“Rich descriptions of creativity and magic are paired with a practical roadmap for making a life in devotion to both.” —Jessica Dore, author of Tarot for Change A magical guide to enhancing your creative process, from “the Terry Gross of witches” ( Vulture ) Creativity and magic are one and the same. Creative people often speak of being channels for inspiration, while others refer to communing with their muse. For many, this is more than mere metaphor, as artists throughout history have employed magical techniques to tap into their creativity, express powerful messages, and make contact with the sacred. From the songwriting divination of David Bowie and the bewitching shapeshifting of Beyoncé, to the Ouija board poetry sessions of Sylvia Plath and the abstract painting séances of Hilma af Klint, to the manifestation method of Octavia E. Butler and the daily meditation of David Lynch, mystical practices have been responsible for generating some of the world’s most beloved creations. While there are many books on creativity out there, none of them examines the specific ways that magic has been embraced by creative visionaries throughout history, nor do they explore how makers can start using these methods in their own creative processes. Magic Maker is the first. In this book, critically acclaimed author of Waking the Witch Pam Grossman shares how you can use magic to enhance your own creative practices. Smart, captivating, and gorgeously written, Magic Maker is filled with stories of artists, musicians, writers, filmmakers, and other creatives throughout history who have applied magic to their process. Grossman shows us how we can tap into the same inspiration for our own creative pursuits, whether it’s writing a song, a novel, software code, or figuring out our path in life. Delving into topics such as spellcasting, invocation, spirit communication, divination, and more, Grossman provides an enchanting and practical guide for anyone who wants to unlock their own creative magic and make whatever it is you’re meant to in this lifetime. One of Treadwell’s Books’ Favorite Books of 2025 "Magic Maker , to me, functions as a grimoire, a creativity handbook, as well as sort of an anthology of thinkers and doers throughout history who people can become inspired by and draw from." —The Creative Independent “A truly excellent guide for anyone seeking to ignite their creative practice.” —Treadwell’s Books "This is the best book yet written about the relationship between magic and inspiration, in all branches of the arts and some of the sciences as well. It is also a good all-round one on the making of magic in general, especially for the solitary practitioner." —Ronald Hutton, author of The Triumph of the Moon and The Witch "Step into Pam Grossman’s Magic Maker and step into a world of infinite possibilities. Deftly weaving the stories and beliefs of great artists and thinkers before us, Grossman makes a clear argument for the power of the occult within the creative process. In this luminous book, brilliant Grossman uses charmed language and wit to inspire us to follow our own creative path and summon our collective magical voices together. Read Magic Maker and once again find optimism for the future of creativity." —Dorothea Lasky, author of Thunderbird and Milk "I adore this book! There’s so much inspiration and magic inside these pages from my favorite witch and mentor." —Jinkx Monsoon, two-time winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race "There are few people who live up to the term ‘magic maker’ as fully as Pam Grossman. Lucky for us, she is willing to reveal her creative secrets! For anyone who struggles with the ‘mystical art of creating’ this book shows you not just a path, but a pantheon of spirits, gods, and wise witches to help guide you. For all of us who are tormented by the demons of creative self-doubt, this book is a spiritual sword and shield." —Dylan Thuras, cofounder of Atlas Obscura "Pam Grossman, the witch laureate of literature, uncovers the mysterious ‘something’ that bridges idea and act, inspiration and enterprise, wish and coming true—and she shares her magic formulas for creativity with brilliance, aplomb, ardent practicality, and historical breadth in Magic Maker. For creatives and seekers (aren’t they the same?), Pam has written the definitive manual to dream-making." —Mitch Horowitz, PEN Award-winning historian and author of Occult America "I wish I could travel back in time to gift my baby art witch self a copy of Magic Maker . An empowering book for all humans seeking to activate their own inner magic and powerful creative potential." —Yumi Sakugawa, author of There Is No Right Way to Meditate "In this book, Pam Grossman beautifully demonstrates how to unite and intertwine your creative and spiritual paths through preparation, devotion, and intentionality. I read it during a heavy time in my life, and came away feeling energized, excited, and