baird’s blog

Visit Beverley for her review of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg.

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com

September 16 @ A Wonderful World of Words

Visit Joy’s blog again for an excerpt from The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories.

https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/

September 16 @ Words by Webb

Join Jodi for her review of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg.

https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog

September 16 @ CK Sorens Newsletter

Don’t miss Carrie’s feature of Ekta Garg’s The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories.

https://www.cksorens.com

September 17 @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog

Join Beverley again for a guest post by Ekta Garg on finding your voice as a writer.

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com

September 18 @ Knotty Needle

Visit Judy’s blog for her response to our tour-themed prompt about her thoughts on why fairy tales still resonate with readers today.

http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com

September 19 @ Beverley A. Baird’s blog

Visit Beverley again for her response to our tour-themed prompt on which fairy tale she would alter and how she would do it.

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com

September 20 @ Sarandipity’s

Visit Sara’s blog for her interview with author Ekta Garg about her book The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories.

https://sarandipitys.com/blog/

September 21 @ A Storybook World

Visit Deirdra’s blog for a guest post by Ekta Garg on using the word “perfect” to empower your writing.

https://www.astorybookworld.com/

September 21 @ Boys’ Mom Reads

Join Karen’s blog for her review of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg.

https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/

September 23 @ Sandy Kirby Quandt

Visit Sandy’s blog for her review of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg.

https://sandykirbyquandt.com/

September 24 @ Writer Advice

Visit B. Lynn Goodwin’s blog for a guest post by Ekta Garg on why she chose the hybrid publishing route.

https://www.writeradvice.com

September 24 @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog

Stop by Anthony’s blog for his review of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg.

https://www.authoranthonyavina.com

September 25 @ Knotty Needle

Stop by Judy’s blog again for her review of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg. 

http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com

September 26 @ Just Katherine

Visit Katherine’s blog for her review of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta Garg. You can also check out her response to our tour-themed prompt on what she hasn’t seen in a fairy tale that we wish we saw more of.

https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com

September 27 @ Jill Sheets’ Blog

Visit Jill’s blog again for her interview with author Ekta Garg about her book The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories.

https://jillsheets.blogspot.com/