We chat with author Jenn McKinlay about Witches of Dubious Origin, which follows a librarian who discovers she’s descended from a long line of powerful witches and she’ll need all of her bookish knowledge to harness her family’s magic.
Hi, Jenn! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! Yes, I’m a former librarian, having worked in libraries for decades. Reading is my happy place but I also love gardening, baking, and going on whatever adventure strikes my fancy. Presently, I’m into paddleboarding.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
When I was a kid, I found my mom’s old portable typewriter and I would craft a newspaper (essentially ratting out my siblings) for candy money. No regrets!
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S.
- The one that made you want to become an author: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Whatever book I just finished reading, presently it’s The Witching Moon Manor by Stacy Sivinski.
Your latest novel, Witches of Dubious Origin, is out October 28th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Magical. Bookish. Mysterious. Cozy. Whimsical.
What can readers expect?
It’s an adventure that involves loads of magic, undead Vikings, ghost pirates, enchanted grimoires, and a found family of witch-librarians that must defeat a dark witch or lose everything they hold dear, which is the special collection — the Books of Dubious Origin — in the Museum of Literature in New York City where they all work.
Where did the inspiration for Witches of Dubious Origin come from?
Being a librarian and a book lover, I’ve always believed that books could be sentient beings so I leaned into that sentiment to craft this story. Truly, it’s all about the books and the librarians who care for them.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Researching magic and the history of witches proved to be truly fascinating. I loved it.
This is your first foray into fantasy! Did your writing approach change at all from your previous novels?
Great question! Yes! There are very definitive rules for mysteries and romance, but in fantasy it was a shift into if I could imagine it, I could write it. Incredibly liberating and fun and a bit scary.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Not really. I write so many books per year that I simply don’t have time for writer’s block. If I didn’t love crafting stories on the daily, I wouldn’t do it.
What’s next for you?
Presently, I’m finishing book two in the Books of Dubious Origin series, tentatively titled Witches of Questionable Intent and then I’ll shift to writing my next romcom, which is a follow up to next spring’s The Summer Share.
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page (comes out next year) and more recently Love’s a Witch by Tricia O’Malley.
Thanks so much for inviting me today!
