Author Achieves Best-Seller Status After Moving to New Zealand

Rachael Herron, an established author since 2008, has reached a significant milestone in her career. Her latest novel, The Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland, made its debut on the USA Today Best-selling Booklist just one week after its release in mid-August 2023. This achievement marks her first appearance on the list, a culmination of what she describes as a newfound sense of freedom and security following her relocation.

In 2020, Herron and her wife, Lala Hulse, left the San Francisco Bay Area for New Zealand, seeking a life free from the pervasive fears associated with public displays of affection as a same-sex couple. During their time in Oakland, they often felt unsafe, avoiding holding hands or sharing kisses in public spaces. Herron recalls a particularly distressing experience when a man chased them out of a bar, shouting “lesbians!” at them. This environment, coupled with the political climate surrounding LGBTQ+ rights—exemplified by the passing of Proposition 8 in California—contributed to their decision to leave the United States.

By 2021, as anti-LGBTQI legislation proliferated, with over 100 pieces introduced in Congress that year, Herron felt compelled to seek refuge from the growing hostility. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), there are currently 616 anti-LGBTQI bills proposed in the U.S., with four pending in California. Herron expressed concern over the violence faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, saying, “We have stories of friends who have been randomly picked on to be beaten, just for fun—even in a city like San Francisco.”

Settling in Wellington, specifically in Karori with their pets, the couple experienced a profound shift. Herron described how the tension that had gripped her shoulders began to dissipate, allowing her creativity to flourish. It was here that she ventured into writing queer romance for the first time, resulting in The Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland. The novel centers on Beatrice Barnard, a character who initially dismisses a psychic’s ominous prediction about her demise, only to confront the concept of magic after a near-death experience.

Initially, Herron planned to self-publish to maintain creative freedom. Previous conversations with publishing agents suggested a limited market for queer romance. Nevertheless, she decided to present her manuscript to her agent. To her surprise, it garnered multiple offers at auction and was ultimately acquired by Hachette Book Group’s Grand Central Publishing.

Upon its release, Herron’s novel achieved the remarkable distinction of being ranked number 101 on the USA Today Best-selling Booklist. Reflecting on this success, she shared, “It’s literally a dream come true. It is my very first book to ever hit the USA Today bestseller list, and I never would have predicted that—ever.”

Encouraged by her success, Herron is committed to writing stories that resonate with her authentic self, regardless of market expectations. Her upcoming project is a historical fiction novel set in Whanganui, featuring local figures such as Charles Mackay, the town’s early 20th-century mayor, and Edith Collier, a renowned modern painter from New Zealand. Herron anticipates that this work may not conform to conventional publishing standards but expresses a deep personal connection to the material.

Incorporating tarot cards into her writing process, Herron has found them to be a source of inspiration and guidance. This practice began after her first experience with a 12-step recovery program, following her admission of alcohol addiction. She describes the cards as a means of accessing her subconscious, providing insights that feel uniquely personal.

As she prepares for her next writing endeavor, Herron continues to draw on tarot for direction. She humorously recounts her experience of repeatedly drawing the death card as she and Hulse were preparing to move to New Zealand. Contrary to its ominous connotations, this card symbolizes transformation and renewal, resonating deeply with her life changes.

With a pragmatic approach, Herron believes that her connection with her higher power—whom she affectionately refers to as SAL (Spirit of All Life)—has helped quell her inner critic. “Because I wrote The Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland with the tarot, and with my form of a higher power, I was never worried that I was doing the wrong thing,” she explains.

As Herron continues her literary journey, she embodies the belief that embracing authenticity can lead to profound creative breakthroughs. Her story serves as a testament to the transformative power of love, courage, and the pursuit of one’s true voice.