A young witch tries to unravel the mystery of who is framing her for dark magic in Georgia Bowers’ creepy YA debut fantasy, Mark of the Wicked.

Magic always leaves its mark.

All her life, Matilda has been told one thing about her magic: You use only when necessary. But Matilda isn’t interested in being a good witch. She wants revenge and popularity, and to live her life free of consequences, free of the scars that dark magic leaves on her face as a reminder of her misdeeds.

When a spell goes awry and the new boy at school catches her in the act, Matilda thinks her secret might be out. But far from being afraid, Oliver already knows about her magic – and he wants to learn more. As Oliver and Matilda grow closer, bizarre things begin to happen: Animals show up with their throats slashed and odd markings carved into their bodies, a young girl dies mysteriously, and everyone blames Matilda. But she isn’t responsible — at least, not that she can remember. As her magic begins to spin out of control, Matilda must decide for herself what makes a good witch, and discover the truth…before anyone else turns up dead.

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Author Interview

1.     What would you consider to be your Kryptonite as an author?

I have a thing about threes! Writing lists of three, descriptions in threes, even friendship groups of three. I tie myself up in knots trying to come up with a third thing sometimes, then have to remind myself it doesn’t always have to be three.

2. Favorite childhood memory involving books?

My mum taking me to the mobile library on our street so I could borrow Babysitters Club books and Point Horrors (I’m a Gemini).

3. If you could dine with any literary character, who would it be and why?

Lestat. He’s just so deliciously self-serving, I’d love to spend some time with him. Also, I’d be interested to see whether he’d turn me or feed on me.

4. What’s one movie you like recommending to others?

I watched Palm Springs recently and have been recommending it to everyone!

5. If you could own any animal as a pet, what would it be?

Matilda has a pet goat called Victor and the more time I spent writing about him the more I wanted a goat of my own!

6. Have you ever met anyone famous?

I’m a big fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Vampire Diaries and have met lots of the cast at conventions. When I met the actor who played Matt Donovan he commented on my name and said “We’re filming in Georgia” but I thought he said “How are you feeling, Georgia?” so I blurted out “I’m fine!” He looked confused and my friend told me what he’d actually said. I was mortified.

 7.     What is the first book that made you cry?

I am Legend when I was a teenager. The scene with the dog is different in the book and I felt way more invested in the relationship between it and Robert Neville.

8.    How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?

It takes about six months for me to do the first draft which is always a total mess. I then go through it enough times so it makes enough sense for my beta readers to read it. I compare writing a book to doing your hair; washing it and giving it a rough dry, then combing it through a few times and putting some polish on it. Sometimes you have to cut it all off and let it grow again!

9.    How do you select the names of your characters?

I decide how old they are then look up what names were popular the year they would have been born. Then I’ll choose based on their character traits, so if they’re popular I’d give them a typical popular girl name.

I also like to go through old parish registers to look for interesting names that would work for my characters. That’s where I found Matilda’s surname, Hollowell.

10.    What creature do you consider your "spirit animal" to be?

Cat, for sure.

11.    What are your top 5 favorite movies?

Clueless, The Lost Boys, Hocus Pocus, The Craft, Scream.

12. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Just keep reading and writing and never give up. Also, find a crit partner or group. Writing can feel very solitary so someone to share writing, and other things, with is a lifeline. If you can’t find a group, maybe start one yourself.

13. What is your favorite genre to read?

Thrillers, but also rom coms (told you I’m a Gemini)

 14.     When did you write your first book?

I have vague memory of writing a book about a unicorn that flew out of a car engine and flew a girl off on an adventure. There’s a chance I was bored stuck at home on a Saturday while my dad fixed his car when I wrote that one!

15.    What sparks your creativity/how do you get your ideas?

I like to flick through the newspaper cuttings file at the library where I work. It’s in sections so I go for the paranormal, ghost, or witchcraft files. I love reading local stories then turning them into something else.

16.    What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love going to conventions. I’ve really missed them during the pandemic and can’t wait to be back with fans!

17. If you had to pick a celebrity to cast for your main character, who would it be?

Troian Bellisario would play Matilda, Nick Robinson would play Oliver, and Danielle Macdonald would play Erin.

18. If you could travel anywhere in the world to write, where would you go?

I have family in Ireland, so I’d love to go there. It’s been so long since I’ve visited, and I’d love to some writing with that scenery to look out of the window at.

19. Would you ever write under a pseudonym?

I’ve been playing around with a rom com called Foes and Cons which is set at a convention. I started it in lockdown because I missed being at conventions so much and made up my own! I’d love to publish that under a pseudonym.

20. Do you have a favorite food/snack/drink when writing (or anytime)?

Diet coke, Mint Aero, and licorice, though definitely not at the same time.

21. What’s one thing you’d like to say to your readers?

I really hope you enjoy the book and thank you so much for your support.

Author Bio:

Georgia Bowers lives in Bedford, a small market town in England. When it was time to decide what to do with her life, she was obsessed with two things: books and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It seemed sensible to follow in the brogued footsteps of Rupert Giles, so she became a librarian, though sadly not the demon fighting kind. But there’s still time.

Ever since her mum told her that witches used to meet in the woods near their village, she’s been obsessed with witchcraft and the paranormal. When she was a teenager, a weekly habit of Point Horrors satisfied her thirst for chilling tales before she moved on to reading Stephen King. These days she likes to give her nerves a break every now and then with a good YA romance.

After completing a course in writing YA fiction she was a winner in the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Undiscovered Voices. Since then she has dabbled with stories of chosen ones and ghostly best friends until she conjured up the magical ingredients for her debut novel, Mark Of The Wicked.

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