I first learned the meaning of the word “portmanteau” during my days as a graduate teaching assistant. I was covering Lewis Carroll’s poem “Jabberwocky” in an introductory fantasy literature course, and I was trying to explain to my students how Carroll went about creating the made-up words in the poem, such as “chortled” and “galumphing.” For example, I talked about how he combined the words “gallop” and “triumph” to come up with the word “galumphing.” I thought there must be a term for such word combinations, so I looked it up. I found out that there is such a word, and the word is “portmanteau.” I flashed back on this memory when I read about Taylor Hartley’s debut novel, Song of the Hell Witch. Alcove Press will officially release the book on September 9, 2025. The publisher is marketing the book as a “romantasy.” Well, the term “romantasy” is a portmanteau. It is a combination of the words “romance” and “fantasy,” and it’s the perfect descriptor for Taylor’s new novel.
By day, Taylor is an English teacher at David W. Butler High School here in Charlotte, but Taylor is also a creative writer. Initially, Taylor wrote short stories, including a story titled “The Vampire.” However, a recent political/legal development prompted Taylor to try writing a novel, and this decision resulted in Song of the Hell Witch. I recently contacted Taylor and asked for more information about the book. Here is what Taylor sent to me:
Song of the Hell Witch is a book born out of rage. When Roe vs. Wade was overturned, my male boss decided to host a meeting to allow the women to “air their feelings,” as he could see that many of us were upset. He then proceeded to talk for the entirety of that meeting, sucking up all the air in the room. Afterwards, I had a sincere desire to grow a pair of talons and rip into him. And then I thought, “What if we lived in a world where women who experienced trauma transformed into mythological creatures capable of fighting against the men who consistently make decisions that negatively impact their own mothers, daughters, and sisters?”
I started to write that evening. About a woman trapped inside a patriarchal society. About the ways she silenced the loudest parts of herself—the roughest parts of herself—in order to thrive in that society. About the good man she had to leave behind to obtain the life she thought she wanted.
Song is a second-chance romance that explores feminism, classism, and what our world could look like if women stopped playing by the patriarchy’s rules and banded together rather than viewing each other as enemies.
I wrote the following summary of the book for marketing purposes.
Rekindled romance spreads new wings in this atmospheric romantasy, where magic empowers women trapped inside an oppressive patriarchy.
This striking novel is perfect for fans of the feminist ideals in When Women Were Dragons and the unique magic system in One Dark Window.
Once a vicious street rat, Prudence Merriweather has clawed her way to the top of society and now enjoys newfound power as the Duchess of Talonsbury. All she has to do to protect her fragile position is maintain the act of gentility, make her husband happy—and keep her monstrous magic a secret.
Puck Reed, the Thief Lord of Talonsbury, once delighted in taking risks and humiliating the social elite at any cost, but now lives a quieter criminal lifestyle. With a daughter of his own to protect, Puck tries to lay low and stay safe for her benefit. His daughter, Bea, suffers from a mysterious illness bent on killing her, and Puck will stop at nothing to find a cure.
When Prudence’s magic betrays her, she has no choice but to flee—and who better to smuggle her out of the city than her childhood best friend and former sweetheart, Puck Reed? With the help of old friends and new allies, they learn about Stormlash, a safe haven miles beyond the city walls where women and their magic can flourish beyond the oppressive eye of Leora’s religious fanatics. Stormlash may also hold the key to curing Bea’s illness. The challenge? Keep her alive long enough to get there.
With Bea’s illness claiming more of her strength, Puck and Pru must work together to reach Stormlash and, in the process, confront a growing evil threatening to devour the country they call home.
Perfect for fans of Carissa Broadbent and Hannah Whitten, this second-chance romantic fantasy features monstrous women stepping into their full power, a father who will do anything to save his daughter, and the rekindled flame of an old, enduring love.
The official launch for Song of the Hell Witch will take place at Park Road Books on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. For more information about this event, please click on the following link: https://parkroadbooks.com/event/2025-09-13/taylor-hartley-discusses-her-book-song-hell-witch
I congratulate Taylor of the upcoming publication of Song of the Hell Witch. Storied Charlotte is home to numerous fantasy writers, including Paul Barrett, A.J. Hartley (no relation to Taylor), John G. Hartness, Darin Kennedy, Gail Z. Martin, Larry Martin, and Nancy Northcott, and now that list includes Taylor Hartley.