By Natalie Butz
Copy Editor
Washington College is celebrating the success of another notable literary alum. Jessica Spotswood `02 was recently offered a high six-figure deal by Putnam Kids for the world rights to her Cahill Witch trilogy. “Born Wicked,” the first book in the series, will be released by Putnam next spring.
“Born Wicked” centers around Cate Cahill and her sisters. All are considered odd in their community, but it’s better than the real truth: they are witches. Cate and her sisters must make sure no one, not even their father, finds out about their hidden powers. Discovery could mean imprisonment or death at the hands of the priests of the Brotherhood. But concealing this secret becomes harder and harder for Cate after a new governess enters the house. Toss in a full social schedule, unwanted proposals, and an even more unwanted crush on the new gardener, and keeping such a secret becomes downright impossible.
Spotswood said she originally came up with the idea in September of 2009, but put “Born Wicked” aside while she queried her first book. After she was offered representation with Jim McCarthy at Dystel & Goderich, Spotswood returned to the Cahill sisters. She spent much of last year writing and revising the manuscript and then, on Tues. Feb. 15, the pitch for Spotswood’s novel went out in the DGLM newsletter.
“The response was completely unexpected,” said Spotswood on her blog. “[There were] nine requests within the first hour the DGLM newsletter went out and twelve editors interested by the following Tuesday morning.”
Her recent contract has meant big changes for Spotswood, including leaving her day job at Catholic University Press to write full time. But it will still be a while before Spotswood is able to start work on the second Cahill book.
“My editor and I are still working on revisions for the first book. We’re doing the first round of edits in May, a second round of edits in June and then copy edits in July. I probably won’t be able to work on the next book until the text for this one is finalized,” she said.
Spotswood is very grateful for the support she has received along the way, particularly from her husband, playwright and WC alum Stephen Spotswood `99, who is often the first to see and critique her work.
“We met at WC,” said Jess Spotswood. “We do work together. We don’t collaborate per say, but we have writing dates where we’ll go to coffee shops, sit at the same table and write together. He likes to listen to music, so I need to tap his hand if I ever want to say, ‘What’s this word I’m thinking of?’”
“We brainstorm together a lot. We’ll sit together on the porch and have some wine and talk about whatever it is we’re working on. I read his plays before anyone else and he reads every one of my chapters as they come out. So we definitely give each other a lot of feedback.”
Spotswood also said her experiences in WC’s drama department helped sharpen her writing skills.
“I read so many plays and that definitely helped me develop an ear for dialogue. Most plays are pretty tight plot-wise so they helped me in that aspect as well. I also think the collaborative nature of theatre in general has made me a very collaborative writer. All the feedback you get in drama definitely makes it easier to take criticism,” she said.
Spotswood is still in shock about the overwhelming response to Born Wicked, but calls it a “happy, happy shock.”
For more about Jessica, her path to publication and the Cahill Witch trilogy, visit her blog at jessicaspotswood.com.
April 8, 2011
Volume LXXXI Issue 21