interview with a witch

Photo by @author.amanda.cole on Instagram

Dusk to dawn, dawn to dusk

Aroma of blood dances through the air

Kissing the cheeks of fortune

Brushing ears as whispers on a cold dry night

Begging for the sun to rise

For it is the night of Bloodfeast

And the mad have come out to play

There is rarely ever a book that keeps me awake at night. The paragraphs and sentences floating through my head and around my face, like equations in a movie. Theories pile up in my head to the point that I can't ignore them, and I reach for the book again to re-read certain parts.

There has never, ever, been a book that wakes me from sleep, making me believe I am in the book, and they are coming for me, next.

Late at night (as in, like, 10 PM cause I'm old [I'm 28]), whilst scrolling through the "explore" page of Instagram, a video caught my eye. I tapped on it. It was a mysterious lady, pale with dark hair, eyes deep with stories, with a caption about her book she was writing. I proceeded to her profile, and behold, an entire page with dark academia aesthetic, "old world vampire" feel. Immediate follow.

This page belonged to one S. Bacchante (@author_s_bacchante), author of an upcoming book called Villainess: Bloodfeast.

A few months go by and then it happens.

"Apply to ARC read Villainess now!"

I ran to the link in bio and applied... and was accepted! And then I became part of the Street Team!

Fast forward another few months. I have read Villainess. I am in love with this story.

Let's get straight to the point: you do NOT want to miss out on this. I am a huge fan of gatekeeping, but this book deserves a spot on the NYT bestselling list. It needs to be talked about by everyone. It is so good.

On my Bookstagram (@author.amanda.cole), you will see a variety of Villainess posts and reels. Yes, it was my job to hype up and advertise the book, but you need to understand that my time is very valuable. If I did not devour and love this book, I would not have continued being a hype-woman. I am very sincere when I say that this book is that good. I know, I know, what's the book about?? First, here is my official review (no spoilers):

I reached out to Bacchante and I asked her for an interview. I wanted to know how she came up with this story and its characters. I wanted to know her writing process. I wanted to know how she has already completed a draft to the third book. And so, I sent her these questions. And here's what a witch does when she writes:

Tell me a little bit about your writing process. Do you have notebooks? Sticky notes? Or all in your head?

My writing process is this:

I got heartbroken at some point, which makes me realize I actually am human with feelings. The hurt festers into inspiration. My creativity is mostly derived from pain, yes. Pain, anger, sadness. And I do not mind, I am masochistically enjoying it. I write down random thoughts (literally on any surface available, not even furniture or skin is safe from me) - quotes, plot points, characters as it comes to me.

Then I organize this mess in the plotting process of the book, where I outline it, do character profiles, sketch out the arcs. I am never quite sure where it will end up, because I have a smart-ass and stubborn FMC who literally does what she wants.

With chapters written out, I get to work. It takes me a month or two to write the book. Then it's rounds of additional drafts and edits. Line editing is my arch enemy.

How did you come up with the story for Villainess?

Oh well. I was Kasdeya (the FMC) and I just needed to get an outlet for my anger issues and the general rage that comes from existence sometimes. And from love.

I was in a toxic relationship back then. So loads of the feelings and quotes between certain characters are what was said, or what could have applied to my situation. I wrote the book when we broke up, and loads of it changed. But the bones remain. This story stands on the bones of broken love and a girl who feels inhuman because of her rage.

Fun fact, I took direct inspiration from my old diaries when writing Kasdeya. Quoted my past self even. Ladies and gentlemen, I was a menace of a teenager.

How would you describe the genre for Villainess? What makes your story stand out? (Compared to others in the genre)?

Gothic romantasy, horror-esque. Maybe a bit of a psychological thriller.

Something akin to NBC's Hannibal. The Cruel Prince. Throne of Glass. Nevernight... 

Villainess is unique in its darkness, it's cruel, merciless and gory. Its romance is toxic and bloody, cutthroat. There's constant tension, constant danger of doom. No one is safe. I can attest to that. No one. Is. Safe.

What are 3-5 tropes readers should expect in Villainess?

Rivals to 'lovers'

Found family of misfits

Cannibalism

Revenge

Cult

What do you want readers to walk away with once finishing Villainess?

I want them as confused and on edge as Kasdeya. I want them thrumming with excitement, because we all know it's gonna get worse from here, Kasdeya was just warming up. And so was Alexander. 

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Villainess: Bloodfeast by S. Bacchante is available for purchase on Amazon in e-book and Paperback!

"Libitiani attack Arcane, searching for a key that ends up in Kasdeya’s hands. Acolytes around her start dropping like flies. She allies with her rival, the mad Jester, committing high treason and digging towards the root of Arcane’s and Libitiani’s feud.

Tiptoeing on the knife edge of friendship and rivalry, love and madness, they’re entangled in an ancient prophecy. The gateway to revenge and freedom.

Will their sanity and humanity weather the maws of betrayal, villainy, divinity and the all-seeing shadow?"