A Ceiling Made of Eggshells is powerful. Thank you for writing this important story. I see the release date - May 2020 - and how it coincides with the Covid pandemic as the plague creates pain and death in the beginning of the story. The atrocities of the attacks on October 7, 2023 feel present as persecution unfolds in the story. Obviously, you could not have known the timing of events to come in this world as you retold events of the past, however you can take credit for sharing the truth through art. Beautifully done.
I was 12 or 13 when I was transported by your words into Ella’s world. I remember that it was only when I had finished the book did I realize it had been a Cinderella story. I was embarrassed, like, “Duh! It’s even titled Ella!” But I chalk it up to this: I didn’t need to know it was a Cinderella story because I was wrapped up in Ella’s life, a clever and disguised retelling. I am 40 now and I just finished reading your most recent story. Now, I am eage to read everything between the bookends.
Thank you for lifting me out of this world chapter by chapter. Thank you for honoring your artistic giftedness in writing. -Cara

Dear Gail,

I was putting together show notes tonight for a podcast I was recently on, and wrote "We all owe Gail Carson Levine so, so much." And I thought about that long enough to find myself here on your website. Thank you for retelling fairy tales. Thank you for teaching all of us in our formative years how important these stories are. Thank you for adding to our understanding of these tales. Thank you for giving us permission to explore them and engage with them in deep and meaningful ways.

I retell fairy tales. I like the obscure ones, and my podcast host was aware of the fairy tale that I just retold in my latest novella, because she bought and read "The Fairy's Mistake" from a scholastic bookfair once upon a time. I did not get run out of my CP group this last summer, because another writer was familiar with "The Fairy's Mistake" and knew "Diamonds and Toads" was a story that had potential because you worked your magic.

I became a writer because I took a folklore class my last semester of University because I grew up loving fairy tales and your fairy tale retellings. _Ella Enchanted_ is one of the few books my reluctant reader enjoyed--and it only takes one book to turn everything around.

Thank you, Gail. Wishing you all the best.

XO,
Amy

Anya, I'm delighted ELLA meant so much to you! I think a lot of people are struggling right now. When you asked for advice, the idea that popped up is what I do: Imitate Mandy and do your own small good magic as much and as often as you can.

hi Gail. obviously ella enchanted was imprinted on my brain ever since i watched it as a 4 year old in moscow. you did an amazing job as an artist inspiring so many people around the world and because of the impact it had on me as a child i return back to it for answers. as a philosophy major i apologize in advance for my questions, but i find myself confused in life at this moment, and come to you for some kind of existential relief. how does one remain clear of the evil that surrounds us and stay inspired for a “better” future? i seem to be enchanted in all the wrong ways and taken advantage of constantly. i dont see myself as weak person but rather a servant of good will that keeps getting tricked. it almost seems like life wants me to turn evil in order to survive. if you do have any advice, even if its not practical, i would love to hear it.
thank you and may your light never fade!

My third grade teacher read Ella Enchanted to my class during storytime. I was absolutely enchanted, as it were. I looked forward to the next chapter every day. Later, a family friend who was a teacher allowed me to pick books here and there from the extras she had piled up in her garage. I ended up needing two copies of Ella Enchanted, because the first one got worn to shreds. I never got tired of reading it, and to this day, it's the book I've reread the most times by far. I wanted to be Ella badly. The classic illustration on the cover gazed back at me, reflecting the wisdom, humor and confidence of the girl within. Her highs and lows felt like mine because she felt like me. As I grew up, coincidentally, I cultivated an interest in foreign language and linguistics.

Ella was my nearest and dearest, but I also read and loved Fairest, Ever, The Two Princesses of Bamarre and The Princess Tales. Many years later, working in a bookstore, I nabbed an advance copy of Ogre Enchanted, pleased to see that you were still writing great books.

Thank you for bringing magic to little girls everywhere.