Interview with Author Alexis Henderson

Welcome Back Booklovers! I'm back with another interview with a debut author. Her book The Year of the Witching comes highly recommended by Rena Barron, another author who's debut was among my favorite reads of 2019. And it's occult fiction/ horror which is a genre I don't usually explore.

 

What has your experience been like debuting during a pandemic and one of the largest global racial movements we’ve ever seen? It’s been a bit of a whirlwind honestly. Promotion especially has been difficult because I’m so distracted by everything that’s going on in the world, and I’m always concerned about detracting from the important discussions that are occurring. That said, I think there’s something profound and humbling about debuting at such a critical moment in history.

 

You grew up in Savannah, Georgia and have since relocated to Charleston, South Carolina. What has it been like living in those places and how has it inspired your writing? Growing up in the South was an interesting and, at times, challenging experience. In this area, history is present in such a visceral way, and I think that certain, dark parts of its past certainly inspired elements of my story. That said, the biggest source of inspiration has definitely come from southern folklore. Savannah, Georgia is one of America’s most haunted cities, and so I don’t think it’s any coincidence that my book is rife with ghosts, witches, and other eerie elements. 

 

In your own words what is The Year of the Witching about? The Year of the Witching follows Immanuelle Moore on her quest to defeat a coven of witches who have cast a powerful curse upon her home, a theocratic settlement called Bethel. But her in her plight to defeat the coven, Immanuelle uncovers dark secrets about the Church and Prophet that she serves.

 

In many Black communities there’s a stigma against witchcraft and a strong tight knit Christian community. What drew you towards witchcraft? Much like my main character, Immanuelle Moore, I think I was drawn toward witchcraft because of the stigma surrounding it. That said, witchcraft is a beautiful practice rife with history and diversity. While the magic system in The Year of the Witching isn’t based on any specific real-world faith, I was very inspired by the plight of those whose practices are deemed dangerous or evil by larger, more powerful, religious institutions.

Were there any Black narratives that influenced The Year of the Witching? The work of N.K. Jemisin is a constant source of inspiration to me. I’m always striving to be as creative and ambitious as she is with her craft. 

 

 If Year of the Witching became a movie who would you fancast? I think Yara Shahidi or Zendaya would make a great Immanuelle. I’m a huge fan of Timothée Chalamet, so I’d fancast him as Ezra. I think Jared Harris or Michael Shannon would be great in the role of the Prophet. I’ve always thought that Julia Garner would be amazing as Leah.

 

As Black author have you ever felt pressure to write a certain type of book? Definitely! I think there’s a lot of pressure on Black authors to write books that explore themes like racism or oppression. While I do touch on those topics in The Year of the Witching, I think Black authors should be free to explore stories that don’t focus on those themes. 

 

What drew you to YA and are you interested in writing any adult fantasies? The Year of the Witching is actually an adult fantasy, with YA crossover potential. I’m not sure that anything specific drew me to YA or adult fantasy. I think I just like good stories, and I tend to gravitate toward the spaces where I find them.

 

What is your writing process like? My writing process changes with every book. But lately, I come up with a loose outline, and I attempt to “connect the dots” by filling in the empty spaces between major plot points.

 

What are some of your favorite books written by Black authors? The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin, Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron, the anthology A Phoenix First Must Burn edited by Patrice Caldwell, Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, and Mama Day by Gloria Naylor.

Is there any advice you would give to an inspiring author? Finish what you start! I often see aspiring authors who frequently abandoned projects and are always distracted by the thrall of the shiny new thing. But it’s important to remember that you can’t learn to write books if you never finish the ones you begin.

Do you have any other works in progress? I have several! But right now, most of my energy is devoted to finishing the sequel of The Year of the Witching.

When you're not writing what are your hobbies? I like to paint, read (of course), and garden!