June 13, 2026
YOU GUYS.
I know I’ve been away for a while, but YOU GUYS.
I have a book contract!
Here is the 
I was so excitecd, I made my agent take a screenshot of it. The text reads:
TOIL AND TROUBLE by Maren Anderson Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic Western [Oregon] University instructor Maren Anderson’s TOIL AND TROUBLE, analyizing witches in historical literature and legends from around the world, and how their depiction is a reflection of both the patriarchy and how women were viewed in each time and place, to Christen Karniski at Bloomsbury Academic for publication fall 2027, by Elisa Saphier at McGregor and Luedeke (world English).
In other words, I look at witches and other magical women in literature, fairy tales, and stories and then compare the way the fictional women are treated to how real-life women of the time were treated.
It’s been fascinating.
So since this time last year, I have been writing this book. Now I am finishing the first draft of my final chapter! This summer, I will polish the whole book and track down stray references and image rights. I turn the whole thing in on September 15, 2026.
I am also (slowly) launching a Substack called “Witch of the Week,” which will feature witches that I encounter in my research. It will not be weekly, but it will be witchy. You can find it here, but I may not have posted anything yet. If you get my newsletter, I have already added you to the list for the Substack, but you can remove yourself. I promise won’t be offended.
Do you have a favorite witch story? Let me know and I may feature it in an upcoming post! Until then, hex you later.