AUTHOR BIO
Cassie Beasley is from rural Georgia, where, when she's not writing, she helps out on the family pecan farm. She earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. The Bootlace Magician is the sequel to her first novel, Circus Mirandus, which was a New York Times bestseller and a New York Times Notable Children's Book. Her second book, Tumble & Blue, was received with widespread critical acclaim.
CIRCUS MIRANDUS
Even though his awful Great-Aunt Gertrudis doesn’t approve, Micah believes in the stories his dying Grandpa Ephraim tells him of the magical Circus Mirandus: the invisible tiger guarding the gates, the beautiful flying birdwoman, and the magician more powerful than any other—the Man Who Bends Light. Finally, Grandpa Ephraim offers proof. The Circus is real. And the Lightbender owes Ephraim a miracle. With his friend Jenny Mendoza in tow, Micah sets out to find the Circus and the man he believes will save his grandfather. The only problem is, the Lightbender doesn't want to keep his promise. And now it's up to Micah to get the miracle he came for.
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THE BOOTLACE MAGICIAN
Fans of Cassie Beasley's New York Times best-selling novel Circus Mirandus have long been clamoring for one thing: to go back to the circus! They will finally get their wish in this masterpiece of a sequel with even more magical creatures and surprises.
INTERVIEW WITH CASSIE BEASLEY
Were you a big reader as a kid? When did you start to write?
I was a huge reader as a kid! My parents were avid fans of sci-fi and fantasy, so I grew up making my way through their collection of books. I didn’t quite realize being a writer was a real job until I was in sixth grade. But once I had that realization, I was hooked. I started trying to write my first ever book. I bogged down halfway through, and I felt like I’d failed. But I think nothing you create is ever wasted. It’s interesting how slivers of that first story show up in my work even now.
What is your favorite book of all time (aside from your own)?
I think sometimes books become favorites because they come into your life right when you need them, and if you read them at a different moment they might not hit you quite as strongly. A few books that found me at the right moment are: Holesby Louis Sachar, The Silent Gondoliers by William Goldman, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, and Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh.
Is it true that your sister is also an author? Do you share your writing with each other?
Yes! My sister, Kate, is a children’s book author as well. Her books are Gertie’s Leap to Greatness and Lions & Liars. We share all of our writing with each other before it goes out into the wider world. I trust her opinion so much that I’ve spent months doing rewrites based on her advice, and it’s always helped me to make my stories better.
Your first book, Circus Mirandus, was based on a magical circus and a very special relationship between a grandfather and his grandson, Micah. Did a certain character drive the story or was it the circus itself that sparked your creativity?
The circus is important, but Micah is the driving force. At its heart, Circus Mirandus is a story about him discovering his own strength, finding a friend in Jenny Mendoza, and coming to terms with the fact that his grandpa is dying. In the first book, I wanted to set a lot more scenes at the circus. It’s a place full of joy and magic and interesting characters, and I wanted to let everyone get to know it like I did. But that kind of story didn’t fit tonally with what was going on in Micah’s life, and you’ve got to let your protagonist lead the way. That’s why I’m so excited about The Bootlace Magician. I finally get to take readers back to the circus, and this time, they get to explore every nook and cranny. Micah is also learning so much more about his own magic in this book, and readers will get to do that with him.
Why did you write about the circus? Did you love the circus as a child?
I loved the carnivals my parents took me to every year. We always went at night. My favorite was a tiny local one right down the road from our house. They had pancakes and hay rides around Halloween. I met a fortune teller there when I was younger than Micah is in the story, and I think she was probably my first ever magician. I was mesmerized. Everything she said felt important. I also read an interview with Ray Bradbury, where he talked about meeting a circus performer named Mr. Electrico. Mr. Electrico showed him how to do a magic trick, and their meeting set him on the path to becoming a writer. That interview reminded me of how magical the circus felt when I was little. Of what a great space it is—caught between the real world and someplace more mysterious—for fantasy.
Where does the word Mirandus come from?
I spent a few days researching different Latin words for the circus’s name. I wanted something that felt just right. Mirandus means wondrous or marvelous.
What’s the best food to get at a circus?
Cotton candy! Pink.
My favorite quote from Circus Mirandusis “Once in a while, it is good to be ridiculous and amazing.” What is your favorite quote and why?
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.” I’ve liked it since I was a teenager, and it’s the sort of quote you can’t outgrow.
If you were able to perform magic, what would your go to trick be?
There’s a character in the book called Rosebud. She makes potions that can do all sorts of things, but mostly, she’s a healer. I think I would want to have a bag full of potions that could make people feel like the best versions of themselves for a few hours. You know how sometimes you really, really need to have a good day where you’re firing on all cylinders and your head is in the game, but weeks and weeks go by and you don’t have a day like that? I’d like to have a potion to handle that. I would pass them out to everyone I met.
Does The Bootlace Magician continue the story of Micah, the hero from book one?
It does! The Bootlace Magician is all about Micah’s life after the events of Circus Mirandus. He’s growing as a magician and discovering new facets of his power. He’s learning so much about who he is and what he can do and the circus is in trouble because Micah’s villainous grandmother, Victoria Starling, is back and she’s more powerful than ever.
What would be your advice to aspiring young writers?
First, read lots of books. And read them joyfully. Find what you love and dive into it headfirst. Second, just start writing. And don’t be upset when it’s not perfect. That’s normal. Nothing I write is perfect. I go through many, many drafts before I’m happy with a story. Third, share your writing with someone who will encourage you and cheer you on!
