We chat with author Vanessa F. Penney about The Witch of Willow Sound, which is a feminist gothic tale with a tough-as-nails female protagonist who must find her elderly aunt, long suspected of being a witch.
Hi, Vanessa! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi, everyone! I was born in northern Newfoundland (way, way north) and grew up in rural Nova Scotia raised by families of fishers and miners. My background is in literature, libraries, archives, and human services. I love writing, reading, and deep, dark quiet (when I can find it). And I’m a big-time horror nerd and love books, movies, comics in and about the horror genre. I really appreciate all The Nerd Daily horror content, by the way. In spooky season, and all year long.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I’ve loved writing all my life. I have two brothers, and growing up I wrote things for them. When I was four, when my youngest brother was born, I wrote him a “user manual” for his new life: this is your mother; this is your father; this is where the cookies are. The important stuff. In grade two, I learned unicorns aren’t real and rather than accept that, I grabbed loose leaf and my chewed-up pencil and wrote a world where unicorns were real. That started my life-long love of escaping into fictional worlds. I haven’t been back much since!
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Aesop’s Fables. Or Old Witch and the Polka-Dot Ribbon. Oh, maybe Anno’s Journey. It’s tricky, because our mother filled our childhood with mountains of books. Which one was the first? I have no idea. We were always reading!
- The one that made you want to become an author: Emily of New Moon by Lucy Maud Montgomery.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. I first read it for a Latin American lit class in university, and many times again over the years. It haunts me and I love it.
Your debut novel, The Witch of Willow Sound, is out September 30th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Spooky, atmospheric, fast-paced modern gothic.
What can readers expect?
The Witch of Willow Sound is a gothic tale set in present day rural Nova Scotia with a tough-as-nails female protagonist, Fade. When her elderly aunt goes missing, Fade must return to the lonely forest of Willow Sound, where she discovers her aunt’s once-cozy cottage empty and rotting. The ominous smell of something burnt hangs in the air.
In her search for answers, Fade clashes with the people of Grand Tea, a nearby village struggling under the shadow of a massive, looming rock that could tip and crush them all at any time. For generations, they’ve invented bizarre lore about Fade’s aunt, calling her a witch and blaming her for their misfortunes. They’ve had more misfortunes than ever lately. And a hurricane is coming.
It’s a story of strong, powerful women who aren’t afraid of what anyone thinks of them, and of dark truths about what societies do with the people, and the past, they don’t want.
Where did the inspiration for The Witch of Willow Sound come from?
The inspiration came from my secret desire to yank out all the cables and cords that tether us to the modern world and go live in a cozy cottage in the woods, surrounded by creaking trees and wild pansies and piles of books to read through the steam of blackberry tea. However, in East Coast Canadian history and witch lore, women who freed themselves from the rules and limitations of society were not respected or left to be, but misunderstood and often feared. Inevitably, then, the cozy cottage I wrote filled up with shadows and dark secrets.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I enjoyed writing the main character, Fade. She is fearless, tough, and unapologetic. She acts in the world in ways I only wish I could. Being a discovery writer (aka a pantser) who makes up the story as I go, writing through Fade’s POV and having her character calling the shots, telling me what she’s going to say and do next (whether I liked it or not) made for some unexpected writing for me!
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Midway through the first draft I sustained an injury that fully stopped my writing. It stopped everything. For months, I was in severe pain and so scared. I don’t talk about it much. But, like we all do to survive the tough things we all go through: I got out of bed every day, when I was ready. Kept learning and trying. Kept life going but cut myself some slack. And asked for help, which is hard. I had committed myself to writing this novel, to shining a light into dark corners. At no point did I give up on finishing it. Even in pain, I kept writing and put my heart into every word.
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
A road filled with kind and inspiring people! Being a shy introvert, I’ve never thought about sharing my work. I write something, put it in a drawer, and write something else. My partner, Carter, is a musician. His gentle encouragement and wise advice made it safe to consider writing something not destined for a drawer. My kind and thoughtful son supports me endlessly with everything from building me computers to making me tea. And the people at ECW Press are brilliant and lovely. It is a privilege and I am beyond grateful to work with them. I encourage writers and all creators to keep going, even if you’re shy. There are many wonderful people on the road ahead of you. And I’ll be rooting for you, too!
What’s next for you?
Hopefully, visit some beautiful places and meet even more kind and inspiring people. I’d love to go home, by which I mean Newfoundland, if I can get there. Otherwise, same as always. Keep working. Keep writing and reading and spoiling my old, black cat. Keep daydreaming out the window about some tiny, forgotten cottage, maybe one somewhere desolate and howling and smothered in snow.
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
This past year, I enjoyed reading Our Wives Under the Sea, Enslavers of the Maritimes, Until August, Midnight Rooms, A Southern Book Club’s Guide to Vampire Slaying, The Lighthouse Witches, A Botanical Daughter. When I’m ready to write something new, I get revved up by reading non-fiction and joyously flinging my brain down the rabbit holes of whatever topics I end up accidentally obsessed with. Waiting for me on my coffee table right now: Village Witch, Culpeper’s Complete Herbal, Strange Terrain.
