Be One with Your Fringe

 

The dictionary defines "fringe" as the outer edges, not partof the mainstream, unconventional.

You may remember that I write a blend of historical fantasyand American fantasy, a fusion of the legendary that captures the Americanidentity with a unique form of fantasy to capture the forgotten times andpersonalities of American history. So it’s not uncommon to come across -- what some may consider mundane --  historical elements.

Take the definition of fringe. Fringe is also a hairstyle once thought so unconventional that religious orders declared it unsuitable for women.A century or two ago, people started cutting their ponytails “bang-off”—as inabruptly and bluntly straight across. These pony tails, a trend for stylinghorse’s tails, were called “bang-tail”. In fact, in some areas, the term “bang-tail”is still used.  In time, it became knownas “bangs” in the US. The UK still calls them fringe.

But fringe has been around since ancient times.  According to myth, the unconventional Egyptianqueen Cleopatra wore fringe. The ninth-century Iraqi-Spanish musician and Renaissance mannamed Ziryab was a cultural and fashion influencer, making fringes popular in Europe. Joan of Arc was believed to have worn short,straight-edged fringe.

And everyone knows that during the Roaring Twenties, womendefied convention with all kinds of new fashion and beauty looks—including theblunt, fringed cuts of famous flappers like Louise Baker. Lucille Ball,Betty Page and other Hollywood stars made “bumper bangs” the big trend of the1930s and 1940s.

You may remember I recently sold by newest American fantasyblend to Eileen Robinson and Charlesbridge Moves Books, due out in Spring 2026.This contract helped me find an agent. Eileen challenged me to write somethingnew, something in horror fiction, and I decided to go with the unconventional:a blend of American fantasy and monster horror.  I also continued to write American historical,focusing on forgotten, dare I say unconventional, heroes. As it turns out, thisagent wasn’t interested. They ghosted me for two years, not replying to queriesand not following through with suggestions. In the end, their reasoning wasthey didn’t know where my writing fits, so we parted ways.

And therein lies the lesson for all this fringe talk. Youneed to write the story you need to write. Not everyone will get it. What happens next – whether it finds an agent, is published or is ever read by anyone – is out of your control. But someday, you never know, you'll find someone that appreciates your fringe on things.

So I came up with a new plan of action. Not only am I nearfinished with my horror/American fantasy blend, I am also well into revisionsfor a new book, an American historical fantasy blended with ecological mystery.My plan is to put together a submission to agents by November.  

Because in the end, it’s always best to be one with yourfringe.

Thank you for reading!--Bobbi  Miller
Note about the image: meme created by Facebook group, Love Scotland, owned and operated by Love to Visit LLC.