Alison Levy Q&A: ‘Magic by Any Other Name’ and family abuse: “A lot of my family relationships were not healthy.”
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In the author’s new YA Urban Fantasy novel, a young witch flees family abuse and seeks her own happy ending…
“A multi-layered and intoxicating fantasy that explores the adverse effects of emotional abuse and the courage it takes to break away and pave your own path.” (Lenore Borja, author of The Last Huntress)
Wander the world with Georgette and her magical friends in this tender and hopeful fantasy story from award-winning author Alison Levy. Magic by Any Other Name: The Witch’s Odyssey (SparkPress) follows one young witch’s difficult decision to leave her toxic family and seek a better life for herself. With the help from a diverse group of magical creatures, Georgette confronts the demons of her past to pave a way for a brighter future.
CIBA-winning author of the Daemon Collecting series, Alison Levy returns with a new whimsical and cozy fantasy series taking readers on an enchanting exploration of the world and within yourself. Loosely based on the heartbreaking yet empowering family decisions Alison made for herself, Georgette’s story will resonate with young readers choosing “no contact” and creating their own found families.
In the interview below, author Levy shares some of the painful real life experience behind the novel, how fantasy helped her address painful topics, and how writing helped her overcome some of her own personal family trauma.
About the novel Magic by Any Other Name
Ivy Nichols O’Reilly has grown up in a wealthy family full of magic, fantasy creatures, and emotional abuse. When her narcissistic mother arranges an unwanted marriage for her, Ivy decides to leave her life of privilege behind and flees across the country with her best friend, a Wood Nymph named Mei-Xing. Along the way, she encounters a number of different magical creatures all on their own journey of purpose.
But to grow into her new identity, help her new friends, and develop a healthy relationship with a man she’s beginning to care for, Georgette will have to confront the privileges that have shielded her from the pain and ugliness of the magic community in which she was raised—and find the strength to overcome the trauma of her childhood. Perfect for fans of The Secret Society of Irregular Witches.
Magic by Any Other Name
The Witch’s Odyssey #1
Alison Levy
November 2023
SparkPress
YA Urban Fantasy
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About author Alison Levy
Alison Levy lives in Greensboro, North Carolina, with her husband, son, and a variety of pets. When she’s not writing or doing mom things, she crochets, gardens, and walks her collies.
“I’m consciously open about the fact that I’ve had difficulties with depression and anxiety throughout my life,” Levy says on her website. “I hope that my being open about my struggle with mental health will show others that it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to admit that everything’s not alright and that you need help. You are not broken, you are not deficient, and you are not an embarrassment. You can ask for help, you are worth the effort, and you deserve to be happy.”
Find out more on her website. You can also connect with her online at Facebook (@AlisonLevyAuthor), Twitter (@ALevyAuthor), and Instagram (@alevyauthor).
Interview with Alison Levy about Magic by Any Other Name: The Witch’s Odyssey
What is one takeaway you want readers—particularly those who can relate to Georgette—to have upon completing the novel?
I’d like readers to understand that a found family is a real family. Blood relations who make unreasonable demands or mistreat you all in the name of “family” are not entitled to control your life. It is okay to step away from people who don’t have your best interests at heart. A true family is not made from DNA, but from love.
How do the fantastical elements in your story help you address topics such as family trauma and mental health with a unique perspective?
By telling Georgette’s story through a veil of fantasy, I hoped to emphasize how alone she feels as she flees her family. Breaking away from an abusive family can be incredibly isolating, even with a strong support network around you. Because her family is already separated from general society by their magic, Georgette has even less connection to the wider world than the average person. Overcoming her upbringing is that much harder for Georgette since she can’t fall back on typical social safety nets.
How did writing help you overcome some of your own personal family trauma?
I started writing this book shortly after my final contact with my narcissistic parent, the last interaction I had with him before going no contact. It was a difficult, emotional time in my life when I was coming to terms with the fact that a lot of my family relationships were not healthy and never had been.
Writing Georgette’s story was a way to help me process what I was going through and help me figure out how to move forward. Georgette is not an autobiographical representation but she shares some key characteristics with me that made her a useful means of exploring my trauma.
What are some challenges you faced while writing Georgette’s story?
My book features a diverse cast of characters, drawing on mythologies and cultures from all around the world. I was very conscious of the fact that I’m a cis white American woman writing about characters from other ethnicities and backgrounds.
I did a lot of research on related issues and topics to make myself as knowledgeable as possible while developing these characters.
Doing so has led me to confront some privileges I wasn’t fully aware of for most of my life. I’ve done my best to write my personal growth into the story.
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