Get Fictional offers hand made soy-based candles without toxins. (Courtesy Get Fictional)
A lifelong love of books and crafting came full circle for local entrepreneur Keely Mahaffey with her new shop, Get Fictional, founded in Downtown Conroe on June 13, 2025.
The boutique combines handcrafted soy-based candles with a curated selection of books from local authors as well as a spooky theme designed for the “bookish community,” Mahaffey said.
Staying local
Inspired by Mahaffey's passion for reading, writing and creating, the business grew from an Etsy shop founded over 10 years ago into a community-focused bookstore and shop designed to celebrate literary discovery and handmade craftsmanship.
As a book blogger and art history major herself, Mahaffey said her business aspirations started when she realized she could combine her passion for reading with her new candle-making hobby discovered over a decade ago to bring the community together.
Get Fictional offers various genres of books and features local authors. (Courtesy Get Fictional)
“I've always been a reader. I always wanted to be a writer, as well. I write short stories and poetry, so, just working with indie authors and things like that was just.. I just love that community and being supportive of them,” Mahaffey said.
In 2025, when Mahaffey stumbled upon a “for rent” sign on the corner of Main Street in Downtown Conroe, Mahaffey said a gut feeling led her to take on the opportunity and open her brick-and-mortar.
Get Fictional offers a spooky feel year round. (Courtesy Get Fictional)
What’s special about it?
Bringing spooky feels and fantasy to life all year round, Mahaffey said at Get Fictional, the community can expect a small 3,000-square-foot space with every corner filled with books and candles.
“Some people have said it's like a little piece of Salem, Massachusetts, in downtown Conroe, or, you know, New Orleans in Louisiana, where it's got that dark academia feel,” Mahaffey said. “It’s small, but it's full of magic.”
With about 30% of books sourced directly from local authors, Get Fictional supports the local literacy community. A few authors Mahaffey has worked with include Susan McCauley, Hal Evans, Oscar Whiting and Adrienne Renick.
Get Fictional offers a spooky feel year round. (Courtesy Get Fictional)
Book genres found at Get Fictional range from horror and sci-fi to historical fiction and dark romance.
Aside from partnering with local authors, Get Fictional recently started a summer book club with over 70 members in which locals and nonlocals gather at local coffee shops and breweries.
The local shop also offers custom candles that represent books carried in the shop and further captivate the essence of candles made with a bookish twist.
