Contents
I’m so excited to share that I was recently interviewed by fellow middle-grade fantasy author Isabelle Knight on her wonderful blog, Spring Falls Chronicle. Isabelle, the creator of the magical Enchantria series, has built an inspiring platform where she uplifts voices in the middle-grade and young-adult literary world through thoughtful, engaging author interviews.
It was an absolute joy to join her for a chat about my debut fantasy novel, The Potion Experiment. You can read the full interview on Isabelle’s blog: Author Interview with Elle McFadzean. Additionally, the interview is available to watch on Isabelle’s YouTube channel: Author Interview with Elle McFadzean.
A magical conversation on writing, worldbuilding and friendship
In the author interview, we talked about what inspired me to write The Potion Experiment, the process of building a fantasy world rooted in an Australian setting, and the themes that anchor the story – particularly friendship, trust and self-discovery.
We also chatted about what drew me to writing middle-grade fantasy in the first place. As someone who grew up devouring books filled with magic and secret portals to other worlds, I’ve always believed in the power of storytelling to shape our understanding of ourselves and others. The Potion Experiment was born from that love of the fantastical, paired with a desire to explore emotional truths – like how friendships shift, how trust is built (and broken), and how we discover who we are through the people we journey with.
Now on YouTube: watch the full author interview
In addition to the blog post, the interview is also available to watch on Isabelle Knight’s YouTube channel. If you’re curious about my writing process, what I loved most about crafting The Potion Experiment, or how I develop characters that feel real and emotionally resonant, I’d love for you to check it out.
Isabelle is a natural interviewer – warm and full of curiosity – and I truly appreciated how she guided the conversation with thoughtful questions. It made for such an enjoyable, relaxed chat.
Spring Falls Chronicle: a hub for fantasy author interviews
If you’re not already following Spring Falls Chronicle, I highly recommend spending some time on the site. Isabelle Knight not only shares her own work – including updates on her Enchantria series – but also interviews a wide range of authors. Past interviews have featured incredible voices like:
- Xiran Jay Zhao, author of Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor, where they discuss writing, Chinese culture, and crafting morally complex characters. Read the interview.
- Sarah Allen, known for What Stars Are Made Of, sharing insights into her writing process and the themes that resonate in her work. Read the interview.
- Amy Wilson, author of Lightning Falls, discussing the inspiration behind her magical narratives. Read the interview.
- Deva Fagan, who penned Nightingale, offering a glimpse into her creative journey. Read the interview.
- Siobhan McDermott, author of Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm, exploring adventure, magic, and cultural influences in her storytelling. Read the interview.
- Lee Bacon, known for The Last Human, discussing themes of friendship and humanity in his science fiction narratives. Read the interview.
- Valinora Troy, author of The Lucky Diamond Trilogy, sharing her experiences and insights into the writing process. Read the interview.
Whether you’re looking for book recommendations, insights into the creative process, or just want to discover new voices in middle-grade and young-adult fiction, Isabelle’s blog is a great place to start.
Sharing stories that matter
As an author, being interviewed is a surreal and grateful moment. You spend so much time creating stories alone in your head, and suddenly you’re invited to share those worlds with someone who’s just as passionate about stories as you are.
A huge thank you to Isabelle for welcoming me onto her platform and for championing middle-grade authors. You can read the full interview here and watch the video version on YouTube. I’d love to hear what you think!