Magic by Any Other Name, The Witch’s Odyssey Book One was the winner in the FANTASY category of the 2024 IndieReader Discovery Awards, where undiscovered talent meets people with the power to make a difference.
Following find an interview with author Alison Levy.
I’m so touched to receive this award. It means everything to me that industry professionals have found my book to be deserving of this honor. My goal in sharing this book with the world was not just to entertain but also so readers who’ve grown up around emotional abuse could see via my main character, Georgette, that they aren’t alone. I hope this award will bring my book to the attention of more readers who can identify with Georgette and her struggles with a narcissistic parent. Thank you so much for this amazing award!
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Magic by Any Other Name, The Witch’s Odyssey Book One, published Nov 7, 2023
What’s the book’s first line?
Riding the melody playing on the turntable, Claudia set aside the stress of her deadlines, her ever-growing to-do list . . . and the other thing.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Ivy Nichols O’Reilly has grown up in a wealthy family full of magic, fantasy creatures, and emotional abuse. When Ivy’s narcissistic mother arranges an unwanted marriage for her, the young witch drops out of college and flees across the country with her best friend, a Wood Nymph named Mei-Xing. Changing her name to Georgette, Ivy tries to build a new identity and a new life. But during their travels, the girls cross paths with a Werehyena searching for his kidnapped wife, a Vampire who runs a unique magical business, and a Valkyrie who, along with her raven partner, wants to make a risky deal. While putting her magic to use for their benefit, Georgette has to confront the privileges that have shielded her from the pain and ugliness of the magic community in which she was raised and to find the strength to overcome the trauma of her childhood.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I started writing Magic by Any Other Name shortly after going no contact with a toxic family member. Detangling myself from this person’s emotional manipulation was extremely stressful, to the point that I couldn’t sleep and was losing my hair. My way of coping with anxiety has always been writing. As I came to terms with my upbringing and learned to recognize the abusive elements of it, I crafted a magical story about a witch going through the same process. It was a healing journey and I’m so pleased to share it with others.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Georgette is unusual for a female main character in that when the book begins, she is fragile. She’s undergoing a major life upheaval by breaking ties with her abusive family and it’s turned her into a big ball of anxiety. But that’s also where her strength shines through. It takes a strong person to say “No more!” to abuse. It takes an even stronger person to walk away from everything they know in order to break the cycle of generational trauma.
I didn’t have any particular person in mind when I created Georgette. I was processing my own trauma, sat down to write, and she’s what my anxiety-riddled brain came up with. I’d be curious to hear from readers if she reminds them of anyone.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
While I always hope the story will entertain readers, the main reason they should pick up my book is to gain insight into the reality of narcissistic manipulation. It’s not easy to recognize emotional abuse, especially for those who, like Georgette, have had it normalized throughout their childhood. Seeing it through another person’s eyes, even a fictional person like Georgette, can be enlightening. I want readers to see how extremely damaging emotional abuse is so that those who haven’t experienced it can sympathize and so those who have lived through it will know that they are not alone.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I started writing in the 6th grade when my English teacher told me I had talent. That’s when the seed was planted and it grew steadily throughout my life.
Is this the first you’ve written?
No, it’s actually my third book! My other books, unrelated to the world of Magic by Any Other Name, are called Gatekeeper and Blue Flame.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
I try to write at least a little everyday but life sometimes gets in the way. I’ve gotten better at managing my daily schedule since getting diagnosed with ADHD. That diagnosis really put of lot of my life into context!
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part is the creative freedom. You get to write what you want, you set your own schedule, and you retain a lot of control over what you’ve written throughout the editing and publishing process.
The hardest part is marketing and publicity. When you sign with a traditional publisher, the company takes care of everything. When you’re an indie author, it’s all on you. A lot of authors, myself included, are introverts so finding ways to grab the spotlight goes against their every instinct.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
I’ll never say never! I’d certainly love to hear their pitch before making a decision!