Interview with Markelle Grabo, author of CALL FORTH A FOX

 

I am so excited to share today's interview with Markelle Grabo with everyone! I was enthralled by Markelle's book, Call Forth a Fox, and getting to pick her brain about the book was so much fun!! I hope everyone enjoys the interview! Thank you so much to Markelle for taking part in this interview. As always, links to follow her on social media or purchase her book will be at the included at the end of the interview.
     

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I absolutely love retellings and this book is a retelling of "Snow White and Rose Red." Where did you get the idea to do a queer retelling of that story?

I've always loved retellings, and when I decided to write one myself, I chose a story I didn't grow up with so I could bring a fresh perspective to my interpretation. From my first read-through, "Snow White and Rose Red" seemed like the perfect fairy tale for a queer reimagining. Rose Red has a lot of queer subtext to her character. She's not as traditionally feminine as her sister, and has a more wild and care free physicality to her. Animal transformation in fairy tales is often queer-coded as well, and I loved the idea of exploring both in a retelling. I'm also frustrated by the overwhelmingly heteronormative ending of the original story. Snow White marries the prince and Rose Red marries the prince's brother - a character we never meet! Almost like the ending is trying to prove the story can't be queer. This inspired me to make queerness my retelling's driving force.

Very valid reasons! I have very little knowledge of that fairy tale, but it definitely sounds like forced heteronormativity. I love reimagining that for you though! I also liked that you chose a new-to-you fairy tale.
Do you have an idea of how long it took you to write this book? From initial idea to final edits or anything like that.

I completed a first draft and a first revision of the novel back in 2018 as my creative thesis for my grad program in writing for children and young adults. Then I later revised the novel a second time while querying agents. After I signed with my agent, we went on submission to editors. One more revision later, and the book was under contract with Page Street. Final edits took place in the fall of 2023, so it took about six years for the novel to be fully complete and ready for publication.

That's really cool actually! I love that you stuck with the book! I also appreciate a book that's taken longer to get right. I've not been able to finish a book yet and that gives me more hope as an aspiring writer.
What sort of changes did the book or characters go through as you wrote and edited?

I think the greatest change was the point of view. Initially, the story was in close third person, but I got a lot of feedback from agents about feeling distant from my main character. So I paused querying and revised the novel to be in first person, which was a huge undertaking, and I relied a lot on my writer friends and mentors to help me through that process. But it was worth it, because that first person version is what helped me secure an agent.

Ooh that is a big change to make with the book! I'm impressed. I'm also glad, I think first person suited the story well!
How did you come up with the title Call Forth a Fox?

Call Forth a Fox is actually not the novel's original title! The original title was Roses in the Wood (as a nod to the fairy tale), but when I started working with my editor at Page Street, she suggested we come up with something to make the novel stand out more. So I spent a week brainstorming - jotting down phrases and symbols from the novel, making different arrangements, playing around with random title generators - and eventually I came up with Call Forth a Fox. My editor brought that title and one she had come up with to the publisher, and they decided on Fox. It's sometimes hard to remember that the novel was ever called anything else. The title feels so perfect now.

Love a title that has been on a journey!! I like the original title, but something about the current title just fits so perfectly!
The Faeries have very distinctive designs and looks to them. How did you come up with their designs?

I can't get into too much detail because of spoilers, but I sought to make the faeries and their magic rooted in nature. They are creatures of the forest, and I wanted their design to reflect that. I was also inspired in part by the faerie artists I loved growing up, most notably Amy Brown.

You did a great job with that!!!
Do you have a favorite scene or line from the book?

My favorite scene will always be the one early in the novel where my main character, Ro, saves the red fox from the bear only to realize the bear is a boy, which acts as a catalyst for all the events that follow. It was thrilling to write and it's equally thrilling to read aloud. A close second would be a scene later in the novel when Ro and her love interest, Colette, forage together at night. It's very dreamy and atmospheric.

I love that scene! Both of them actually! There were a lot of good scenes but the one with Ro saving the fox was so amazing!!
What has been the most rewarding part of the process? What has been the hardest?

The most rewarding part was that I got to release the book of my heart as my debut. Call Forth a Fox is the fairy tale retelling I needed as a teen, and I hope other readers, young and old, find some of the comfort in its pages that I found while writing it. The hardest part was all the waiting - waiting to get an agent, waiting to get an editor, waiting for the cover reveal, waiting for the release day. I always say if there's one thing publishing has taught me, it's patience!

Congratulations! I am so glad that you got the chance to do that! That's so valid though. Waiting and patience is hard.
Call Forth a Fox is your debut novel. What has your experience been like with publishing this book?

I think publishing is a rollercoaster experience for most writers, but especially for debuts. There's so much uncertainty and discovery. There are highs and lows, sometimes in the same week, sometimes in the same day! Your expectations are constantly in flux because everything is new. But I'm grateful to be in this position, turbulence and all, because it's given me the chance to shares my story with the world.

That is very well worded!
Are there any books you're looking forward to reading (queer preferred, but all are welcome)?

There are so many queer YA books by 2024 debuts that are on my TBR, but I'll settle for mentioning just three! Dear Wendy by Ann Zhao, Mighty Millie Novak by Elizabeth Holden, and The Marble Queen by Anna Kopp.

I am so looking forward to reading those books too!!!! I've got a couple of them, but haven't gotten around to reading them yet!
Thank you so much for reading this interview! I greatly appreciated the chance to interview Markelle and I loved learning more about Call Forth a Fox! If you've read the book, I would love to know your thoughts.

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You can find Markelle Grabo on their website, Instagram, Twitter, and Threads.

You can buy Markelle Grabo's books from Hyperbole Bookstore, Books of Wonder, and Blue House Books. These stores may have signed books or bookplates!

If you can't buy her books but you still want to read them, consider requesting them to your local library or suggesting them on Overdrive!