We chat with author Elizabeth Everett about Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel, which sees a magical hotel appear smack-dab in the middle of the most unmagical of worlds and the last thing the residents expect is to fall in love.
Hi, Elizabeth! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I am best known for my historical romances featuring women scientists. I enjoy third-grade humour, cherry pie, and advocating for reproductive rights.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I have always loved reading but didn’t consider writing until my kids were grown-ish and I ran out of books to read! I thought, how hard could it be to write a book . . . and here we are. (Turns out it’s pretty hard.)
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott
- The one that made you want to become an author: Perils of Pleasure by Julie Ann Long
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell
Your latest novel, Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Cozy, Goofy, Sweet, Genuine, Donuts
What can readers expect?
Donuts.
Just kidding. Magic and Mischief is a cozy romantasy that reads like a hug. I describe it as Buffy meets Friends (without the angst) featuring a sentient hotel, a gentle romance, a ridiculous amount of quirky side characters, and the occasional pearl of wisdom from a four-year-old boy.
Where did the inspiration for Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel come from?
M&M is inspired by the community that surrounded my own single mother when she was raising myself and my siblings. It is an homage to found family and the importance of building community, especially right now.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I enjoyed putting my own personal spin on archetypes like faeries, gnomes, vampires, and zombies.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
After having written five books set in 1840’s England, it was a challenge to write in contemporary language. On the other hand, it was a pleasure to simply put people on buses or in pants as opposed to researching whether they would be riding in a hansom/cabriolet/barouche/carriage/phaeton with two/four/six horses, etc. etc.
What’s next for you?
There is another book in the Wayside Chronicles coming next year so I get to write even more about important topics like donuts and faery cheerleaders.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
I am excited to read H.M .Long’s ENTWINED, the first book in a Gilded Age fantasy duology.
