Rebecca Thorne is a Sunday Times, USA Today, and Indie Bestselling author, specializing in fantasy, sci-fi, and romance. She is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, hails from sunny Arizona, USA, and uses her ADHD as a superpower to write multiple books a year. When she’s not writing (or avoiding writing), Rebecca can be found traveling the country as a flight attendant, hiking with her dogs and lovely fiancée, or basking in the sun like a lizard.

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea is available now. You can order your copy HERE.
A Pirate’s Life For Tea is due for release 3rd October, you can pre-order HERE

Sarah Beth Durst is the author of over twenty-five fantasy books for adults, teens, and kids, including The Queens of Renthia series, Drink Slay Love, and Spark. She has won an American Library Association Alex Award and a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award and has been a finalist for the Andre Norton Nebula Award three times. She lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband, her children, and her ill-mannered cat. Visit her at www.sarahbethdurst.com.

The SpellShop is due for release 11th July. You can pre-order your copy HERE

Welcome to the Fantasy Hive Rebecca and Sarah, and our Women in SFF feature! We’re thrilled you could both join us for an interview about cosy fantasy.

To begin with, can you briefly describe your story in three sentences or less? 

Rebecca: Why is summarizing books so hard? LOL. My book is about two women who leave their intense, dangerous fantasy lives to open a bookshop that serves tea. It focuses on pursuing dreams and love in a world that sometimes punishes people for stepping out of line. 🙂 

Sarah: I went with jam instead of tea — if you read both our books together, it’s a full meal! The Spellshop is about a rogue librarian and her best friend, a sentient spider plant, who open up a (rather illegal) spellshop that also sells a lot of raspberry jam. It is, at its core, about kindness and about connecting with other people (and plants and merhorses and the occasional random unicorn…).

Rebecca: I loved the merhorses!

Can you tell us a bit about your main character? What kind of personality do they possess?

Sarah: There’s a line in The Spellshop that says, “It wasn’t that she didn’t like people; it was only that she liked books more,” and I think that sums up Kiela. She’s much more comfortable with her crates of spellbooks than she is venturing into town and (gulp) talking to people.

Rebecca: Meanwhile, my characters are pretty social and out in society, haha! Reyna is a retired Queensguard who spent her life circling royalty, ready to eliminate an assassin at a moment’s notice. Off-duty, though, she’s definitely more of an introvert, always happy to sit in silence with a cup of tea and a good book. Her partner, Kianthe, is the world’s most powerful mage–but she’s also a free-spirited, pun-loving bundle of chaos. Kianthe’s passion is books… and bothering Reyna just for fun. 😉

Did you create mood boards to help set the atmosphere of your story? If so, what did your mood board consist of? 

Rebecca: I did create a mood board–Pinterest vibe boards are my favorite! This one had a few images of the main characters, and then I just went wild looking for fantasy settings and dragon images. I wanted to focus on the cozy elements, but also add a level of danger to the exterior of my characters’ lives! Makes it even more meaningful when they choose to stay in their cozy life, you know? What about you, Sarah? 

Sarah: I created one too! Mine is filled with lots of cottages, flowers, and all things cottagecore. When Bramble asked me my thoughts on the cover, I sent them a collage of the pictures I’d collected — and the cover artist (Lulu Chen) captured exactly what I was picturing. I love her work so much!

Rebecca: Your cover is gorgeous, and I love that you handed them a collage! I’m lucky enough to work with my cover artist (Irene Huang) directly on books 1 and 2, so we’re great friends now. We’re using her again for books 3 and 4; so excited!

Sarah: I didn’t know there’s going to be a 3 and 4! Yay!! Can’t wait!

Just for fun, how would you pitch your book as a 1-star review?

Sarah: “This book was too relaxing. I kept finding myself smiling while I was reading it, which worried my spouse because I never smile. Also, it made me start craving raspberry jam, cheese, and cinnamon rolls, which also worried my spouse because I usually only eat fish and Sour Patch Kids.”

Rebecca: PFFT. Mine already had one star reviews, and I made it into a marketing campaign just to mess with the assholes. The reviews were along the lines of “one star, had lesbians,” so in book 2 I doubled the lesbians, and then dedicated the novel to the homophobic folks who inspired me. (I’m pretty petty, all things considered. >.> )

Editor: Didn’t I see one of those drop-down banners? With a 1 star review printed on it? Personally think that’s a great marketing idea, I’ve bought so many books thanks to homophobic 1* reviews – like thanks guys! I didn’t know this had lesbians until you complained!

Both Can’t Spell Treason without Tea and The Spell Shop have been described as “cosy” fantasy: can you tell us what defines the cosy fantasy genre for you?

Rebecca: Oooh, this is one of my favorite questions, just because I think it’s a nebulous thing right now. This genre is so new, so us early writers (trad and indie!) get to define what this genre looks like moving forward. Right now, I think it’s settled on vibes: if it feels like a warm hug, it’s cozy! But I definitely push the bounds with my cozies by adding a lot of action and a fair amount of violence. I feel like Sarah added those elements into her cozy as well, right?

Sarah: Definitely agree. It’s about the vibe, the way it makes a reader feel. For me, cozy fantasy feels like a warm hug or a deep breath. Like snuggling up under a blanket and a cat and a mug of hot chocolate while snow falls outside. Or watching the sunset over a beach. It should feel like sanctuary. And I think it absolutely can have action and even drops of darkness, like Rebecca said, so long as it also delivers joy and delight, comfort and hope.

What draws you to cosy fantasy? Did you start your story with this aim in mind, or did the label come after?

Sarah: I knew I wanted to write cozy fantasy from the start. We’ve all been through a lot over the past few years, and I really wanted to create a world full of kindness and enchantment that anyone who wants to can escape into. So while I was writing this book, I tried to fill every chapter with as many thing that make me happy as possible. Like merhorses, talking plants, quirky friends, really good cheese… How about you, Rebecca? Which came first, story or vibe?

Rebecca: Genre came first for me, LOL. I’m not ashamed to admit that I wrote Treason because I saw the cozy fantasy genre coming like a freight train, and I was so, so ready for those vibes. It was easy enough for me to repurpose a cozy-adjacent story about two retired thieves who manage an inn on the edge of dragon country, catering to cutthroats who want to steal from dragon hoards. I just amped up the cozy vibes and pulled inspiration from Legends & Lattes, and the plot formed!

Do you think there are particular tropes to cosy fantasy, and if so, tell us about your favourites?

Rebecca: Found family is like, THE trope in cozy fantasy, I think. It’s all about finding people who love and accept you for you, and who are sincerely glad you exist. That’s what we all crave, I expect! I’m personally a sucker for hurt-comfort (particularly the “whump” flavor, haha), but that’s less cozy. Doesn’t stop me from adding it, though!

Sarah: I love found family too. Also, the non-toxic relationships, the quirky characters, and the charming settings that I want to visit. But I think my favorite trope is stillness. You know that scene in the Studio Ghibli movie Spirited Away where Chihiro is on the train with No-Face and they just… ride the train? And it’s peaceful and beautiful and calm? I love when cozy fantasies include moments like that, where the conflict doesn’t escalate and you can simply experience being fully in the world of the story.

Rebecca: Ahh, stillness! That’s a great one. I adore Ghibli movies, and definitely think cozy has a lot of “slice of life” stories reminiscent of those. Kiki’s Delivery Service is definitely cozy, in my mind!

Sarah: Also, My Neighbor Totoro. Love that inexplicable cat bus.

Which three cosy fantasy reads would you recommend to our readers? Give us some hidden gems! 

Sarah: I know this doesn’t count as hidden because Rebecca’s right here, but I loved Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea so very much! The relationship between the two main characters — it’s so beautifully healthy! Absolutely fantastic! I’d also highly recommend The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong, which comes out in November. So incredibly lovely and delightful! Also, Good Neighbors by Stephanie Burgis, which is sweet, quirky, and wonderful!

Rebecca: L O L. I mean, I’ll take the compliment, happily haha! I also adored The Spell Shop, and think it was a gorgeous representation of how fantasy elements like magic and merhorses can merge into this stunning story of–as you said before–stillness and love! Legends & Lattes has to be my second choice. Anything Travis Baldree writes is on my short list. But I also think there are some amazing cozies coming out from indie authors. Practical Potions and Premeditated Murder was written by Wren Jones, and features a ghost investigating her own murder, with the help of a kitchen witch. It’s very atmospheric and the cat familiar is hilarious!

Who are the most significant women in SFF who have shaped and influenced your work? 

Rebecca: Tamora Pierce was a huge inspiration for me!! I’m obsessed with her quartets, and think that she did an amazing job talking about the realities of growing up as a young girl. The fact that Alanna gets her period in book one, and that was written in the late ‘80s, is amazing to me. 

Sarah: Yes, yes, yes! I second Tamora Pierce, 100%! I have this vivid memory of being ten years old, reading Alanna, and thinking to myself, “If Alanna can become a knight, I can become a writer.” 

I’ve also been shaped by Robin McKinley, Diana Wynne Jones, Patricia C. Wrede, Mercedes Lackey, Anne McCaffrey, Susan Cooper, Patricia McKillip, Gail Carson Levine, Margaret Mahy, and Lois McMaster Bujold, to name a few. I still love all of those authors.

Rebecca: The way my head bobbed with this list. Patricia C. Wrede, in particular. Omg. I’ll also add Vivian Vande Velde, who wrote some adorable stories including the book Dragon’s Bait. It’s one of my favorites!

Sarah: Yes, that one too! I think we probably have identical bookshelves…

If you could visit any fictional coffee shop or restaurant or tavern (etc!), where would you visit and why?

Sarah: I’d want to visit the bakery/coffeehouse in Sunshine by Robin McKinley. The main character, Rae, makes what she calls “Cinnamon Rolls as Big as Your Head,” when she isn’t worrying about the vampire she’d met. (I’d rather avoid the vampire, thank you very much, but I’d visit for the cinnamon rolls.) I can’t read that book without feeling hungry. Actually, I can’t write food scenes without snacking. How about you, Rebecca? Did you drink tea while you were writing your book?

Rebecca: I definitely drink tea most of the time, including while I write! I just finished watching Bridgerton, so my answer would have to be the gorgeous room where Queen Charlotte takes afternoon tea. Every single time she’s eating, I’m staring at the stuff on her plate and wondering why I don’t live in English high society. LOL. 

If you were to have your story adapted, what medium would you choose—anime, Netflix series or feature length film? Who would you cast for your main character? 

Rebecca: I’d absolutely LOVE an animated series of my books, along the lines of Gravity Falls or The Owl House. I think it’d fit perfectly with that medium!! I’m not sure who I’d cast; I’d just be excited to see it on the screen, haha! What about you, Sarah? 

Sarah: Loved Owl House. Your book would look fabulous in that style, Rebecca! I think for mine… I really don’t know. I’d be thrilled with either animation or live action. If animated… I think a Studio Ghibli style would look amazing. If live action… hmm… maybe Emma Watson or Zoe Saldana for Kiela and Jason Momoa or Chris Hemsworth for Larran? And a real spider plant for Caz.

Rebecca: I can imagine a spider plant as Caz. That’d be amazing. It is very Ghibli coded, so I think that’d work great!

Finally, what is the one thing you hope readers take away from your writing?

Sarah: I hope it makes them happy. That’s it. That’s all I want. Just to help readers escape from whatever is upsetting them or causing them stress in the world, for the space of a few hours at least, and let them instead taste wonder, joy, and raspberry jam.

Rebecca: You’re so lovely, Sarah. Meanwhile, I hope my readers finish my book and immediately say, “where’s the sequel?” and then go and pre-order the next one. Because I’m selfish and want the sales. >.> 

Thank you so much for joining us for Women in SFF!

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea is available now. You can order your copy HERE.
A Pirate’s Life For Tea is due for release 3rd October, you can pre-order HERE

The SpellShop is due for release 11th July. You can pre-order your copy HERE