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When it comes to horror novels, Grady Hendrix is one of the best. He’s a master storyteller, whether it’s about witches, vampires, or even Final Girls.
July 21 is International Witch's Day, and it’s right in the middle of Summerween, so you know what that means! It’s time to grab all your favorite witchy books, and Witchcraft for Wayward Girls has to be on the list.
The most recent of all his popular horror novels, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls was originally published on Jan. 14, 2025. Earlier this year, it was released in paperback, and by then, it had already proven to be Hendrix’s most critically acclaimed release.
Did you miss it? It’s a funny thing. Hendrix is either an author that you’ve read everything from, or he’s an author you may not have heard about. I was hooked after a chance encounter with My Best Friend’s Exorcism, and now I don’t miss a release.
So, if you haven’t read his work yet, you won’t know much about this latest release that’s perfect to celebrate International Witch's Day with.
Set in 1970s Florida, we follow a group of pregnant teens. They’re trapped in a maternity home, waiting to give birth. Once they do, they will never get to see their babies again, not even knowing where they have been sent to. That’s the real scary reality from the ‘70s in this novel, but there is a supernatural horror mixed into it.
When the teens come across a paperback titled “How to Be a Groovy Witch,” they decide it’s time to access their power. Sure, they may not think that witchcraft is real at first, but they soon become masters of their own destinies. It’s time to prove that the doctors, their parents, and all the other adults in their lives don’t know what’s best for them.
I have said since I first read the novel that it was a gutsy move by Hendrix. A male author writing a power about the systemic oppression of women was a huge risk, but he achieved a genuine, heartfelt story mixed in with all the horror and gore. There’s an element of the tale that is sure to get your blood boiling, as you think about the things that were done to women to keep them oppressed and controlled. While there are still things that need to change, it’s also important not to forget about these maternity homes and the way women were oppressed in the past.
Don’t worry, Parade isn’t sharing the parts that will anger you. We want to celebrate International Witch's Day in style, and that means sharing something from “How to Be a Groovy Witch,” the fictional book in the novel that I feel needs to be an add-on in a deluxe package of Hendrix’s works so far.
Enjoy!
“Y’all have to see this,” Fern said, and with a flourish she pulled the book out from behind her back, the way a magician pulls a rabbit out of a hat.
She knew without being told that they shouldn’t have it. It felt electric in her hands.
“Another book,” Rose said. “Stupendous.”
“No,” Fern said. “This one’s different.”
On the cover, some long‑haired fox held a black candle. She wore a black turtleneck, a black miniskirt, and black knee‑high boots. A silver pentagram hung around her neck and she stared out at them with eyeliner eyes, lips slightly parted. A bunch of psychedelic lights hit her from the sides and at her feet sat a black plastic cauldron with dry ice coming out of the top. The entire setup looked like it came from Woolworth’s and cost $3.99.
“How to Be a Groovy Witch,” Zinnia read the title out loud. “By Eth Natas. Oh, brother.”
She closed her eyes and went back to trying not to throw up.
“No, listen,” Fern said.
And she opened the book and gave the audition of her life.
“Magic isn’t real,” Zinnia said.
“The Salem witches were real,” Fern said. “I’ve done the play.”
“The Salem witches were a bunch of teenage girls stuck in the middle of nowhere who got a lot of people killed because they were bored.”
Fern was sick of the level of ingratitude around here.
“This book is the first interesting thing that’s happened to us in weeks and y’all are acting like it’s chores,” she said, voice hard. “Everyone complains that we’ve got nothing to do and nothing to watch but reruns and now something actually happens that might be fun and y’all start griping. Has Wellwood turned y’all into a bunch of squares?”
The last was directed at Rose. Fern knew Rose would rather die than be square.
“Fine,” Rose said. “Read us something good.”
Even Holly started paying attention now. Fern liked being the center of attention.
No one said a word in the darkening room. Outside, the summer sky turned from lavender to gray. Shadows congealed in the corners like dirty cobwebs. The only light came from the glowing tips of their cigarettes.
“Okay,” Rose said. “What do we do next.”
“First,” Fern said. “We need to find the right spell.”
“Have none of y’all ever read a book?” Zinnia asked. “Messing around with this stuff is a bad idea.”
“What can possibly go wrong?” Fern asked.
“Everything,” Zinnia said.
