We are delighted to bring you an interview with Jennifer Claessen, who spoke to us all about the sequel to The October Witches.
Your book, The November Witches, is a delightful new release perfect for reading at this time of year. Can you tell us a little more about it, and what inspired you to tell this story?
The November Witches picks up Clemmie’s story immediately after all of the things she did – and feels bad about! – in October. She’s expecting a magic-free month and all of the witches are mostly miserable about it but, of course, magical mayhem is about to ensue. It’s up to Clemmie to learn to speak up for herself and the young hags though, as it’s only together that they can fight back against the fires and knights plaguing them.
The November Witches is a spectacular sequel to The October Witches. Did you always want to write a sequel to continue Clemmie’s story?
Thank you so much! And yes, I was already thinking about Bonfire Night and marshmallows and a strange knight knocking on the door even as I wrote The October Witches! November doesn’t always get the festive love that October and December get but it’s an amazing month for forest walks. I moved house just before writing this book and now live on the edge of an incredible, ever-changing forest which definitely inspired the story.
Autumn is one of our favourite times of year here at PaperBound. Do you have any family traditions in your household at this time of year?
My family is costume-obsessed so we usually dress up at least three times for Halloween, always cute, never creepy! This year one of our fancy dress outfits was the ‘soot sprites’ from My Neighbour Totoro which was pure chaos and so fun. Toasting marshmallows outdoors is a must of course. Like the Merlyns, I have mixed feelings about fireworks but I love a bonfire. Oh, and Pie Night, like Aunt Connie creates, is essential too! Autumn clothes are the best too – the season begins for me when I put on a scarf and a big pair of boots, or for Clemmie and her coven, a binbag.
You have a brilliant way of weaving witchy story elements with traditional Arthurian legends, such as witch-hunting knights, magic, and strong bonds. Did anything surprise you along the way when you started writing this story?
In The October Witches, Clemmie wrestles with coming into her power but now, in a magicless November, she’s struggling with using her voice. I write generally knowing the ending as I love a big, busy, bustly finale where the covens get together and finally sort out their problems! I think this is officially a spoiler but, just between us, there’s a dragon in The November Witches, too hot to even touch, and she was a surprise!
Do you have any book recommendations on the theme of witches and/or magic?
I love everything magical! I’m currently reading The Thief of Farrowfell Hall by Ravena Guron which has a really cool magical system as the magic is edible. I love the world which is believable and compelling and the magic itself, though it often sounds disgusting to eat!
I went to the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge to be completely surrounded by armour and imagine what it was like to be a knight – mostly pretty uncomfortable it turns out!
Although this book is fantasy, did you have to delve into lots of research when writing/editing?
I’m always super happy digging deep into some magical research! For the whole ‘A Month of Magic’ trilogy I did lots of reading about the old, wise, male Merlin (versus my young, self-conscious and female Merlyns!) and what happened to him. I’d never even heard of ‘Avalon’ where some Arthurian scholars believe the Once and Future King will still rise again from but became pretty fascinated by it. For The November Witches I went to the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge to be completely surrounded by armour and imagine what it was like to be a knight – mostly pretty uncomfortable it turns out!
We’d love to read what you write next. Can you tell us about anything else you are working on right now?
Well, now we’re this deep into autumn, we have to finish the trilogy! The December Witches comes out in 2024 and I’ve just had a sneak peek of early cover designs and it is looking gorgeously sparkly and snowy! Writing-wise, I’m working on new myth-inspired tales, this time set in Ancient Greece – and in a summer holiday!
Jennifer Claessen
Jennifer was born in Reading and grew up a book worm. She studied literature and theatre at the University of Sheffield, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Canterbury Christchurch University and Central School of Speech and Drama. A teacher and theatre-maker, Jennifer loves stories, especially for children, whether on stage or page. Jennifer currently works in the West End, taking children to the theatre and lives in the East End with her partner, a Dutch toymaker, and their baby daughter. She loves reading, travel and ice cream. You can find her on her yellow bike or in a red velvet seat in the stalls, applauding.
The November Witches is out now and published by UCLan Publishing.
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