How I loved writing about all things witchy. This book has had a long genesis and began with a conversation between myself, Sarah Tarlow, Professor of Historical Archeology at the University of Leicester, our agent Kirsty Mclachlan and the late film producer Ileen Maisel. I later discovered the history of hexafoils and witch bottles, and once I’d fallen down that rabbit hole, there was no return. New England, which I’ve visited many times, was a wonderful setting for my fictional Jericho College, but I’ve also drawn inspiration from my hometown of Lampeter, the site of Wales’s oldest university, and also my time as a Royal Literary Fund fellow at Sheffield University.
Thanks as ever to my agent Kirsty Mclachlan at Morgan Green Creatives, who has kept this book on track and to my editor Siân Heap at Canelo for her enthusiastic response. Thanks to the other Canelo staff – Thanhmai, Kate, Alicia – for the work on my books and to my witchy writing friends – Sheila Bugler, Julie-Ann Corrigan, J. M. Hewitt, Rachel Lynch, Marion Todd. Tony Butler, as ever, has provided invaluable input into the finished book and I’m grateful for his continued support and that of his wife Judith. Thanks too to Julie Conlan who gave me lots of witch ideas and a leaving present of door charms. They seem to be working their magic in Wales.
I’m lucky to have the support of my family including my father, Stuart, and I’m especially grateful to my husband Andy, without whom writing would be no fun at all. Finally, heartfelt thanks to Sarah Tarlow, a great writer in her own right, for the chats and inspiration, and to whom this book is dedicated.