With her enemies-to-lovers romantasy Seven Deadly Thorns (Bloomsbury YA, Nov.) debuting this fall, Amber Hamilton spoke to her publisher about the excitement of publishing her first book, the everlasting appeal of fairy tales, and why she loves a good tattoo.

How would you summarize your book, in a sentence?

It’s a gothic, dark academia story inspired by the Brothers Grimm version of Snow White in which True Love’s kiss, instead of resurrecting, kills. And it’s a romantic scene.

Seven Deadly Thorns is your debut. What is it about this specific story that made it your breakthrough?

I had already written one book that was shelved in the clearing trenches. It got over a hundred rejections, I think. I sent it to everybody and then I was in this place where, you know, I wanted to try again. I had this idea in my head for a Snow White-inspired story. And I started seeing people, literary agents and editors, talking about wanting that kind of a thing. So I decided it was time to take the plunge, but I knew I needed to write it really fast because they were already asking for it. So I did it in about two months.

One thing I really like about the book is that it isn’t a one-to-one fairy tale retelling. There’s a prince, there’s magic, an evil queen, a mirror. What is your relationship to fairy tales in general?

I think my relationship to fairy tales is everyone’s relationship to fairy tales, which is that they’re these ubiquitous stories that are woven into our culture. We know them so well that they’re a touching point for all of us. And I think that’s one of the things that always appeals to me about reading things inspired by fairy tales or folklore or history.

Tattoos in this book, they play a really important role. Is there anything that made you want to include tattoos?

I have a bunch and anytime there’s a magical tattoo in a book, I’m like, yes, this is the sauce. I have several on my arms; I have a sword on the back of my neck.

Is there anything in particular you’re really looking forward to as you continue on your publishing journey?

I get to go to YALC in London in November. I’m so excited for that. Then we’re doing a book launch for the pub day and going to have my friends and family there. So that’s going to be so fun.

And you’re finally going to see your name on a book on a shelf. Speaking of that book, the package is absolutely stunning, with sprayed edges and a fancy case.

I didn’t know that this was going to happen when I wrote it, but I am so happy to be debuting in the sprayed edge era that we’re in.

Want a chance to win the hardcover edition of Seven Deadly Thorns? For a limited time, you can enter to win a copy.