This interview originally appeared in the September/October 2022 Horn Book Magazine as part of the Publishers’ Previews: Fall 2022, an advertising supplement that allows participating publishers a chance to each highlight a book from its current list. They choose the books; we ask the questions.

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In Mihi Ever After, the titular heroine and her two friends walk into fairyland through the back of a…refrigerator. As The Clash would ask, should they stay or should they go?

1. Were you ever subjected to what your book calls “indoor recess” and what I call detention?

Ha, I was quite the goody two-shoes in school, so I never got sent in for indoor recess. That’s part of what’s made Mihi such fun to write; she’s so different from me at that age, and she tends to form big, bold plans without entirely thinking them through. I was more like Mihi’s friends, Reese and Savannah, who actually chose indoor recess. It was a good time to read!

2. What secret princess-y desire do you herein announce to the world?

I’ve always wanted magic to be real. This was true when I was Mihi’s age, and it’s still true now. It’s why I write. Writing books sometimes feels like magic — and writing for kids, even more so.

3. Who was your favorite princess in childhood? Now?

Like many bookish children, I loved Belle, and spent many Halloweens dressed as her. Now, with movies like Moana and Raya and the Last Dragon, I love that Disney’s starting to expand their portrayal of who “gets” to be a princess. For better or worse, Disney has a huge influence on our culture and on kids’ idea of who they’re supposed to be. There’s still a long way to go regarding diversity — from cultural backgrounds, to body types and traditional beauty standards, to sexuality — and I hope Disney continues in that direction.

4. Which supporting characters in fairy tales are most unfairly dismissed?

Villains! I’m not sure if they’re unfairly dismissed, necessarily, but I always want to hear more about them. I’m writing the second Mihi book now, which focuses on ­villains, and I’m having a lot of fun with it.

5. What is your favorite portal fantasy?

I’ve always loved portal fantasies, and for many years, that was my absolute favorite genre to read. I loved the classics, from the Narnia books to the Magic Treehouse series. But my all-time favorite was a series called Avalon: Web of Magic. In fourth grade, I introduced it to my best friend, and we “played” it every day during recess.

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Photo: Saavedra Photography.