The Memory Spinner by C.M. Cornwell

THE MEMORY SPINNER by C.M. Cornwell is an absolute must read. It’s so well put together and engaging that it’s hard to believe it’s a debut from this middle grade author. Have a look:

Since her mama died, thirteen-year-old Lavender has a disastrous memory problem. She forgets her lessons with her papa, an apothecary. She develops elaborate evasions to hide her lack of memory of the herbs and remedies she must learn to attain her dream of being an apothecary apprentice. Worst of all, she forgets memories of her mama.

Despite her papa’s disdain for magic, Lavender seeks a memory remedy from a clothing enchantress named Frey. As the two develop a friendship, Frey uses her spinning magic to help Lavender re-experience past moments with her mama. Lavender hears her mama’s laughter again, her singing voice, and how it felt to be wrapped in her hugs.

But when Lavender discovers the truth about Frey’s magic and its vengeful purpose she must decide whether to stay immersed in beloved memories with her mama or save the people she loves most in the present.

I find it hard to believe that THE MEMORY SPINNER is a debut novel because it is so beautifully written, plotted, and polished. Can you tell us a bit about your journey toward publication?

First of all, thank you. The Memory Spinner, as you might have guessed, isn’t my first novel.

I’ve always been a book lover, a story-analyzer, and a fairytale enthusiast, but I didn’t have the confidence for a long time to attempt my own novel and try for publication. I wrote in small amounts over the years, writing anecdotes for fun, and majoring in English literature in college, but I didn’t devote time to novel-length works until about nine years ago.

I wrote two previous manuscripts before tackling The Memory Spinner, one of which is a YA fantasy that I never finished, and another MG fantasy, which is set to be published in Summer 2027. The Memory Spinner was a passion project that encompassed so much of what I personally love, and I wasn’t sure it would ever be published. To my surprise and delight, it found its perfect home with Penguin Random House, which is a dream come true.

I’m so glad it did! And I love how THE MEMORY SPINNER explores the theme of grief. How did you know this needed to be a part of Lavender’s story, and how did you incorporate that into the magic she encountered?

My original story idea was that Lavender would be struggling with memory loss, but pre-drafting, I didn’t anticipate the theme, hope through grief, playing out as prominently as it did. When I started writing The Memory Spinner, I was dealing with personal grief, as someone close to me was battling an aggressive form of cancer. Not only did it push me to dig deeper into the theme of grief through my writing, but it also compelled me to build an emotional and reflective magic system.

The magic system is built on what might happen if we could re-live impactful moments from our lives, and how bittersweet and tempting it might be to be consumed by the past. I wanted to give Lavender, who lost her mother, the choice between living in the past with her wonderful memories or saving the people she loves most in the present.

As Lavender found hope through her grief, so did I. And now, with the finished book going out to young readers, it’s become my new goal that this book can bring them hope, too.

I’m sure it will. It definitely did for me.

And I love your website! What advice, if any, do you have for authors who want to build an online presence?

Thank you! I feel like I’m still new to this, but some advice I received early on was to build a website and online presence using common threads throughout my stories. I found wisdom in that, because I believe common threads in our art are an honest reflection of what matters and resonates with us most.

In my stories, common threads are family/found family relationships, craft-based magic systems, whimsical and cozy settings, charming animals, and female protagonists who grow into their inner strength. Danika Corrall designed my website, and she did a fantastic job channeling my favorite vibes and themes.

Absolutely. What are some of your current projects?

I’m currently waiting on the next round of developmental edits for my next middle grade book, a contemporary fantasy called The Paper Ballerina, which is slated for Summer 2027 with Delacorte Press/Penguin Random House. It’s Toy Story meets The Velveteen Rabbit, with a seaside setting, a sisterhood theme, and heaps of heart.

In between edits, I’ve been drafting a new upper middle grade manuscript. I can’t say too much about it yet, but it’s one my kids have been encouraging me to write for years, and I’ve finally had the chance to dig in. This manuscript has a more complex magic system than my previous books, and it’s been a challenge, but in the best way. I feel like a kid again, writing this one.

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