Picture an American storyteller who spun tales of fire witches and reanimated mice in a world brimming with whimsy—meet C.M. Waggoner! This fantasy author, known for her enchanting novels like Unnatural Magic and The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry, crafts stories that blend Victorian-inspired settings with queer romance and sharp humor. Her unique voice has captivated readers, offering intimate, character-driven narratives that subvert traditional fantasy tropes.
With a knack for creating worlds where magic feels as real as a muddy swamp, Waggoner’s work invites readers to laugh, love, and ponder the complexities of human (and troll) nature. Let’s dive into her journey from swampy upstate New York to the shelves of fantasy fans worldwide.
The Making of C.M. Waggoner
Growing up in rural upstate New York, C.M. Waggoner spent her childhood immersed in fantasy novels, often reading in a swamp—an origin story as quirky as her prose. She honed her craft at SUNY Purchase, studying creative writing, before embarking on an eight-year adventure in China. Now settled in Albany, NY, with her husband, Waggoner’s eclectic background infuses her work with a playful yet grounded perspective. Influences like Tamora Pierce, P.G. Wodehouse, and Terry Pratchett shaped her love for witty dialogue and subversive storytelling, sparking her desire to reimagine fantasy tropes with a modern twist.
C.M. Waggoner’s Unforgettable Stories
Waggoner’s debut, Unnatural Magic (2019), introduced readers to a Victorian-inspired world where trolls and humans navigate love, murder, and magical academies. The story follows Onna, a brilliant spell-writer denied arcane education, and Tsira, a troll seeking her place, weaving themes of gender, power, and found family. Praised for its “haunting, magical” narrative, it earned accolades from authors like Tamora Pierce.
In The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry (2021), Waggoner returns to the same universe with Dellaria Wells, a fire witch and petty thief turned bodyguard. Delly’s crass, inventive slang and sapphic romance with Winn Cynallum shine in a tale of necromantic conspiracies and reanimated mice named Buttons. Reviewers lauded its “whimsical, fantastical” style and Pratchett-esque humor. Her latest, The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society (2024), blends cozy mystery with supernatural hijinks, inspired by Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Murder, She Wrote.
Waggoner’s style is a delightful mix of sharp banter, intricate world-building, and intimate stakes. Her queer-norm worlds and focus on marginalized voices—gutterwitches, trolls, and misfits—offer fresh perspectives on fantasy, making her stories both accessible and profound.
Why C.M. Waggoner Matters
C.M. Waggoner’s impact lies in her ability to make fantasy feel personal. By centering queer characters and smaller, human stories, she challenges the genre’s epic norms, resonating with readers who crave diversity and relatability. Her playful prose and thoughtful themes—class, addiction, identity—elevate her work beyond escapism, earning her a dedicated following and critical praise. As she continues to explore new worlds, Waggoner is carving a niche as a bold, inclusive voice in fantasy.
- Key Works: Unnatural Magic (2019), The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry (2021), The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society (2024)
- Influences: Tamora Pierce, P.G. Wodehouse, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman
- Hobbies: Volunteering, gardening (badly), and petting dogs
Ready to fall in love with a fire witch or a demon-hunting librarian? Snag The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry and dive into C.M. Waggoner’s whimsical fantasy world!