The Making of a Witch

A Novel

Published by She Writes Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
LIST PRICE $17.99

About The Book

Inspired by true events, this novel tells the tale of young Alice Molland, who must grapple with accusations of witchcraft and the persecution of women with mysterious gifts in turbulent seventeenth-century England.

In the tumultuous era of seventeenth-century Exeter, England, ten-year-old Alice Molland is forced to attend the brutal execution of her mentor in the healing arts, Goody Luscombe, who has been condemned to death for witchcraft.

In the years that follow, with her use of herbs such as mugwort, slippery elm, and comfrey, Alice becomes well known as a magical healer. But such gifts come accompanied by danger in the misogynistic age she lives in, and it’s only a matter of time before a prominent Exeter merchant raises suspicion that she is a witch. When a love spell leads to an unexpected pregnancy, Alice becomes a target and must flee for her life.

About The Author

Judy Molland began her career as a high school teacher of French, English, and Spanish, and soon added freelance writer to her job description. Her articles and blog posts have appeared in numerous publications, including Parents, New York NewsDay, and Care2.com. She has published two nonfiction books, Straight Talk About Schools Today and Get Out! 150 Easy Ways for Kids and Grown-Ups to Get Into Nature and Build a Greener Future. The Making of a Witch is her first work of fiction. She grew up in England before moving to California. She now lives in Missoula, Montana.

Product Details

  • Publisher: She Writes Press (June 9, 2026)
  • Length: 256 pages
  • ISBN13: 9798896363248

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Raves and Reviews

“Based on historical records and events, The Making of a Witch by Judy Molland is a profound and poignant story. Set in England in the mid-seventeenth-century, the book accurately describes the risks and challenges women healers had to endure during that era. . . . This well-written story with its compelling plot and authentic storyworld thoroughly captivated me from the first to the last page.”Readers’ Favorite, 5-star review

“Those with an interest in this era of history will appreciate how Judy Molland, a descendant of the real-life Alice Molland, uses the sparse details known about her ancestor to spin a tale of resilience in the face of constant misfortune.”—BookLife Reviews

“Alice’s impressive drive to help others and to be true to herself, no matter the consequences, will have readers rooting for her when her circumstances look the most dire. An engrossing story of one of the last accused witches in England’s history.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A must-read for lovers of the historical fiction genre.”—B. J. Daniels, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author

The Making of a Witch sweeps the reader into the daily life of seventeenth-century England, with all its danger and struggle. Readers will root for Alice.”—Terri Lewis, author of Behold the Bird in Flight

“Judy Molland shows why we need historical fiction—to grapple with what history omits. Official documents record the names and fates of those charged with witchcraft, but we know little of them as human beings.”—Martha Jean Johnson, author of The Queen’s Musician

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