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Tag: Book Magic

A magical book and two hands holding glowing lights. A purple transparent cover with the text From Bibliomancers to Bakers_ Magical Women in Fiction
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Leaning Into the Witchy Vibe: Why I’m Embracing Magic in My Author Brand

If you’ve been poking around my Melissa Bourbon Pinterest account or website lately, you might’ve picked up on something new—something a little… witchier. A few more magical pins. Some folklore-inspired content. A definite shift toward that cozy, mystical vibe. Yep. It’s intentional. And honestly, it feels exactly right. Magic has always been a part of my storytelling. From the legacy of bibliomancy in the Book Magic Mysteries to the ancestral threads woven into The Ghost Orchard, I’ve always been drawn to stories where the unseen nudges the ordinary. But for a while, I kept those elements kind of quiet. I stayed in my lanes: cozy mystery author here, writing coach there, folklore enthusiast somewhere else. But I’ve realized… those lanes all lead to the very same place. So I’m leaning into it fully. And that includes my Pinterest presence, my blog content, and the way I talk about my books. Why This Feels Like the Right Move We hear a lot about author branding, and usually it sounds like a marketing buzzword. But for me, it’s not about logos or color palettes. It’s about alignment. About making sure everything I share—from writing tips to story inspiration—feels like me. And the fact is, I love stories filled with intuition, quiet magic, feminine power, ancestral threads, and characters with secrets that stretch back generations. That’s the heart of what I write and teach. So it only makes sense that my content reflects that, too. This Means a Shift in My Pinterest Strategy Magical writing prompts and story structures that tap into archetypes and intuition Behind-the-scenes peeks into the Book Magic world and my new project, The Ghost Orchard Witchy aesthetics (without the pointy hats, unless they’re cute) Seasonal book lists, writing rituals, and folklore-inspired visuals And yes—writing tips! Just with a little more soul and sparkle I’ll be infusing everything with the kind of story magic I love most. It’s less of a pivot and more of a permission slip. One I finally gave myself. If you’re a writer, reader, or dreamer who believes in the magic of storytelling… hello! You’re in the right place. Thanks for following along. I’m so excited to share more of this path with you. xxx, Melissa ✨ Want to explore more story magic? Check out my Pinterest board: Magical Writing Vibes Or dive into the Book Magic Mysteries to see where it all began. Read more about my magical heroines! 

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Pippin Lane Hawthorne from Melissa Bourbon's Book Magic series
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The Bookish Heroine Who Took Me by Surprise

Behind the Book ⏐ The Book Magic Series You know that feeling when a character walks into your story, plops down, and says, “I’m the one you’ve been looking for”? That was Pippin Lane Hawthorne for me. When I began writing The Bibliomancer’s Daughter, the first book in my Book Magic series, I had a loose idea of the story I wanted to tell—family secrets, inherited magic, hidden truths passed down through generations of women. But the moment Pippin appeared in my mind, I knew the story belonged to her. And yes, if you’re wondering, she is named after Peregrin Took from The Lord of the Rings—a not-so-subtle nod to my love of Tolkien. Like her namesake, my Pippin is curious, brave, a little impulsive, and completely devoted to the people she loves (which, at the beginning of the series, are few and far between). ✨ A Little Bit Bookish, A Little Bit Magical Pippin isn’t your typical heroine. She’s not wielding a sword or leading a rebellion—she’s quietly powerful, and her strength comes from her mind, her heart, and her deep connection to the women in her family–and her twin brother Grey (named after Gandalf the Grey). She’s also a bibliomancer, someone with the rare ability to draw truth and insight from books. I was fascinated by the idea of books as magical conduits—and what it would mean to inherit a power that is both beautiful and dangerous. As I wrote, Pippin’s character unfolded in ways I hadn’t planned. She’s: Untrusting and has few friends Filled with fierce determination Brave in quiet, unexpected ways She doesn’t want to be at the center of a dangerous legacy… but she also can’t walk away from it. And honestly, I love her for that. ✨ Inspiration from Real Life Pippin’s last name, Hawthorne, isn’t random, either. In folklore, hawthorn trees are often seen as gateways between worlds—connected to fairies, magic, and protection. Pippin’s world is grounded in reality (if you don’t consider the 2000-year-old Irish curse, of course, but just off-kilter enough to make you wonder what might be hiding behind the veil. Also: fun fact! Her favorite bookshop in the fictional town of Devil’s Cove was inspired by a real place I visited on the Outer Banks in North Carolina. There was something about that cozy, tucked-away shop that begged to be written into a story. ✨ Psst… Want to Meet Her? If you haven’t read The Bibliomancer’s Daughter yet, now’s the perfect time. It’s the first book in a generational series that blends family drama, small-town secrets, and just the right amount of magic. Think Practical Magic meets The Da Vinci Code, with a Southern twist. ? Grab your copy of The Bibliomancer’s Daughter here. And if you’re already a fan of Pippin? I’d love to hear from you! Who are your favorite bookish heroines? What fictional characters have stayed with you long after the final chapter? Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram (@bookishly_cozy) with your thoughts. ? P.S., You can learn a little bit more about Pippin Lane Hawthorne HERE. ? Pin it to Read Later! Want to save this for your next cozy reading night? Pin this post on Pinterest and come back when you’re ready to dive into Pippin’s story! While you’re at it, check out my Pinterest page and follow me there!

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The cover of The Bibliomancer's Daughter on an ereader with a Christmas theme
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Fill your eReader with 5 free books from 5 Authors!

One of the best things about being a writer is being able to give away books to readers. That’s what Emma Jameson, Tonya Kappes, Daryl Wood Gerber, Emma Jameson, and I have done this week with our Christmas in July event. So fill your eReader with 5 free books from 5 Authors! It runs from July 16-20, 2024! Make sure to grab all 5 books while they’re free! Tuesday, July 16: Emma Jameson’s Ice Blue Wednesday, July 17: Cindy Kirk’s One Step Away Thursday, July 18: Daryl Wood Gerber’s Day of Secrets Friday, July 19: Tonya Kappes’s Sleight of Hand Saturday, July 20: Melissa Bourbon’s The Bibliomancer’s Daughter. Click each image to grab that book! Learn more about my Book Magic series HERE.

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