New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction, Madeline Martin is coming to Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival next month to launch A Time of Witches in the UK. Here, Madeline explains how much of the book is about the 1645 witch trials in the town
First things first: who are you and what do you do?
I’m Madeline Martin, and I’m a New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author of historical fiction who has written more than 40 books (previously I wrote historical romance). I enjoy writing stories about ordinary women finding extraordinary courage during difficult moments in history. My books tend to focus heavily on resilience, friendship, community, and hope, often with a bookish slant. I’m always looking for the light that exists even in the darkest times. I’m also a huge history nerd, which means I absolutely love doing research!
When did your love of writing begin? What made you take the leap from corporate career to becoming a full-time author?
I have always loved stories. Growing up, my dad was in the Army, so we moved every three or four years, and books were always my constant. They kept me from feeling so alone when I was the new kid at school and were a constant source of comfort.
I started seriously writing more than 20 years ago, but becoming a full-time author was a very long road. For years, I worked full-time as a business analyst while raising my two daughters and writing six to eight books a year. In February 2020, I was laid off from my corporate job right before the pandemic started, and I decided not to get another job and to try writing full-time.
The pandemic hit, and not having a day job was terrifying, but that additional time gave me the opportunity to write The Last Bookshop in London. That book went on to hit #8 on the New York Times bestseller list and completely changed my life. I’ve been very grateful to be a full-time writer ever since.
Where is home?
Home is St Augustine, Florida, where I live with my family and our spoiled cats. As a historical fiction author, I feel quite lucky to live in a city with so much history. I’m also only two hours away from Disney and enjoy going there with my family.
What was it about Bury St Edmunds and its history that inspired you to write A Time of Witches?
I had a recurring nightmare when I was in high school that I was being burned alive at the stake as a witch. I know—very macabre! But that dream kept percolating in the back of my mind for more than 25 years, and I knew there was a story there.
When I began researching witch trials to use for this book, I discovered the 1645 trials in Bury St Edmunds and became fascinated by them. Matthew Hopkins, the self-proclaimed Witchfinder General, was involved in the persecution of women across East Anglia. Mary Lakeland was part of this inspiration as well. Her case particularly caught my attention because, unlike most of those executed for witchcraft in England, she was burned at the stake rather than hanged.
What really drew me in, though, were the victims themselves. So many were ordinary people whose lives were destroyed by accusation, suspicion, and fear. I wanted to bring the humanity behind their names to life.
How would you describe the book?
A Time of Witches is a dual-timeline historical novel with magical realism. It begins with Lilith Legare in present-day Savannah, Georgia, who has been haunted by the same recurring nightmare her entire life of being burned at the stake as a witch.
She eventually discovers that what she’s experiencing may be connected to Sybil, an ancestor living in Bury St Edmunds during the 1645 witch trials. The two women become connected across nearly 400 years of history, and Lilith realizes she must rewrite history and save her ancestor. At its heart, though, this story is about women, family, friendship, and the power of believing in oneself.
How was your research trip to Bury? Who was particularly helpful?
It was incredible! Walking through the medieval grid-patterned streets of Bury St Edmunds, seeing the Abbey ruins, and experiencing the town for myself helped me understand the setting in a completely different way.
The Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides were amazing and were integral to my research. I took some fascinating tours with John Saunders, Lynn Whitehead, Terry O’Donoghue, and Stephen Moody that were both entertaining and educational. I also truly appreciated my time at Moyse’s Hall Museum, where Daniel Clarke kindly shared his extensive knowledge with me. Additionally, Sue Thompson generously shared information about the area’s herbal history. One of my favourite things about writing historical fiction is meeting people who are just as passionate about preserving and sharing history as I am. Their knowledge adds a depth to my books that I could never get from research alone.
How excited are you to launch A Time of Witches in the UK, at the Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival?
I’m beyond excited! It truly is such an honour to be invited to speak at the Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival. So much of this story belongs to Bury St Edmunds. I spent months researching events that happened there nearly 400 years ago and am just so grateful to everyone who shared so much of their knowledge with me. Getting to bring the finished book back to the place where so much of it began is so very special.
I’m also always excited to meet readers and reconnect with some of the wonderful people I met while in Bury last time. I love getting to talk history – it’s one of my favourite parts of being an author. I’m so incredibly grateful to the Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival for inviting me.
What can people expect on October 8?
I’ll share my writing process for this book, but I’m especially excited to share some of the real history behind the novel. I’ll talk about the 1645 witch trials, the research that went into the book, and some of the fascinating things I discovered along the way.
I’m very much looking forward to being in conversation with Lynn Whitehead, who contributed to my research and introduced me to Sybil Andrews, after whom I ended up naming my historical character, Sybil.
What are you working on next?
My next novel is called The Forgotten Pages, likely releasing in fall 2027. It’s set in Victorian Yorkshire in 1888 at a women’s reformation home. It’s sort of a blend of A Little Princess and The Secret Garden, but for grown-ups.
Earlier this year, I travelled to Yorkshire for research and spent time walking the moors around Haworth. It was beautiful and wonderfully atmospheric, and so inspiring, especially for this book that is part Gothic, part whimsical.
The tagline I’ve been using for this story is: The women history wants you to forget. The magical books that record their history. The adult fairy tale you didn’t know you needed.
Madeline Martin will be appearing at the Bury St Edmunds Literary Festival on Thursday, 8th October at 4.30pm in the United Reformed Church to launch A Time of Witches in the UK. To book tickets prices at £10 per person, £5 concessions, under 18s free. Visit Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival.
Featured image of Madeline Martin by Tori Stauffer
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