We chat with debut author Markelle Grabo about Call Forth A Fox, which is a sapphic twist on the classic fairy tale Snow White and Rose Red!
Hi, Markelle! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I love to retell fairy tales, especially ones that frustrate me or are lesser-known. When I’m not writing, I’m usually experiencing stories some other way (through books, television, movies, podcasts, video games, etc), hiking, or going on food adventures. I love tea, renaissance faires, and exploring big cities. I’m a communications specialist for my 9-5, and I live in the Greater Chicago area with my partner and two fluffy cats, Matcha and Kava.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I’ve always loved stories, but I decided I wanted to be a writer in 5th grade after I realized my squeamish nature wouldn’t lend itself well to a career in Marine Biology. That’s also around the time I wrote my first “novel” – a 90-page story about very dramatic mermaids.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: The Animal Ark Series, especially Bunnies in the Bathroom and Hedgehogs in the Hall!
- The one that made you want to become an author: Fire Bringer by David Clement-Davies. He made me care about the lives of deer more than I ever thought I could! I want to write characters that readers care about that much.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater. It’s the kind of storytelling I will always aspire to.
Your debut novel, Call Forth a Fox, is out April 2nd! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Cozy sapphic fairy tale retelling.
What can readers expect?
Readers can expect a unique twist on a classic fairy tale, along with a majority queer cast of characters, teens realizing the complexities of growing up and making their own choices, faerie magic and adventure, sweet sapphic romance, found family and a close-knit sister relationship, lots of cozy food and tea descriptions, and an atmospheric winter setting.
Where did the inspiration for Call Forth a Fox come from?
Call Forth a Fox was my first attempt at writing a fairy tale retelling. I wanted a story I didn’t grow up with to avoid any nostalgic influence, and when I first read “Snow White and Rose Red,” I knew it was the tale I needed to retell. The queer subtext surrounding animal transformation is very compelling, as well as Rose Red’s “wildness” compared to her sister. I’m also frustrated by the overwhelmingly heteronormative ending. Snow White marries the bear/prince, which is fine, but Rose Red marries the prince’s brother – a character we never meet! Almost like the ending has to prove the story can’t be queer.
This blend of intrigue and frustration got me started on the plot, but my main character’s internal journal was inspired by events in my life. I wrote the first draft of Call Forth a Fox right after I moved from my home state of Wisconsin to Southern California. Then, years later, I finished edits just as I was moving from Southern California to Illinois. So a lot of Ro’s conflicted feelings about not wanting to leave a place she loves but also recognizing it might be time for something new come directly from my own experiences.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing a protagonist who is fifteen. When I started reading YA as a teen, I remember more protagonists were around that age. These days, most YA protagonists are 17 and up. Stories that depict older teen experiences are wonderful and necessary, of course, but so are ones for younger teens, and I’d love to see more of a balance reflected across the YA category.
I also enjoyed writing a character who resists violence. Ro has curses to break, but she’s trying to do that without anyone getting hurt. This means taking the harder path at times, and even confronting her own actions and behaviors because there are forms of violence that aren’t obvious at first glance.
This is your debut published novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
An early version of Call Forth a Fox was my thesis for my master’s in writing for children and young adults program at Hamline University. After I graduated in 2018, I started querying, and during that period I revised the manuscript to be in first person rather than third. One of my graduate advisors, Anne Ursu, was instrumental in helping me find the right agents to query, and I found my perfect match in Tricia Lawrence of Erin Murphy Literary Agency in early 2021. We were on submission for a while, but if there’s one thing publishing teaches you, it’s patience! Near the end of 2022, I got the offer from Lauren Knowles at Page Street YA, so it’s been a long road, but I wouldn’t change any of it. Call Forth a Fox is the story it’s meant to be because of this experience.
What’s next for you?
I’ve got one fairy tale retelling on submission, another waiting to be revised, and a third that I’m drafting now, so we’ll see where publishing takes me!
Lastly, are there any book releases that you’re looking forward to picking up this year?
In the YA space, I can’t wait for The Girl with No Reflection, a fantasy by fellow debut author Keshe Chow, and The Brightness Between Us, the sequel to Eliot Schrefer’s absolutely riveting The Darkness Outside Us. I’m also excited to read my friend Kalena Miller’s next middle grade, South of Somewhere, which publishes the same week as Call Forth a Fox!
