Sara C. Snider Talks ‘Hazel and Holly’

Sara C. Snider was able to talk to us about her latest book Hazel and Holly. Like I said in the review of the book this is a must-have book on your fall reading list. So let’s not spend any more time and get to the interview with this author everyone should know about.

Tell us what your new book ‘Hazel and Holly’ is about.

It’s about two witch sisters searching for their necromancer father to make him undo a curse he put upon their dead mother.

What helped inspire you to write this book?

At its core, this book was inspired by the tree names Hazel, Holly, Hemlock and Hawthorn, who are the main characters. It was originally a flash fiction story that I then expanded upon and serialized on my blog into the novel it is.

What other books have you written?

I’ve written The Thirteenth Tower and A Shadowed Spirit, which are books one and two in my Tree and Tower series (I’m currently working on book three). I also have a dark fantasy novella The Forgotten Web.

How is ‘Hazel and Holly’ different from the other books you’ve written?

It’s more quirky and humorous than my other stories. All of my stories have dark elements, but I’d say this one is the most lighthearted. This was the story I just let myself have fun with when I wrote it, which is something I’ve never done before. It’s also the longest book I’ve written so far.

Why should someone pick up and read ‘Hazel and Holly’?

I think anyone who wants a humorous story in their life about sister witches with a YA, fairy tale vibe should definitely give it a go.

Tell our readers a bit about yourself.

I’m originally from northern California (born and raised) but moved to Sweden when I was 25 after meeting a Swedish man. I come from a rather large family (seven siblings) and have loved fantasy for as long as I can remember.

What made you get into writing?

Remember that Swedish guy I mentioned? Yeah, Anders is the one who encouraged me (like, a lot) to start writing. I had harbored a semi-secret desire to write after reading Neil Gaiman’s Stardust in my early 20s, but I didn’t actually start writing until my 30s, largely from Anders’ encouragement.

How do you decide or create a storyline to write?

I usually start off with a premise. I’ll have a main character and a goal they’re trying to achieve, everything else that follows (the story) I mostly discover as I go. How I decide or discover the characters and premises varies between books. Hazel and Holly came from what the names of the trees inspired in me. My novella The Forgotten Web was inspired by a call for short stories about a strange little girl. My most recent idea for a book comes from my wanting to write a story about a creepy archivist who digs up dead bodies. I’m still trying to figure out what his goal is.

What books are you reading right now?

Right now I’m reading The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe. It’s a historical fiction novel featuring… witchcraft!

How can someone keep up on the latest news about you?

The best way to keep up with me is probably by signing up for my mailing list or by following my blog, both of which you can find at www.saracsnider.com. If someone just wants to know when I have a new book out, they can follow me on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sara-c-snider

Do you have any social media our readers to follow and like?