We chat with author Becky Jenkinson about Wildflower, which follows a magical florist who journeys from the kingdom’s capital to its wild woods to fulfill an unusual request, and stumbles upon friendship, conspiracy, and the buds of new love in this debut cozy fantasy.
Hi, Becky! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hello! I’m Becky and I’m from Manchester in the north of England. I live in Tokyo, Japan, where I spend most of my free time writing, playing video games, or visiting Tokyo Disneyland.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I’ve loved stories for as long as I can remember, going all the way back to watching VHS tapes of animated movies and staying up late to play on my Gameboy. I was an avid reader as a child, and had plenty of imaginative dreams off the back of whatever book I had on the go, but I remember writing my first stories when I was around eight or nine, scribbling endlessly in notebooks instead of going to sleep!
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: The Magic Faraway Tree – Enid Blyton
- The one that made you want to become an author: The Mediator series – Meg Cabot
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Assassin’s Apprentice – Robin Hobb
Your debut novel, Wildflower, is out June 16th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Magical cosy queer floral escapism!
What can readers expect?
They can expect quests for rare flowers ordered by an anonymous patron, a queer royal wedding, outcasts falling in love, new and old friendships redefining boundaries, and a nature-based magic system, all set in a queer normalised medieval-inspired kingdom. Also there’s two cats and a horse (the True Hero of the story).
Where did the inspiration for Wildflower come from?
My first “what if?” was considering the best friend of the characters who get their Happily Ever After in fairytales – like, if Cinderella had a best friend, how would that best friend feel about her sudden lifestyle change, and where would they fit in that new life? Fliss and Card’s relationship was the first foundational pillar of Wildflower, then I combined it with my interest in Victorian flower language, alongside designing my most perfect book boyfriend!
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I. Love. Will. Any scene with Will in was a delight to write. He flowed effortlessly onto the page, and interestingly, most of his dialogue that I wrote in the first draft stayed in without needing too many edits. He was simply that charming off the bat! I also really enjoyed writing any scene where Pigeon showed up. She never failed to make me laugh, no matter who she was interacting with.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Wildflower poured out of me on every day off I had, so it felt strangely easy most of the time – I sometimes felt as if I was waiting for the catch! Saying that, I remember taking a break in the middle of drafting to visit the UK for a few weeks, so I think that change of scenery and chance to fill up my creative tank was much needed, otherwise I’m sure I would have run out of steam. My usual go-to for any block is to go outside, do something fun that isn’t writing, and not force it. You never know when something will catch your eye and spark inspiration. A long phone call with one of my besties is also a huge help!
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
Fast! I sent off my queries armed with anecdotal knowledge that this journey typically takes a long time and with the expectation that I’d face rejection after rejection. However, my agent replied to my query in less than a day, and after signing on, we received an offer only a few months later (when I was spending a day at Tokyo Disneyland, actually – the place where dreams come true!). I feel very lucky and grateful to be in this position, and on the road to publication, I’ve gotten to know the most wonderful team of people who are as passionate about this book as I am. Sincerely, it’s given me the opportunity to live at my happiest and most fulfilled.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently editing my next book, which will be coming out in 2027. Although I have lived through the “book 2 is harder to write” experience, it’s been so much fun, and I can’t wait to share more about this adventure soon. Expect ancient myths, magical caves, and a sapphic romance that will have you blushing and kicking your feet.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
I’m looking forward to The Feywild Job by C. L. Polk also coming out in June. A D&D cosy fantasy romance heist sounds like an adventure I don’t want to miss!
Earlier this year, I read Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, and I am very excited for the movie adaptation later this year. The casting looks impeccable, and I’m sure I will be needing to take a whole pack of tissues to the cinema because I certainly cried a whole lot when reading it!
Thank you!
