Join us for an evening with Autumn K. England, who will read from their new novel, Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous. A conversation with Alix E. Harrow will follow. This in-person event will be free and open to the public. We recommend arriving early for the best seating.
About the Book: When Oaklin Nettlewood accidentally joined an evil world-ending cult, mind control magic forced them to do unspeakable things. Years later, the realm’s heroes have finally saved the day, defeated the villain, and shattered the last remnants of the spell…leaving destruction in their wake. And so, with a spell-damaged memory and whole bushel of trauma, Oaklin escapes to a small farm on the edge of Mossley’s Rest and swears an oath: After all the things they were forced to do with their magic, they will never use it again. Ever.
The no-nonsense ghost granny who lives in Oaklin’s house has other ideas. As she coaxes Oaklin out of their shell and back into the world, they find companionship (a grumpy horse and a very good dog), friendship (a local bard and magical baker who should just kiss already), and tentative romance (a paladin-librarian who makes Oaklin’s heart come alive for the first time in ages.) Magic even seems possible again—though strictly for foraging magical mushrooms and protecting the farm from bugs.
Healing comes in gentle waves, and Oaklin doesn’t have to do it alone. So what does it mean when an inquisitor comes to town to hunt former cultists just as Oaklin begins to think that maybe, just maybe, they deserve a happy ending after all?
About the Author: Autumn K. England (also known as MK England) grew up on the Space Coast of Florida watching shuttle launches from the backyard. These days, they live on a micro-farm in rural Virginia packed with video and board games, plants, D&D books, and their kindergartener’s giant personality. They’re probably covered in dirt right now. MK is the author of thirteen novels for kids, teens, and adults, including the forthcoming Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous. You can find them at mkengland.com.
About the Moderator: Alix E. Harrow is the New York Times–bestselling and Hugo Award–winning author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January, The Once and Future Witches, Starling House, The Everlasting, and various short fiction. A former adjunct and Kentuckian, Harrow now lives in Virginia with her husband and their two semi-feral kids.
Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous will be released on June 2. To order the book, please see below for the New Dominion Bookshop book order form or call the shop at 434-295-2552.
"Start with a cup of cozy fantasy, add a sprinkle of found family, and bake in the warm glow of self-forgiveness and acceptance. The end result is a charming story of love, magic, and community as sweet as one of Oaklin's apples and as soft as Ryn's charmed sweet rolls."
—Delilah S. Dawson
New Dominion Bookshop Book Order Form
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Autumn K. England/MK England Photo Credit: MK England
Alix E. Harrow Photo Credit: Elora Overbey