Hi, Sophie! Welcome back! How has the past two years been since we last spoke?

Hi, it’s nice to chat with you again. The last two years have been great. Quite busy working on new stories, when at the same time settling down in a new city and  learning new habits.

Moving with a family is always a process!

Spell of a Time is the fourth installment in your Witches of Brooklyn series and it’s out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Oh! Tough one. Let’s see… Witches – Mermaids – Love story – time travel – Coney Island.

What can readers expect?

The readers can expect to be reunited with the whole crew of Witches, but Effie and Garance are really leading the show in Spell of a Time. These two are a formidable pair now.

In this new story they’re teaming up to save a mermaid stuck in time. Through it Effie will learn to master her new abilities that her encounter with the dragon in the previous book had created, and she’ll also discover that she has some combat magic abilities…

I bring the whole crew to Coney Island, one of my beloved spots in Brooklyn and take advantage of the new cast of characters to visit the famous Mermaid Parade!

You’ll love it!

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or illustrating in this installment?

Becky was a delight to draw. I had a LOT of fun with this fiery mermaid. The scene when Effie goes to her to have her fortune told, (as all witches 12 years of age must do), was a real pleasure to sketch.

And of course, Professor Sir, the pizza lover turtle was hilarious to draw. I’ve always had a fondness for turtles since I’m very little, and I’m happy I was able to give life to one in the Witches of Brooklyn circle.

What medium, tools, and programs do you work with?

I first draw the entire story with blue pencils on paper. I kind of need to be able to surround myself with the pages, move them around… and it’s also very rewarding to see a stack of paper going up, and the book taking form physically under your eyes.

I then scan everything and ink and color using Procreate on an Ipad Pro and Photoshop.

What’s your process when it comes to writing and illustrating a graphic novel?

I’m not sure if this is great advice but I don’t usually start the writing by the hard part but rather by the fun parts. I let myself imagine scenes and dialogues with my characters. See where it goes, no constraint. And some story ideas usually come out of it.

When I have a couple of scenes I like, scenes that make me laugh or that have “un je ne sais quoi” interesting, then I start  throwing bridges to link these scenes together. That structure is what will effectively create a story with a beginning, middle and end.

When the synopsis is written and approved by my editor I launch myself in the laying out and sketching right away. I don’t take scenes apart or write every single dialogue beforehand. I like to keep some surprises for myself.

What’s next for you?

I’m actually finishing a new book, a ghost story that I’ve had in my drawers for some time.

It was hard at first to part with the Witches of Brooklyn but I really enjoyed working on something new that takes place in Montreal. I spent a lot of time at my local library reading and learning about Montreal, that was really interesting.  It was a great way to discover the city I now call home.

Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?

Sure! The last Mason Mooney by the awesome Searra Miller is out, she also has a new graphic novel called “Out there” that I highly recommend.

I really enjoyed the “Moth Keeper” by K. O’Neil

It came out a couple years ago already, but “Snapdragon” by Kat Leyh is amazing.

Everything by Jene Wang is fabulous. She’s so talented.

Lucy Knisley’s new series Stepping Stones and Apple crush is so good.

Finally I have to name some Quebecois artists, it is for an audience a bit older, but I fell in love with Secret passage by Axelle Lenoir (her series What if we were is also incredible and hilarious). Utown, by the amazingly talented Cab is a must read.

Will you be picking up Spell of a Time? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Sophie Escabasse, Author and Illustrator of ‘Spell of a Time’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

We chat with author and illustrator Sophie Escabasse about her latest release, Witches of Brooklyn: What The Hex?!, along with book recommendations, writing, and more!

Hi, Sophie! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Hello everyone! My name is Sophie Escabasse, I’m an author/ illustrator and a mom. I was born in France, but I have lived in the States for a while and I just recently relocated to Montreal, Canada. The stories I love the most are the ones that mix magic and reality and have funny characters. I’ve been passionate about graphic novels and witches since I’m a kid and I feel very lucky that my work today includes both.

Witch fact: My eyes go from grey, to blue, to green depending on the light.

SO not a witch fact: I’m terrified of spiders (but I’m working at it).

When did you first discover your love for writing?

In my case, writing and illustrating are 2 things that exist together. Drawing has always been my way to share stories and I’ve been doing so since a very young age. I loved making up characters and giving them a voice. It’s probably with my sister, as a kid, that I discovered how amazing it was to twirl and knit your imagination into stories and share it with others.

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!

Aaaah!! I’m bad at these! Okay, so the first book I remember reading: Yakari, a Graphic novel by Derib and Job. The book that made me want to be an author: the first thing that comes to mind isn’t a book but a series–The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. A book I can’t stop thinking about: Home Going by Yaa Gyasi.

Your new novel Witches of Brooklyn: What The Hex?! is out September 7th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

• Magic
• Friendship
• Statues
• Challenge
• Peacemaking

What can readers expect?

In What the Hex?! readers can expect a lot more witches! It will be eye opening for Effie to be introduced to her aunt’s friends and coven. The new cast of characters will bring big surprises as well as serious challenges to Effie, and she’ll have to learn to keep her fiery temper in check! More than ever, it is a book about friendship and learning to know yourself. Another feel-good book set in a snowy Brooklyn.

Can you tell us about any challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?

I find it hard to simplify things. My first drafts are often very dense, and there’s tons and tons happening. Being able to share my ideas with my agent and my editor helps me a lot. I’m very grateful for their guidance.

Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring in the sequel?

Lion’s big reveal is a moment I really like. It was very exciting to finally draw that scene, because I’ve had it in my mind for a very long time. I hope the readers will enjoy it as much as I had fun planning it. I also introduce several older witches in What the Hex and I’m especially fond of Aunt Ma and Sissi.

What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?

Now that you ask, I haven’t received a lot of writing advice, maybe I should seek some!

What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on the third book of the series, coloring away! I am also brewing more projects in my cauldron but it’s a bit too early to share (but it will be tasty!)

Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?

• The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
• In Real Life by Cory Doctorow and illustrated by Jen Wang
• Castle Waiting by Linda Medley
• Brazen by Penelope Bagieux
• Space Dumpling by Craig Thompson
• March, the trilogy by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, illustrated by Nate Powell
• And so many, many more…

Will you be picking up Witches of Brooklyn: What The Hex?! Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Sophie Escabasse, Author of ‘Witches of Brooklyn: What The Hex?!’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The Witches of Brooklyn is a graphic novel by French-American author Sophie Escabasse and follows 12-year-old Effie, who is forced to live with her Aunts in Brooklyn, following the death of her mother. Effie doesn’t know her Aunts and must adjust to life without her mother in a new house, a new school, and with her weird, old Aunties.

Then, without warning in the middle of the night, Tilly Shoo, famous singer and Effie’s idol, appears at her Aunties door asking for help. Tilly’s entourage demand that Tilly’s mysterious illness be cured. Whilst helping her Aunties find a cure for the affliction, Effie discovers that her Aunties are witches.

This book really surprised me because since it’s a middle grade graphic novel, I was expecting a fun, upbeat book that wasn’t very deep. However, that wasn’t the case. I was shocked to discover that Escabasse used the graphic novel to actually talk about matters usually avoided in children’s books and she has done so in a very fun and sensitive way.

The graphic novel features LGBT+ characters: Effie’s Aunty, Selimene, has a female partner, Carlota. It never explicitly states that the two are a couple, however, it is obvious that they are a romantic couple. Escabasse presented Selimene and Carlota like she would a hetero couple. None of the other characters seem to mind and there was no mention of homophobia or homophobic comments. Escabasse normalised same sex relationships in The Witches of Brooklyn, which I loved because I think it’s important for contemporary novels aimed at younger audiences to portray same sex relationships as normal and in a positive light.

It also portrays grief and mentions dead parents, but this is not the focus. Effie’s mother has died, which is why she must live with her Aunties. While Effie tries to adjust to her new life she is, of course, also dealing with the grief of losing her mother. This doesn’t last longer than a few panels and this part has me torn. While I wish this part was expanded on further and the grief and missing her mother lasting longer than one night, I am aware that it is a children’s book and is suppose to be kept light and airy.

Other parts of the story I liked were the coloured depictions. They were vibrant and clear and also easy to follow. I never felt like I was lost with the action, or confused about what the characters were doing in each panel. I also liked the humour, brought by a certain sassy, comic relief character (who shall remain unnamed, so I don’t reveal spoilers), especially since it was more family humour than childish humour, which meant I could enjoy it as well.

Without a doubt, my favourite aspect of this book were the characters. I found the three main characters, Selimene, Carlota, and Effie to be well thought out and dynamic. For a short, children’s book, these characters had great depth. While, this story was more plot driven, these three characters keep you engaged and interested in the story. Each character was unique, however, Escabasse used just the right amount of complimentary traits between Carlota and Selimene to present a compatible couple.

Overall, I thought this book was really well written and beautifully drawn. It has everything going for it. A beautiful story with interesting, engaging characters and subtle messages perfect for children. I recommend this book for any and all young readers.

The Witches of Brooklyn is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of September 1st 2020.

Will you be picking up The Witches of Brooklyn? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

There’s a new witch in town! Life in Brooklyn takes a strange turn when Effie discovers MAGIC runs in the family.

A middle-grade graphic novel adventure filled with magical hjinks for fans of Phoebe and Her Unicorn and Making Friends .

Effie lost her mom.

Lost her home.

And now she has to live with two strange aunts who she’s never met before.

Life in Brooklyn takes a strange twist for Effie as she learns more about her family and herself. With new friends who will do whatever they can to be there for her, a cursed pop-star, and her new magically-inclined family — Effie’s life is about to get interesting.

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