Q&A: Sarah Beth Durst, Author of ‘The Enchanted Greenhouse’

We chat with author Sarah Beth Durst about The Enchanted Greenhouse, which is a cosy fantasy nestled on a faraway island brimming with singing flowers, honey cakes, and honeyed love. 

Hi, Sarah! Welcome back! How has the past year been since we last spoke?

Last we spoke, The Spellshop was just coming out… Since then, the past year has been filled so much book-related joy: hearing from readers, meeting readers at bookstores and libraries and festivals and conventions, seeing photos of their spider plants and of their cats who wish they had wings, and writing the next book!

Your latest novel, The Enchanted Greenhouse, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Librarian

Grumpy gardener

Magical greenhouses

What can readers expect?

Hope. Joy. Also, tiny dragons, a winged cat, MANY magical plants, honey cakes, and love!

The Enchanted Greenhouse is a cozy fantasy set in the same world as The Spellshop (it’s a standalone—you don’t have to read Spellshop first to read Greenhouse). It’s about Terlu Perna, a librarian who broke the law because she was lonely. She cast an unauthorized spell and created a magically sentient spider plant. As punishment, she was turned into a wooden statue. This book is about what happens to her after that, when she wakes in the cold of winter on a nearly-deserted island full of hundreds of magical greenhouses.

I wrote this book because I believe everyone deserves a sanctuary—somewhere magical and beautiful that they can escape to, even if it’s only imaginary. I hope it will bring readers a bit of light and warmth.

Where did the inspiration for The Enchanted Greenhouse come from?

Cozy fantasy is written to feel like a warm hug—like a friend is sitting next to you with their arm around you, saying, “Everything is going to be okay. You’re not alone.”

But while I was writing The Spellshop, I realized there was one character that was not okay: the librarian who created Caz. And I couldn’t stop worrying about her. I had to write her story and make sure she was okay!

As for the greenhouses themselves… I’ve always found plants and flowers to be magical. They’re so beautiful and ephemeral! I don’t really understand how people create magnificent gardens. I don’t have a green thumb at all. Houseplants see me coming and despair. I’m much better with fictional plants!

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

All of it! Writing this book was such a joyous process! My favorite moments: inventing each of the magical greenhouses, meeting the magical plants, and writing the slow-burn of Terlu and Yarrow’s relationship.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

Every novel has a Doomed Stage, where you start second guessing every single decision you’ve made in the story and your life. The secret is to eat more chocolate and just keep writing.

That said, I loved writing this book! Every day, I’d sit down and say, “What makes me happy?” and I’d write that. The good writing days absolutely outweighed the doomed days.

Your debut novel published almost two decades ago. What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned as a writer over the years?

Believe in yourself. Trust in your innate sense of story. Be kind to yourself. And back up your work all the time. Every day. Twice a day. Hit “save” every couple of sentences. And then back up again.

One of the things that does happen when you write a lot is that you discover what you’re obsessed with. For example, I love writing about things that talk that shouldn’t talk. I also love writing about different ways to be strong. Strength isn’t just physical might or political power. In The Enchanted Greenhouse, kindness is strength. Connection with others is strength.

What’s next for you?

My next book in the world of the Spellshop is Sea of Charms, which comes out in summer 2026. I’m working on it right now and having so much fun! It’s fueled by hot chocolate and sea shanties.

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?

I have read so many wonderful books this year! A few that come to mind: The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong, The Forget-Me-Not Library by Heather Webber, The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World by J.R. Dawson, Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis, Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz, and Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill. And if you’re looking for a kids book, I’d highly recommend Maggie and the Story Shadows by Annabelle Oh and Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna. I loved all of them!

Thanks so much for interviewing me!

Will you be picking up The Enchanted Greenhouse? Tell us in the comments below!