We chat with debut author Devin Greenlee about Evergreen, which sees The Secret Garden gorgeously reimagined in this deliciously dreamy urban fairytale about a dryad who risks immortality for love.
Hi, Devin! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi everyone! My name is Devin Greenlee and I write queer paranormal romance. I’ve taught color guard for 14 years as a day job, but took a step back to be a clinician and judge. I currently work in a school library and I enjoy every second of it. I love video games, hate mashed potatoes, and have a ball python named Zero (Nightmare Before Christmas).
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
So I started writing when I was in seventh grade, but that got replaced with color guard once I got to high school. It was a great creative outlet. Then the pandemic happened, and I know for me personally, I felt empty when I couldn’t teach and create performances. I tried to fill the void by bingeing shows on Netflix, cooking (after Cloroxing all my groceries), and devouring every queer novel I could get my hands on. Admittedly, I enjoyed some better than others… but nonetheless, they inspired me to try my hand at writing my own.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Magic Treehouse books! I think we all remember and miss those Scholastic Book Fairs in our school libraries.
- The one that made you want to become an author: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. It’s such a comfort read.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer. The perfect blend of suspense, emotion, sci-fi, and romance.
Your debut novel, Evergreen, is out January 16th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Magical, sweet, gooey, snarky, and sharp.
What can readers expect?
They can expect to revisit those feelings they had with their first crush, but with a twist of fantasy—considering the main character is a magical creature.
Where did the inspiration for Evergreen come from?
The idea for Evergreen was pitched as Rapunzel being a magical gardener, but I wanted to take it a step further. I wanted him to be special, maybe even inhuman. So I did my research and settled on wood nymphs from Greek mythology. The interesting thing is that they’re all female, so I thought, ‘Why not twist it?’ That’s when I settled on making Quill the first male dryad to ever exist, only limited by a lack of magic. Throw in a queer romance with the boy next door, a heavy dose of sarcasm, and a need to find oneself… Evergreen was born.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I personally really enjoyed building the garden. A stunning forest full of legendary and one-of-a-kind plants, where even the more mundane flowers and fruits and vegetables have a magical spin. I tried to build a space where I’d love to live.
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
Relatively short in comparison to some authors, but not without its bumps. My first novel (now shelved) got over two hundred rejections. I submitted it to Entangled as a Hail Mary, only to have my editor reach back out the very next day. They loved my voice and style, but wasn’t a fan of the plot. They asked if I could write something new. I agreed, got to work on creating Evergreen with my editor guiding me, and eventually it reached the finish line. I then got my agent, Ramona Pina at Bookends. I essentially did everything backwards, but I feel so grateful for everyone who’s been in my corner for this entire process. I couldn’t have done it without them.
With it being the new year, have you set any resolutions or goals for 2024?
Yes! I’m working on a new novel for Entangled as we speak, to be announced soon. I’d love to take it to the next level and get working on a third.
What’s next for you?
Getting out into the world to meet the lovely people who have given my book a chance. I’ll be announcing events on my website soon, so if you’re in town or by a computer screen those nights, stop by to say hi!
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall. If you’re looking for a good time where you laugh out loud every other page, it’ll be right up your alley.
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