Interview and review by Jon Claytor
First of all, let me say that I am a big fan of Camille Perron-Cormier’s work and that I originally read the French version of “The Secret Society of the Willbrook Witches” and the new English translation does not disappoint. This is a YA graphic novel about discovering who you are the first time you move away from home. Andrea is just starting university and it’s overwhelming. Will she fit in? Will she make friends? And why does she seem to have a strange power connected to plants? It is so relatable and Perron-Cormier really taps into that feeling of disconnect and how big those feelings can be when we are young. Soon Andrea meets Elaine, the president of Rosemary and Toad, The Secret Society of the Witches at Willbrook. Elaine isn’t afraid to say she is a witch, and she embraces her powers. She’s convinced Andrea is a witch too and that she must meet Sybil who is also a member of Frog and Toad. Andrea’s world has been broadened, and she feels a huge sense of acceptance with these two new friends. As the trio explore their powers, they soon realize there may be a fourth witch on campus who is damaging trees and the mystery begins! Who could it be? And why are they targeting trees? As the story progresses themes of repression, prejudice and ultimately acceptance emerge. Heavy topics but Perron-Cormier handles them with humour and compassion that YA readers will be able to relate to. But this is a great read for anyone of any age struggling to find their place.
I was lucky enough to ask Perron-Cormier a few questions about witchcraft, friendship, writing and how this book came into existence.
Is there a character you identify most with?
I identify a little with all the characters, and at the same time they all have traits that are very different from me. I’ve heard people tell me I’m the most like Andrea, the character we follow in Book 1. We certainly have the same type of curls! We both have a mix of shyness and outgoing-ness. That being said, I think she has more energy, more drive, than me.
Do you see being a witch as a metaphor, if so for what?
I think a witch is someone who chooses to live a bit out of the status quo. In each book so far, the characters decide to move against the status quo in their lives, in different ways and to different degrees. There will be a slight variation on that theme in Book 4.
Do you believe in magic?
Magic is too big of a word for me to answer this! I guess I would say that I’m a very pragmatic person, yet I’m also pretty superstitious. I wonder if any of that shows up in the portrayal of magic in the book? Overall, I love the space magic holds in literature. So many stories, so many systems, so many takes!
Now that I think of it, when I was creating the magic system in The Willbrook Witches, I referenced the magic in childhood games: playing in the woods, making up powers with friends, making “potions”… There’s that sense of “wonder” that’s often present in “magic”.
You did the translation yourself? Did you see the story differently in English, what were the challenges?
Yes, I translated Book 1, The Secret Society of the Willbrook Witches! I had a lot of fun translating the story in English. Both French and English have important places in my life.
I think this comic project is in a way a bilingual one. I first drafted the story of The Secret Society of the Willbrook Witches while I was in university in Quebec (in French), but thinking of the one year I did in Mount Allison before transferring. Then, I developed the story into a series when I came back to New Brunswick. I wanted to infuse it with Maritimes vibes. In French, this includes the chiac vocabulary I grew up in. I found translating the story in English was really fun! In a way, it was full circle. I’m really happy the story can live both in French and in English, with their own small particularities.
Who would you like to see read this book and what would you like them to get out of it?
Anyone who wants to read a fun witchy story! Also, a story about new friendships. My English publisher (Second Story Press) described it as cozy. I hope it is overall a joyous read for readers. For the first book of the series specifically, I recently said it’s about somewhat awkward/messy beginnings. It’s difficult to be awkward, but it is often worth it to put yourself out there!
What advice do you have about finding your friend group and yourself?
I don’t know if I’m an expert on these subjects, but I certainly love to write (and read) stories about them!
Here are some thoughts that come to mind: It takes effort. Try and fail (we all do). Take the time to notice what makes you happy. That’s important. Knowing yourself is probably an endless task but I believe it is very helpful in friendships. If you know the depth and the complexity of yourself, you can acknowledge and see the complexity and depth of others. I believe that’s helpful to navigate the world and create connexion.
What advice would you give to a young person wanting to get started writing comics?
I think when we want to tell stories, there’s kind of a spark of it in our mind, so take care to tend to that spark. I believe passion is something we feed and take care of, and that passion is important for writing.
Probably the most important advice: You can start writing now! Try to complete a comic project. It can be very short or very long (also: listen, if you don’t complete it… It’s okay). Then, make another one. Meanwhile, live your life, take notice of it (journal and sketchbook if you want!), read/watch shows/play games… Then, make another project, etc. Try new things in your process. Share your work with other people when you want to.
Also, to you, young person who wants to write comics, “That’s awesome!! I love to read comics. I hope I can read your stories one day!”
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Keep an eye out for more cozy, spooky, heartfelt books in this series. Camille Perron-Cormier is a writer to watch out for in the YA graphic novel scene. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next in French or English.
Cite this document:
Camille Perron-Cormier
Camille Perron-Cormier is from Dieppe, New Brunswick. She completed a Bachelor of Arts and Design degree with a concentration in comics at the Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) in 2018. Since graduating, she has returned to New Brunswick, where she creates comics, illustrations, graphic recordings, some graphic design, and leads creative workshops.
She has illustrated three children's books published by Bouton d'or Acadie: Adieu, Jacoby !, written by Renée Guimond-Plourde, Danielle Guimond, and Mélanie Plourde, Sous mon bateau, , written by Chantal Duguay-Maillet and very recently Dans ma boite à diner, written by Nicole Poirier. In 2023, she released her first comic book with Éditions Bouton d’or Acadie: SOS Sorcières, the first volume of the series Crapaud et RomarinThe sequel, Maude et le spectre, was published in January 2025. She is currently working on the third volume of this series.
Jon Claytor
Jon Claytor is a graphic novelist, painter, and writer based in Sackville, New Brunswick.
After having established himself as an oil painter, Jon has recently found his passion and true calling in graphic storytelling. He has written many illustrated interviews for the CBC since 2021 and his memoir, Take The Long Way Home was published by Conundrum Press in 2022. His latest graphic novel, Nowhere, about growing up among monsters in a small maritime town, was published by Goose Lane Editions in 2026. He is currently working on a book about the toxic drug supply affecting rural New Brunswick with harm reduction advocate, Ashley Legere. Jon has also run a number of creative workshops for a variety of audiences focusing on storytelling and comic memoirs.
Jon was born in San Francisco and has lived and worked in Moncton, Sackville, Halifax, Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. He co-founded SappyFest independent music and arts festival in 2006 and opened Thunder & Lightning Ideas Ltd. in 2013. Jon holds an MFA from York University (2012), attended Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University (1991), and holds a BFA Mount Allison University (1998). He was nominated for a Juno Award for the cover of Gord Downie's “Battle Of The Nudes” in 2004. His memoir, Take the Long Way Home, was shortlisted for the New Brunswick Book Award for Non-Fiction in 2022.
