We chat with author Stacy Sivinski about The Crescent Moon Tearoom, which follows three clairvoyant sisters who face an unexpected twist of Fate at the bottom of their own delicate porcelain cups.
Hi, Stacy! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Of course! I’m an academic turned novelist with a PhD in English from the University of Notre Dame. In my research, I explore 19th-century women’s writing, regional fairy tales, and food studies. I’m originally from Appalachia, but I’ve lived in the Midwest for quite some time now. When I’m not writing stories about witches, you can find me crocheting on the porch alongside my two cats.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I fell in love with writing stories when I was in the third grade and found an old typewriter at a yard sale for $2.00. My parents bought a new ribbon for the machine, and all the tales that I’d been weaving together in my head now had a place to land on the page.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
First Book- Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans. I was instantly enchanted by the beautiful simplicity of the drawings and Madeline’s spark for life.
The Book That Made Me Desire of Becoming an Author- The Awakening by Kate Chopin. I remember reading this one and thinking that the texture of the words felt like watching brandy being poured from a crystal decanter. After that, I knew that I wanted to write something that could have a similar effect on readers.
The Book I Cannot Ever Stop Thinking About- Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. My mind is always drifting back to this magical gem of a book.
Your debut novel, The Crescent Moon Tearoom, is out October 1! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Everything you love about autumn.
What can readers expect?
Readers can expect to find an enchanting story about three sisters who need to break a curse while helping other witches discover their destinies. Though the world I’ve crafted is certainly magical, it’s grounded in places and experiences that readers will find familiar, making it a great pick for anyone who hasn’t read a lot of fantasy before. It’s also brimming over with cozy descriptions of the characters in their enchanted tea shop, so if you’ve ever wanted to live in the Practical Magic house, this one is definitely for you.
Where did the inspiration for The Crescent Moon Tearoom come from?
The initial idea for the book came to me during a trip to New Orleans. The year before, I’d started reading tarot cards, so I wanted to learn more about other types of fortune telling practices. New Orleans has one of the oldest fortune telling tearooms in the United States, an establishment in the French Quarter called Bottom of the Cup. When I went to get my leaves read there, I asked the person working at the counter to tell me about the history of the shop, and he said that it was originally founded by a pair of sisters-in-law in the 1920s. Another customer came up to ask him a question then, so I went to my seat to wait my turn. But as I walked away, I thought, “But what if they were witches, and what if the shop was enchanted?” And it wasn’t long before an entire story started to take shape.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I enjoyed writing about all the Quigley sisters, but I found myself particularly invested in the scenes with Beatrix. She’s an aspiring writer who’s discovering her voice on the page and going through all the emotions that come along with trying to find the confidence you need as an author. A lot of my own experiences with writing went into the moments when Beatrix is working on her own story, and some of my absolute favorite lines can be found in the moments when she’s thinking about her love for the craft.
What are some of the key lessons you have learned when it comes to writing and the publishing world?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that you need to anchor yourself in writing through a daily ritual. As the publication process rolls along and you start juggling multiple tasks and projects, it’s important to take some time to ease into writing, distancing yourself from distractions so that you can become immersed in the world you’re threading together. For me, this means brewing tea and listening to the water boil as I begin to think about the chapter I intend to write. Then, I follow my cat to the office, and as the water cools enough for me to take my first sip, I sit in silence and just think about the story ahead. Taking that little bit of time to unplug from my to-do list and become grounded in my writing for the day has grown more essential as I’ve gotten further along in the publishing process.
What’s next for you?
Book 2! I’m finishing up my next novel as we speak. The details of the story have to stay a secret for just a bit longer, but if you follow me on social media, you’ll start to see some hints about what’s to come.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
Always! If you’re looking for more cozy witchy books, check out Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen, The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton, and Deja Brew by Celestine Martin.
