Big Books of 2026
Susan Kicklighter
Susan Kicklighter asked Deborah Harkness:

At your signing in Coral Gables, you spoke a bit about your process for historical research. But, how/where/with whom did you conduct the research into witchcraft? Did you operate under the same "Swiss cheese" model as you did with the historical fiction, building on fact and filling in the holes?

Deborah Harkness well, as a historian of the occult sciences in the Renaissance (magic, alchemy, astrology, cabala, etc.) I've done a lot of reading and research on witchcraft throughout my academic career starting as an undergraduate in 1982. And I've taught courses on the history of witches and witchcraft numerous times so much of that information was at my fingertips.
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Gillian
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Alien Superstar
Alien Superstar asked Deborah Harkness:

So, extremely random question. But are there any characters in your book that are People of Color? Sometimes you would describe someone as dark skinned and I wondered and got ridiculously excited.

Stephanie
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