Paul Salfen of AMFM Magazine connected with Hannah Nicole Maehrer, the New York Times bestselling author whose Assistant to the Villain series has taken the literary world by storm. Fresh off the release of her latest book, Accomplice to the Villain, Hannah’s infectious energy spilled through the conversation, her voice tinged with disbelief and joy. “I can’t feel my face,” she laughed, still reeling from the whirlwind of her book’s debut at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list within its first two weeks. For a Pennsylvania native and Penn Stater from Doylestown, this moment was nothing short of a fairy tale—albeit one with a mischievous villain and a sarcastic frog.
Hannah’s story began not in a writer’s garret but in the glow of her phone screen, where her TikTok skits about a bubbly assistant named Evie Sage working for a fearsome villain captivated millions. With over 147.8 million views, her blend of Once Upon a Time whimsy and The Office-style humor struck a chord, turning her comedic videos into a publishing phenomenon. “It’s pitched as Once Upon a Time meets The Office,” she told Salfen, her grin audible as she described Evie, a sunshine incarnate who stumbles into a job as the kingdom’s most terrifying villain’s assistant. What starts as a desperate gig for a young woman in need of work blooms into a tale of magical mayhem, slow-burn romance, and Evie’s surprising knack for villainy—all delivered with a disarming smile.
As Hannah recounted to Salfen, the seeds of Accomplice to the Villain were sown in those early TikTok days, when she’d dash around her college townhome, filming skits about cleaning up blood and cracking wacky jokes. One pivotal moment changed everything: posting her first video while working as a nanny. “I put the twins down for a nap, came back downstairs, looked at my phone, and the video was going viral,” she recalled, her voice still tinged with awe. That Hail Mary moment—posting without pretense, just for the joy of it—catapulted her from TikTok creator to bestselling author, proving the power of authenticity in a world often paralyzed by fear of looking “cringeworthy.”
In Accomplice to the Villain, Hannah amps up the stakes with a bigger, bolder, and funnier story. Evie’s journey deepens as she navigates her feelings for her grumpy boss, surrounded by sarcastic frogs and magical chaos that make the series a standout in the romantasy genre. “I completely wall myself into the story,” Hannah explained, admitting that her characters—like defiant children—often ignore her plans. “I’m like, ‘I am your God, you have to listen,’ and they don’t,” she laughed, describing how she discovers the story alongside her readers, letting Evie and her villainous boss lead the way.
The transition from TikTok to books wasn’t without its surreal moments. “I think I’ve tricked everyone into thinking I know what I’m doing,” Hannah confessed to Salfen, her humility shining through. Yet her success is no fluke. Her debut novel, Assistant to the Villain, became an instant bestseller, and Accomplice has cemented her as a leading voice in romantasy. The books’ visual roots—born from those TikTok skits—have even caught Hollywood’s eye, with Legendary signing the rights for a television adaptation in 2023. “I still do both,” she said, her mind toggling between the page and the screen as she envisions her characters’ next moves.
For aspiring authors looking up to her, Hannah’s advice is as grounded as it is inspiring. “Everyone’s going through the same thing,” she told Salfen, emphasizing that no two publishing journeys are alike. Her own path—from TikTok to bestsellerdom—proves there’s no one-size-fits-all formula. “Be really passionate about what you write and love your work more than anyone else,” she urged, her words a beacon for those navigating the unpredictable waves of the industry. Growing up in a big, boisterous family she jokingly calls a “reality show,” Hannah honed her quick, tongue-in-cheek humor, which infuses her stories with a lightness that makes even the darkest themes—villainy, betrayal—palatable and fun.
As Accomplice to the Villain sweeps readers into its world of grumpy bosses and magical hijinks, Hannah remains anchored by her love for the craft. “When I’m writing, it’s just me and the characters,” she said, her focus unwavering despite the whirlwind of success. For fans and newcomers alike, her series offers a delightful escape—a reminder that even in a kingdom ruled by villains, a little sunshine and a lot of heart can change everything. As Hannah’s star continues to rise, one thing is clear: this is one assistant who’s become an accomplice to her own extraordinary story.
