We chat with author Heather Spellman about Two’s A Charm, which is a bookish cosy fantasy about two witches uncovering dark magic in a small town, for fans of Emily Grimoire and Erin Sterling.
Hi, Heather! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Sure! I’m an Aussie writer living in sunny Palm Springs, California (although really I mostly live inside my own head). I’m drawn to fantastical, whimsical stories about people trying to do right by each other, and love to incorporate magic, mysteries and cute animals into my work.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
Very early on. I’ve always been an avid reader, and was fortunate enough to have a library at the end of my street growing up. Once I realized that being a writer was a real possibility, nothing could stop me! I love storytelling in all formats and have dabbled in everything from children’s books to animation writing.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Meg and Mog!
- The one that made you want to become an author: Howl’s Moving Castle
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Piranesi
Your novel, Two’s A Charm, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Wicked meets Gilmore Girls (and Daria). Is six words okay?
What can readers expect?
Two’s a Charm is a cosy romantasy about two sisters – bookish librarian Effie and social butterfly and new bar owner Bonnie – who are struggling to come together in the wake of their mother’s death. When their grifter Uncle Oswald offers Bonnie an opportunity to make some quick cash for her business via bespelled drinks, Bonnie leaps at the chance, but soon realises that the drinks are causing some serious side effects. Bonnie and Effie need to set aside their differences (and their pride!) to get things back on track before the whole town is affected.
Where did the inspiration for Two’s A Charm come from?
It came from a “what if” conversation with my editor. What if Wicked were about two witchy sisters? And what if they lived right here in our backyard? The story has several nods to The Wizard of Oz and Wicked, and I had an absolute blast creating the world, the twin arcs of the Chalmers sisters, and the endearing cast of supporting characters. I always feel that magic is all around us, and hopefully readers get that same sense reading this book!
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I find that themes and motifs really start to surface themselves as you craft subplots and secondary characters, and this was definitely the case in Two’s a Charm. As the story developed, I found myself exploring the idea of all the different ways we can love, the ways that communities come together, the different ways we can have magic, and what it means to be a good friend. In terms of characters, Effie’s best friend Tessa was really fun to write – I could definitely see her leading a story of her own!
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
I had a really tight deadline for this one, so I had to be very diligent in how I spent my time and in how I plotted out the story. Word by word, subplot by subplot, I got there! I also wanted to make sure that both Bonnie and Effie felt very different and very flawed – but that we could empathize with their perspectives and the way that they approach love, work, family and community. Secondary characters can really help to balance character flaws by giving you a chance to show a different side of a character – I definitely leaned a lot on the townsfolk and the sisters’ friends to show how kind and loving each sister really is at heart.
What’s next for you?
My second book, Cruel Summerween, comes out in the UK in July 2026, and in the US in July 2027. It’s about chronically indecisive sportswriter Molly, who vacations every year with her family friends in the magical town of Whisperwind Cove. But this year, there’s magic – and romance – in the air, and she finds herself needing to make the biggest decision of her life before the spells she’s been weaving all come crashing down around her.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
I recently read Strange Lights by Mira Gonzalez, which comes out later this year and is a brilliant, wild ride! Highly recommended. Other fab recent reads this year include The Divorcees by Rowan Beaird, For Human Use by Sarah G Pierce, and The September House by Carissa Orlando (I’m late to the party on this one, but it’s great!)
