KINGSTON, R.I. – October 30 – Alum Liz Gotauco, also known on TikTok as Cosbrarian (with over 500,000 followers), knows a thing or two about storytelling. She is a librarian, author, and performer originally from the Ocean State, with deep ties to the URI community. Gotauco earned her B.F.A. in theatre, with a concentration in acting and costuming, in 2004, and her M.L.I.S. in library and information sciences in 2010. 

Gotauco’s first book, F*cked Up Fairy Tales, published by W. W. Norton & Company, debuted on October 7, 2025. Inspired by her wildly popular web series, seen on TikTok and YouTube, F*cked Up Fairy Tales presents modern retellings of the strangest and darkest stories that humans have retold for centuries. The stories explore timeless themes that confront complex adult issues that Disney versions have often sanitized. 

Initially, her online persona, Cosbrarian, was born out of a love for costuming and cosplay. What started as an Instagram account for fun and a connection with fellow cosplayers morphed into something bigger during the 2019 pandemic. Gotauco began what she coined “Quarantine Cosplay,” where she would make Disney princess costumes out of towels and turn wigs into sweaters. She loved that she made people laugh in a dark time.

“I had developed a presence on TikTok, but things really exploded when I randomly decided to share my favorite messed up fairytale, Allerleirauh. I told the story with a sense of humor, and my audience of librarians and nerds absolutely loved it,” says Gotauco. “It was fun because it started to pull all of my interests together: telling stories, sketch comedy, and costume making.” 

When Gotauco was an undergraduate student at URI, she entered the theatre department as an actor. Her interest in costumes was strongly encouraged by faculty member and designer David Howard, whom she went on to assist in designing costumes for several shows. Post-graduation, she found work as an artist locally, but was eager to find a path that could support her holistically. 

“I always thought about library studies, dating back to high school,” says Gotauco. “Then I started to think about what I like about theatre and how I can transfer that to another job. I realized I loved working with kids, researching, and reading, and have always been a huge supporter of public libraries–even through college.” 

Gotauco secured a job at the North Providence Public Library right before she enrolled in the URI online M.L.I.S program. After receiving her graduate degree, she moved around New England, working in various libraries, often with teens and children. As of 2016, she runs the children’s department at the Cumberland Public Library, where she is responsible for book purchasing, event planning, community outreach, and leading book clubs. 

As her F*cked Up Fairy Tales series continued to grow, Gotauco began making connections with authors and folklorists in the digital community. Author, illustrator, and self-described fairytale detective, Pete Jordi Wood, became a huge supporter and encouraged her to turn her series into a book. 

“It was a mix of luck and my large TikTok following, but the book quickly became a reality. I am in the middle of the Northeast tour, although I’d love to do a national tour because I have followers all over the place!” says Gotauco. “I also love this book because my sister, Jade, illustrated it inspired by her scrimsaw work.” 

When reflecting on why her content resonates with so many people, several factors come into play. Generally, many people perceive fairy tales as a medium for children. In reality, folklore and storytelling have always been part of the fabric of humanity as a means to impart wisdom, foster morals, and form connections. During the pandemic, when most people were stuck at home, there was a desperation for connection. Gotauco’s F*cked Up Fairy Tales provided a balm. 

Historically speaking, fairy tales tend to emerge when humanity needs them most. Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron, written during the Black Death in the fourteenth century, follows ten Florentines who escape to the countryside and entertain themselves by telling stories. In the eighteenth century, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm’s response to Napoleon’s takeover of Germany resulted in the iconic Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales. COVID-19 saw a similar trend. 

“Almost all of these storytellers I admire latch onto these stories during a time of strife. Every time we’re stuck, fairytales come to the rescue!’ says Gotauco.

“F*cked Up Fairy Tales” by Liz Gotauco is available for purchase.