Semester
Spring
Date of Graduation
2026
Document Type
MFA Creative Writing Thesis (Campus Access)
Degree Type
MFA
College
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Department
English
Committee Chair
Mark Brazaitis
Committee Member
Rose Casey
Committee Member
Jenny Johnson
Abstract
In this thesis you will find the titular novella, The Blacksmith’s Daughter, which follows two young women growing up in a medieval West Virginian town. From different sides of privilege, they face the trials of becoming their own person. The novella intends to combine the coal towns of West Virginia history with medieval history and fantasy, in an effort to showcase how easily (and pointedly) they can be melded together. Other short stories include mermaids, ghostly sisters, vengeful animals, and mad pirates. The stories included aim to bring about the feel of sitting around a campfire, or coming up to a porch, and sharing wondrous tales. While Appalachia may not be explicitly on the page in every story; the mountains, hills, trees, and peoples of the author’s home state of West Virginia can be felt throughout.
Recommended Citation
Fox, John Michael, "The Blacksmith's Daughter (And Other Fairy Tales)" (2026). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 13331.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/13331