We chat with author Paige Crutcher about A Circle of Uncommon Witches, which follows a witch generationally cursed to never find true love sets out to break the spell cast on her family, and must team up with the last person who wants to help her – the witch who set the curse in the first place.
Hi, Paige! Welcome back! It’s been a few years since we last spoke for your debut, what have you been up to?
Hi! Thanks for having me. I’ve been up to a lot of writing, chasing my children (they are fast!), forest bathing, bending my husbands ears about potential story ideas, publishing two novels after my debut with St. Martin’s Press (THE LOST WITCH, and WHAT BECAME OF MAGIC), and discovering a love of throwing on the wheel and watercolors. It’s been a busy few years!
Your latest novel, A Circle of Uncommon Witches, is out February 25th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
True Love is intoxicating magic.
What can readers expect?
ACOUW is a story of sisterhood, found family, the exploration of true love in its different forms, generational curses, and how family can show up in ways we least expect. There’s kissing, and magic, and witches who are bad asses.
Where did the inspiration for A Circle of Uncommon Witches come from?
Admiration for Scotland and its myths and folklore, as well as a few characters showing up and simply not leaving. I had to follow them and see where they went!
What was your process for planning out A Circle of Uncommon Witches?
I loosely plot, and then leave a whole lot of room to follow the characters. I find the magic of writing is in these fully formed (in my mind) people who just run a muck! There is also a lot of research involved, and it always informs inspiration and my ideas.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I love them all, but Margot and Doreen’s sisterhood was particularly special. I’m also a big fan of Ada’s, especially when she’s being creepy.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Oh yeah, the doubt every single time I sit down to write is huge. I can easily get in my head about if something works, or doesn’t, is fresh, or isn’t – I think imposter syndrome is easy to fall prey to. My inner critic is a total gremlin!
Who are your top three witches?
I think there’s a lot of power in a name, so I will invoke the queen of them all and say: Anne Rice, Anne Rice, Anne Rice.
What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned as an author and about the publishing world since your debut?
I spent a decade in the industry before I sold my debut, so I feel like I had a fairly good understanding of certain aspects of publishing. However, publishing is always changing. It’s a wild ride, and the components that don’t change for me are the people and the love of writing. I think that the people in this industry are some of the best. My writing friends are truly a life force for me. I love writing, and learning new things about the craft of it, and trying to level up and stay fresh in it. That’s the truest joy, especially when there are rejections, heartbreak, and pivots galore in the journey.
What’s next for you?
I’m writing something new, it’s a little bit of a pivot, and I absolutely love it.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
Gah, what a question! I am eager for new books by the following: JT Ellison, Ariel Lawhon, Lauren Thoman, Victoria Schwab, Ashley Blake, Helen Ellis, Patti Callahan Henry, Stephanie Perkins, Emilia Hart, Ava Morgyn and so so so many others.
