Wednesday, January 15, 2025
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Anna Rasche: Getting the First Draft Onto the Page Was the Most Difficult Step

Anna Rasche is a historian and gemologist who has previously worked in the jewelry collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and as a curatorial fellow at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Rasche’s debut is based on original research she conducted on the uses of gemstones in medieval medicine at the Cooper Hewitt Museum and on site in Italy. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and infant daughter. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

Anna Rasche

Photo by Natural Studio NYC

In this interview, Anna discusses the decade that went into the writing of her debut novel, The Stone Witch of Florence, her hope for readers, and more.

Name: Anna Rasche
Literary agent: Stefanie Lieberman at Janklow & Nesbit
Book title: The Stone Witch of Florence
Publisher: Park Row Books (HarperCollins)
Expected release date: October 8, 2024
Genre/category: Historical Fiction/Fantasy
Elevator pitch: The Stone Witch of Florence is a historical whodunnit, featuring a young woman who draws on the ancient magic of gemstones to investigate a deadly mystery in plague-stricken Florence.

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What prompted you to write this book?

I’m a gemologist and jewelry historian by trade and was researching medieval texts about the magical and medicinal powers of gemstones. This is when the stone witch—a woman with a coral amulet that could ward off plague—appeared in my mind and stuck there.

How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?

10 years(!) Of course, a lot of this was not writing time (life, day job, etc.). And within that, the time frame from querying agents to publication will be about three years. The major themes of the book have remained consistent, but some of the early plot/character arcs I conceived were majorly overhauled or cut altogether. This was because as a “pantser,” I went down a lot of side roads that were superfluous to the central story. It was a massacre of darlings!

Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?

I was blown away by how many people besides the author have a hand in a book’s success. I mean beta readers, agents, editor, publisher, cover artists, publicity team, sales team, booksellers, librarians, reviewers … it truly takes a village! I am humbled by the effort and care others have taken in bringing this novel to life and getting it in front of readers.

Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?

Besides how long it took me to finish writing it? I was surprised to find out how much I enjoyed the editing process. Everyone is different, but for me getting the first draft onto the page was the most difficult step; polishing it up afterwards was the fun part.

What do you hope readers will get out of your book?

First, I hope they will get an entertaining and surprising read. Second, I hope they will come away with a sense of optimism, that it is possible to show up for your community, your loved ones, and yourself, even if it seems like the world has never been in a darker place.

If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?

Support your fellow authors and take heart in their success—it means it’s possible for you too. Read their books, go to their events, reach out and tell them you like their stuff. Mentor a newbie. Join local writing/beta reading groups, participate(kindly) in online communities … whatever. It’s inspiring and will keep you from getting stuck in your own head. 


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