THEY CALLED US WITCH (HarperFire) coming autumn 2026!

Harper Fire is ‘thrilled to announce’ the acquisition of narrative non-fiction They Called Us Witch by Ellen Ryan.

Publishing in hardback in September 2026, and illustrated by Imogen Oh and Anastasia Stefurak, They Called Us Witch reveals ‘ten powerful narratives of women who shaped their cultures and inspired change through their magic and wisdom.’ It will be the first non-fiction title on the Harper Fire imprint.

Since childhood, I've felt, innately, that magic exists inside women, of all ages and stages in life. For years, I’ve sought out stories where this truth is undeniable. These stories offer glimpses into cultures we rarely discover in school. They inspire a deeper connection to nature and mindfulness. They call upon us to conjure social change as much as magic, and to defiantly celebrate our otherness.

I'm excited to finally share this passion project - They Called Us Witch - which was aqu

ired by @hollytonks @harperfirebooksHolly and the team at Harper Fire share my conviction; that women of magic are an important part of our collective feminist history. And their integrity, vision and creativity have helped shape this book into something I'm incredibly proud to put into the world. Publishing in hardback in September 2026, and illustrated by the powerfully talented @imogen.oh and Anastasia Stefurak,

They Called Us Witch will reveal ten narratives of women who shaped their cultures and inspired change through their magic and wisdom. It will be the first non-fiction title on the Harper Fire imprint. It is intended for teen and YA readers.True stories. True magic. Discover the untold stories of powerful women who have been labelled as witches throughout history—not the kind that ride broomsticks, but real priestesses, wise women, and healers who defied oppression.

From a Haitian Vodou priestess who fought for freedom, and an Irish wise-woman who healed the hungry during a famine, to a Japanese shaman-queen who brought peace to her land. This collection invites readers to connect with their global histories and culture through powerful narrativesCelebrate these daughters of magic—each story a spark that ignites our own power.