A Conversation with Sarah Penner
Celebrating The Amalfi Curse
We are big fans of Sarah Penner here at Friends & Fiction! We’ve hosted her on our show twice before—in January 2021 on the web show to discuss her debut novel The Lost Apothecary (WATCH that interview), and again in 2023 on the podcast to chat about her second novel, The London Seance Society (LISTEN to that interview). This week, Sarah’s highly anticipated third novel comes out and we are so exited she agreed to chat with us here for our newsletter all about The Amalfi Curse. In this spellbinding new novel, a nautical archaeologist searching for sunken treasure unearths a centuries-old curse, powerful witchcraft, and perilous love on the high seas. Publishers Weekly says, “Penner keeps the pages turning with cliffhangers and complex characters.” Emilia Hart (Weyward and The Sirens) calls the book “a magical read.” And Rachel Hawkins (The Heiress and The Villa) says “this book will have you swooning, gasping, tearing up, and if you’re anything like me, Googling flights to Positano immediately. Prepare to be swept away!” Join us in welcoming Sarah Penner and grab your copies of The Amalfi Curse now!
Publishers Weekly describes The Amalfi Curse as “a rousing story of witches, deep sea diving, and family secrets on the Amalfi Coast.” Your publisher calls it “an enthralling story of secrets, shipwrecks, and sea-witches.” How would you describe this novel? And, a favorite question here at F&F—what would you say The Amalfi Curse is really about?
The Amalfi Curse tells the story of Haven Ambrose, a present-day nautical archaeologist investigating a cluster of mysterious shipwrecks off the coast of Positano. As her underwater exploration deepens, she begins to suspect the wrecks are related to a coven of witches who lived in the village two hundred years earlier. It’s a story about long-buried secrets, forbidden romance, sacrifice, and the meaning of treasure: what it is, what it isn’t.
Talk to us about the legendary art of stregheria, the Italian word for witchcraft and the magical ability to harness the power of the ocean. How did you learn of this and what inspired you to write about it? What draws you to the supernatural as a recurring theme in your novels?
I learned about stregheria while researching the rich lore and legends of Italy. Although witchcraft is a broad topic, I decided that the streghe in my story would have power over one thing: the sea. As a scuba diver and a resident of Florida, I’ve always wanted to write a story that takes place by the ocean. Given the murky history around stregheria, I had ample creative liberty regarding the worldbuilding aspect of The Amalfi Curse. The seven incantations are entirely my invention, as are the sea-spell tools, or attrezzo, used by the women—my playful attempt at imagining what the sea-witches of Positano might have found symbolic or useful in their witchcraft.
I like to describe my books as “historical fiction with elements of magic and mystery.” My books are cross-genre, and I love writing in this layered space. The ability to blend history with fantastical or speculative elements allows me quite a lot of creative freedom. I don’t have to adhere to facts as much — and I’m a bit of a natural born rule breaker!
Talk to us about your research. There is a lot of scuba diving detail and nautical archaeology in this book. Did you go diving to inform your writing process? Is this something you’d already done prior to writing this book or did you learn it for the novel? How did you ensure you got this deep-sea detail just right on the page?
My husband and I have been scuba diving for more than ten years. We’ve gone diving all over the world, including lots of wreck diving in the Florida Keys. One of my favorite parts of writing the book was immersing the reader in the sensory details of underwater exploration, based on my own experiences scuba diving. While researching this book, I also acquired two online certifications in maritime archaeology through the Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS.) And, lastly, I hired a nautical historian to read the book and highlight errors and anachronisms. Her feedback was invaluable!
Speaking of research, you really bring the gorgeous Italian setting of Naples, Positano, and the sea-swept cliffs of the Amalfi Coast to life so vividly on the page. Did you have to suffer for your art with a trip to this breathtaking locale? With your first two novels both set in London, was it a conscious choice to shift settings for your third?
With my first two books set in London, I wanted to “spread my wings,” so to speak, and I didn’t want to be known only for my stories set in the back alleyways of old London.
My husband and I visited the Amalfi Coast in 2022—this was my “inspiration trip”—and again in 2023—my “research trip.” Positano is feast for the senses: the cuisine, the views, the wine. I took notes on my phone during these trips, capturing every detail: the sparrows flitting in and out of roof soffits, stone walls dripping with hot-pink bougainvillea, the aroma of olive oil in the air. So many early readers have said this book transported them right into the heart of the Amalfi Coast.
In the book, your characters use a genealogical database to locate descendants of the streghe. Have you researched your own ancestry? Is this something you were particularly keen on prior to writing this novel?
As a child, I had some unusual interests—including genealogy. In middle school, when many of my classmates were talking about sleepovers and boys, I found myself obsessed with genealogy, census records, and building my family tree. This former interest didn’t make it into my first books, so it was fun to weave a bit of genealogy into The Amalfi Curse!
This novel is a real page-turner replete with cliff-hangers and loads of adventure. Was The Amalfi Curse as fun to write as it was to read?
Anyone who’s read my books knows I love writing a good twist! My goal is to deliver the reader a big surprise in the third act—and then flip that on its head and deliver yet another surprise, perhaps even bigger!
What can you tell us about your writing process in piecing this story together? Did you plot this out with a detailed outline, make it up as you went along, or somewhere in between? In other words: are you a plotter or a pantser?
I began with an outline, but as it often goes, I diverged plenty of times as I wrote the story. I distinctly remember calling my agent when I was drafting the story, trying to bail on the story premise altogether because it wasn’t coming together for me. She encouraged me to stick with it, and I’m so glad I did. I like to write my books in three acts: I outline, draft, and do a very broad-stroke revision on each act before moving forward.
In your books you tend to imagine what strong women in history, whose stories were often silenced, might have been up to. Why do you think it is so important to bring these strong female voices to the fore? Your books have been described as “feminist historical thrillers.” Do you consider yourself a feminist?
I definitely consider myself a feminist, and I’m so glad that much of what we see in the historical fiction space is women-centric. Women have always held key roles in communities and families, and they’ve always been faced with difficult choices laced with risk and consequence. I love writing books about women who are “best in class” or skilled in their area of expertise. In The Amalfi Curse, we meet both Mari—the leader of her coven of witches—and Haven, a trailblazing nautical archaeologist. Of course, both women find themselves in impossibly difficult predicaments, and they must draw on their strength and cunning to manage a way out.
You have an incredible book club kit for The Amalfi Curse on your website with some mouthwatering recipes. There’s even a lemon sugar scrub! Tell us about putting that together. What inspired these creations? Have you made them all yourself?
I love meeting with book clubs, and I love creating book club kits! I think recipes and “activities” make the book a more fun, immersive experience. I try to provide ideas that match the story’s vibe. And yes, I absolutely experiment with every recipe before including it in my books. Readers love the rosemary shortbread recipe found at the back of The Lost Apothecary, and I’m excited for people to try the ricotta cookies at the back of The Amalfi Curse! (Download the book club kit, menu & recipes HERE.)
Where can our community connect with you online and learn about your book tour dates for The Amalfi Curse?
I’m very active on social media. My Instagram is @sarah_penner_author and my Facebook is @SarahPennerAuthor. I also update my website regularly: SarahPenner.com. All events and tour details can be found there!
What’s next from Sarah Penner?
Surprise: I’m currently drafting my fourth novel, which is both a prequel and sequel to The Lost Apothecary! It begins just moments after The Lost Apothecary ends. I’ve had so much fun stepping back into this familiar world of potions and old London. More to come!
About the Author
SARAH PENNER is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary and The London Séance Society. Her books have been translated into more than forty languages and her debut, The Lost Apothecary, has sold over one million copies worldwide. A graduate of the University of Kansas, Sarah spent thirteen years in corporate finance and now writes full-time. In her free time, Sarah enjoys hiking, yoga, and cooking. She also sits on the Board of Directors at her local animal shelter, Friends of Strays. Sarah and her husband, Marc, live in Florida. To learn more, visit SarahPenner.com.
About the Book
“Sarah Penner transported me to the sea-swept cliffs of Positano and introduced me to characters I’ll never forget. A magical read!”
—Emilia Hart, New York Times bestselling author of The Sirens
Powerful witchcraft. A hunt for sunken treasure. Forbidden love on the high seas. Beware the Amalfi Curse...
Haven Ambrose, a trailblazing nautical archaeologist, has come to the sun-soaked village of Positano to investigate the mysterious shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. But Haven is hoping to find more than old artifacts beneath the azure waters; she is secretly on a quest to locate a trove of priceless gemstones her late father spotted on his final dive. Upon Haven's arrival, strange maelstroms and misfortunes start plaguing the town. Is it nature or something more sinister at work?
As Haven searches for her father's sunken treasure, she begins to unearth a centuries-old tale of ancient sorcery and one woman's quest to save her lover and her village by using the legendary art of stregheria, a magical ability to harness the ocean. Could this magic be behind Positano's latest calamities? Haven must unravel the Amalfi Curse before the region is destroyed forever...
Against the dazzling backdrop of the Amalfi Coast, this bewitching novel shimmers with mystery, romance and the untamed magic of the sea.
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I'm in the midst of reading this latest novel by Sarah Penner--and I'm having a hard time putting it down to get sleep! Keep sharing fabulous books by incredible authors!
Great interview! Love Sarah Penner!!