The Dream She Never Told Anyone: Madeline Martin on "A Time of Witches"

For years, author Madeline Martin kept a secret. She had a vivid childhood dream she never shared with a single person. That dream eventually became the seed for her latest novel, A Time of Witches. It's a spellbinding blend of magical realism and historical fiction, and the perfect read to curl up with this fall.

In this episode of Chapter Chat, Madeline opens up about the long road to bringing this story into the world. She was once told flatly that "witches don't sell" and shelved the idea for years until shifting reader tastes finally made the timing right. We talk about what it felt like to finally write the book she'd been holding onto, and how she tackled it with her signature "fast draft" method, turning out a full manuscript in just a month.

The conversation also travels well beyond the page. Madeline shares how on-location research trips shape the authenticity of her historical settings, and she opens up about a deeply personal milestone of returning to college later in life to earn her MFA. It's a goal that traces back to her very first time in school, when she didn't pursue writing simply because she didn't yet know "author" could be a real career. Now, with that degree in hand, she's channeling it into her next chapter. 

Whether you're a longtime fan of Madeline Martin or discovering her for the first time, this episode is a reminder that the best stories sometimes wait decades for the right moment to be told.

Sit back, relax and enjoy Chapter Chat. Hosted by news anchor and avid reader Jessica Foster, Chapter Chat explores the inner workings of the literary world. Episodes will have a combination of best-selling author interviews and discussions of trending literary topics.

Whether you love to read a good book or aspire to write one, you'll find these discussions enjoyable. The Chapter Chat Podcast is an expansion of a WJHG/WECP-TV initiative to share the love of reading with the community. Chapter Chat was awarded the prestigious National Association of Broadcasters Service to America award in 2023.

The initiative began as a monthly book club that encouraged viewers to read along with a selected book and then meet up at the local library to discuss with the news team. Reporters and anchors also visit schools to read to children. The idea is that if children see the adults around them reading, they will learn to love it as well.