Happy Women’s History Month!
If you’re looking for an exciting new read, look no further than Esme Addison’s works. Addison is an Amazon and BN.com best selling author, and an Agatha Award finalist for Best First Novel for her book A Spell For Trouble (released in 2020).
The author’s latest work, An Intrigue of Witches, was released in January and focuses on 30-year-old Black woman Sidney Taylor is a talented early American history professor, working in fast-paced Washington DC, with her eyes on promotion. She’s also currently persona non grata. So when she receives an anonymous and very cryptic invitation to visit historic small-town Robbinsville, North Carolina and hunt for a missing archaeological treasure — it’s one she can’t refuse.
I had the pleasure of doing a Q&A with Addison and the author got candid about what makes for an interesting character, the book that made her want to become a writer, her inspirations, her upcoming book and much more!
Check out The Full interview with Esme Addison below:
What was the first book you read that made you interested in becoming an author, and have you re-read the book since you started your journey as an author?
Esme Addison: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I read it in 6th grade, and I remember my teacher telling me the author wrote the book when she was a teenager. It made me feel like I could write a book too. Prior to that I was an avid reader who always thought about writing stories but never tried to write one. I have not read the book since I was a teenager, but I recently re-watched the movie and it was still as good as I remember.
An Intrigue of Witches does a great job blending multiple genres – fantasy, mystery and thriller. What is it about these genres that speak to you most? And what was it like combining them all into one great book?
Esme Addison: I’ve always loved the mystery genre – trying to solve a problem or find information that’s hidden. And because the questions I want to answer – or the mysteries I’m interested in solving often include elements we consider fantasy or sci-fi, my stories become those genres as well. It was easy for me to blend, since I write in grounded worlds and try to be as realistic as possible when weaving in fantasy and sci-fi elements.
It is Women’s History Month, and you have incredible women in your books. What would you say are some of your favourite things about Sidney Taylor and Aleksandra Daniels?
Esme Addison: I like that they are regular women, the girl-next-door with extraordinary abilities they use in unusual situations.
When you were creating Sidney and Aleksandra’s respective stories, were there any women in particular who inspired you when creating them?
Esme Addison: No one in particular. However, I tend to write intelligent, feminine, educated, strong, independent women because that’s the type of women I grew up around. My mother, my grandmothers, aunts…all capable women who were still attractive, feminine and proud to be mothers, sisters, daughters, etc.
How would your life experiences have influenced your writing and the stories you’ve created?
Esme Addison: One interesting and unexpected way my life has influenced my writing is the inclusion of military and weapons.
My father was a US Army veteran and we used to go to annual airshows and special forces museums. I didn’t always know what I was looking at but grew up with a healthy respect for the US military and the men and women who served. And as an elementary and middle school kid, I thought the tanks, and airplanes were cool to look at. I married a US Marine, and as a military spouse I lived and worked on bases. I worked in libraries on Camp Lejeune (NC) and Camp Foster (Okinawa) and that’s where I discovered thriller writers like Brad Thor, Vince Flynn and Robert Ludlum. I really loved the fast-paced action and conspiracy plots. They were all men protagonists which was fine – but I always thought I’d write a thriller like that with a female protagonist. Dr. Sidney Taylor is a nod to those type of thrillers though she’s an academic. I have written an unpublished novel about a female spy that may see the light of day one day though. It’s a spinoff of the Enchanted Bay Mystery Series – but it’s sci-fi not fantasy.
I also worked at the Washington DC Navy Yard as an export license analysts of classified weapon systems. I find weapons and advanced technologies very interesting, and they and plots related to military and government conspiracies seem to find their way into my stories whether its fantasy or sci-fi.
What do you feel makes a good story and what makes good characters?
Esme Addison: An interesting person in an intriguing plot written by a writer that brings something fresh to the story.
While writing your two book series’, is there something new you’ve learned about yourself or your work as you’ve worked on all of your books?
Esme Addison: Yes – that writing two books a year is not enough. I still have new ideas for books popping up in my head. For adult and YA. Possibly MG. I’m working on an idea for a standalone.
Who are some women who helped you, inspired you, and uplifted you in your author journey?
Esme Addison: My editors at Crooked Lane and Severn House have been great. Supportive and helpful in their editorial guidance. All the women writers iI love that cover – Isn’t is magical? It’s the perfect blend of enchanted ocean, cozy fall and Oktoberfest – not three elements that are easily blended together. I’d like the readers to know this book goes deeper into the mermaid lore of Enchanted Bay and ends with some surprising reveals!n my writer’s groups: Crime Writers Of Color, Sisters In Crime, Thriller Writers…I find that other writers have been helpful just to be a friend, a beta reader or a conference bestie (someone you just meet at a book event and become instabuddies just for that weekend).
What advice would you offer any fellow women writers who are looking to share their stories and become authors?
Esme Addison: Join a writer’s group that offers critiques, beta readers and information on the business side of writing. Then, learn the craft of writing, practice, edit, get feedback, rewrite and repeat until you’re the best you can be. Then, start looking for an agent.
Lastly, you recently revealed the cover for the third book in your Enchanted Bay Mystery series. Is there anything you’d like to or can share with our readers about the new book?
Esme Addison: I love that cover – isn’t is magical? It’s the perfect blend of enchanted ocean, cozy fall and Oktoberfest – not three elements that are easily blended together. I’d like the readers to know this book goes deeper into the mermaid lore of Enchanted Bay and ends with some surprising reveals!
Esme Addison’s An Intrigue of Witches and the first two books in the Enchanted Bay Mystery series are available to purchase wherever books are sold!