We chat with author Aamna Qureshi about her charming new cosy YA fantasy A Witch’s Guide to Love and Poison, which follows Bisma who knows three things to be true: the Enchanted Forest will always be her home, she would go to the ends of the Earth to protect her sisters, and Xander Chapman is the most irritating guy she’s ever met.
Hi, Aamna! Welcome back! How have the past four years been since we last spoke for your debut?
Hi! I am so happy to be back. The past four years have been a whirlwind in the very best way! I am truly incredibly blessed to be living the dream. I’ve been having so much fun writing so many different books across different genres and age groups!
Your latest novel, A Witch’s Guide to Love and Poison, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
cozy, sisters, romance, cottagecore, healing
What can readers expect?
Readers can expect a comforting tale of magic, sisterhood, and romance which is perfect for fans of the Emily Wilde series and Howl’s Moving Castle (both the book and the movie). It’s got garden-magic, bickering rivals, a found family of chaotic sisters, an enchanted forest, and a black cat gf x golden retriever bf pairing. I had so much fun writing this and I hope readers enjoy it as much as I did!
Where did the inspiration for A Witch’s Guide to Love and Poison come from?
I knew I wanted to write a cozy fantasy story that had elements of things I adored: magic, romance, sisters, an enchanted forest, and cottagecore vibes. However, the first spark for the actual story that came to me was the dynamic between Bisma and Xander. I wanted to write about a very prickly and overprotective eldest sister, who’s used to having the weight of the world on her shoulders, and juxtapose her with someone who was her opposite: a rich boy who’s never really had any troubles or responsibilities in his life. I wanted to explore how these two opposite characters could fall in love, and the rest of the story evolved around them.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I really enjoyed writing the scenes between all the sisters in the Enchanted Forest. I am very close with my own sister and my cousins, so I’m always inspired by my real life relationships when writing scenes such as those in a way that makes them so enjoyable. It feels like I’m capturing a small aspect of something I cherish deeply in my life and immortalizing it in my writing.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
I think the most difficult phase of writing for me is drafting the middle of books. I always know where to begin and where to end, but it’s that middle transitional phase that can be a bit difficult to get right. To overcome that, I honestly just have to push through and force myself to get something down on the paper, and then I can edit accordingly. It helps to have scenes that I’m really excited about writing – maybe a romantic scene or a funny scene between the sisters.
What a stunning cover! Can you tell us a bit about the vision and choices behind it?
Thank you! I am obsessed with it as well. The team did such a phenomenal job! We really wanted to maximize the cozy fantasy vibes, and the illustrator did an incredible job all around: all the little elements of the forest, plants, and creatures; the poison bottle; the lettering; the colors. Every bit is intentional and comes together perfectly, and the gold foil is truly amazing in person. It really feels magical
With this being your sixth novel over four years, what are some of the key lessons you’ve learned as an author?
As an author, it’s been important to challenge myself with different types of stories to stretch my creative muscles—that keeps me inspired and excited! For me, being enthusiastic is a vital part of being an author. You have to be your biggest champion. I think it’s also really important to first and foremost write a book that you are proud of and content with. Of course, not every book will be for everyone, but at the very least, you should be happy with your work.
What’s next for you?
The Baby Dragon Bakery is out on August 28 in the UK and September 2 in the US!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
There are so many! But I am particularly looking forward to: Behooved by M. Stevenson, Soulgazer by Maggie Rapier, Love Craves Cardamom by Aashna Avachat, and Cecily by Rebecca Carvalho (this isn’t out until 2026 but I’m hoping I can get an early copy hehe).
