Q: Libraries are beloved for their sense of community. Do you remember a time when your library made you feel like a part of something bigger?
A: When my children were babies, I made a regular habit of getting out to baby story time events at my local library. Third places are at a minimum these days, especially free or low cost and inclusive third spaces, but our local libraries have always gone out of their way to cultivate welcoming atmospheres families of all kinds.
Not only did it mean having a chance to be out with other parents and caregivers, sharing struggles and wisdom, but our library has and continues to introduce us to so many books we wouldn’t have known of otherwise, in subjects we wouldn’t think to read about.
Q: What role did libraries have in your writing process, if any, for A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart?
A: I am a bit of a book hoarder, but even so, the process of writing a book involves so much research (both in related non-fiction topics but also in finding comparison titles) that even I couldn’t justify hoarding all of them, so I was in and out of my library looking for books on subjects related to holiday lore from different worldwide traditions and other examples of non-standard holiday romance, as well as the general spectrum of witchy romance and cozy fiction.
Our libraries also occasionally host community write-ins, and I was able to take part in a few of those to get out and write in and with community, which was critical in getting this book written!
Q: We love that there is a magical element in A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart. What inspired you to add that to the story? Was it always going to be there?
A: I come at writing “fantastical holiday romance” from a background in writing the fantastical, so yes, definitely. I’d wanted to write a witchy romance for a long time, and it was the flash of inspiration to combine it with holiday romance that finally gave me a solid concept to sink my teeth into. They combined well to explore some thematics I’d been wanting to write as well.
Namely, the importance of community, and the intentional process of love, trust, hope, and joy. As well as the character thematics I wanted for my main character—like finding peace within complicated family dynamics, the importance of celebration and rest in resilience, and not allowing others to define who you are, or what you’re capable of, as well as growing more comfortable with mistakes as part of the process of growth. All of these played well into Rowan’s story of figuring out how she was best capable of helping her family, home, and coven against the seasonal threats, as well as being in a place to accept and trust the love Gavin offers.
Part of the reason I always write the fantastic is because I want to evoke a sense of wonder in what I write. Wonder makes the mind, and heart, receptive to what a story has to say, and is something I can’t help but work into whatever I do. Not to mention, focusing on the Pagan practice of Yule as the primary way my characters celebrate was a good vehicle for bringing in non-standard holiday celebrations and to broaden people’s minds & hearts to the possibilities of how we can celebrate the season.
Q: There’s nothing better than escaping into a holiday romance. What’s something you hope readers will take away from A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart?
A: That rest, connection and joy are part and parcel to resilience and the holidays are there to help remind us of that, and to carve out space to help us embrace it.
Rowan starts the novel resisting that idea—resisting the holidays, resisting relationships, resisting anything but the most “collapse into bed” sort of breaks from her work. Her work is important, both her day-to-day work in a non-profit that helps fight climate change and her efforts to save her hometown, but there has to be balance and the story helps Rowan find it—and also to grow to a place where she believes that she deserves it.
It’s good to have causes, but it isn’t okay to burn yourself out or deny yourself entirely for them. And we all deserve and need love, community, and connection. The holidays are designed to slow us down and give us the space and structure to remember and renew these parts of us.
Q: Do you have a favorite library memory? Either from writing A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart, or just browsing the shelves?
A: It did not take place at the library, but it was run by the library so I think it still counts! There’s a local convention here in Seattle called GeekGirlCon, which is kid and family focused, and King County Library system always shows up with the absolute best activities.
Last year, my daughter and I created a book quote shadow box with materials and instruction they provided, cut out with the tools they provide for the community in their Maker Space. They hadn’t anticipated the amount of interest there would be and so weren’t prepared with quite enough kits for the interested participants, but everyone paired and even trio-ed up to be sure that the entire line would get in and get to participate.
My daughter chose for us, “Angry mothers raise daughters fierce enough to fight wolves,” from The Empress of Salt and Fortune, and then we combined the quote with cut outs of mountains and wolves. We assembled it the light box under their tutelage, together with other lovers of books, and the whole thing had the energy you can expect from book lovers doing a bookish craft—quiet focus but with a bubbling undercurrent of excitement.
Also, much less of a story to this one, but I’ll honorable mention the fact my mom, brother, and I made our way through the entire archive of Elfquest together when I was a kid via our local library.
Q: If you could say one thing to librarians right now, what would it be?
A: Your role as the keepers and custodians of knowledge and story is sacred, and your role in our cultural vital—don’t let anyone ever make you doubt that.
