Best Book Publishers UK | Austin Macauley Publishers
Q&A with Sara Fanfarillo

Q&A with Sara Fanfarillo

Everlasting is a fantastic read that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story is engaging, blending mystery and adventure in a way that constantly kept me on my toes. The cover is beautifully immersive, perfectly capturing the essence of the world within. What truly stood out, though, was the finale—it was absolutely thrilling! The ending wrapped things up perfectly, leaving me both satisfied and eager for more. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

–Evelyn Hart 

 

Where did the original idea for Everlasting come from, and what inspired you to write it? 

The original idea for Everlasting came from a mix of curiosity and a desire to explore questions that don’t always have simple answers. I was fascinated by the idea of someone growing up believing that the reality they knew was complete, only to discover that there was so much more beneath the surface.  

From there, I think it was natural for me to create a story about someone who is still discovering himself and questioning the world around him. Kendall grew out of that idea of discovery. I’ve also always felt that there is more to the world than what we immediately see, and that became a big part of Everlasting. I wanted to create a fantasy world where the impossible could actually feel possible.  

Honestly, I didn’t start Everlasting knowing exactly where it would take me. I just had an idea that I wanted to explore, and over time, that idea grew alongside me. 

 

If you could describe Everlasting in just three words, what would they be - and why do those three words capture the heart of the story for you? 

Mystery. Identity. Discovery.  

Mystery is at the center of Everlasting because Kendall is constantly surrounded by things he doesn’t fully understand. There are details and connections that might seem small at first, but become much more significant as the story goes on.  

Identity is probably the most personal of the three. Kendall isn’t only trying to understand what is happening around him, but also who he is within it. His past, his family, his origins, and the truths that have been hidden from him all become part of that journey.  

And then there is discovery. To me, it’s not just about finding answers, but about what happens to you while you are searching for them. Sometimes, discovering the truth can completely change the person who receives it. That is a big part of Kendall’s journey, and I think it is one of the things that makes Everlasting so personal to me. 

 

Kendall’s journey is about discovering more about himself, his past and the world around him. Was there a particular message or idea you hoped readers would take away from his journey? 

The biggest idea I hoped readers would take away is that you should never be afraid to question the reality you’ve been given. Kendall begins with so much of his life already defined for him. His understanding of himself and the world is based on what he has been told, and everything starts to change when he begins looking beyond those boundaries and trusting his own curiosity.  

I think that’s something many people can relate to, especially when we’re young. We’re constantly being told who we are, who we should become, what is possible for us, and sometimes even what we should want. But discovering yourself also means learning to question those expectations and, eventually, asking yourself what truly feels right for you.  

I also wanted to show that uncertainty isn’t necessarily something negative because sometimes it’s where discovery begins. Kendall doesn’t have all the answers when his journey starts, and the more he discovers, the more complicated things become. Still, he keeps moving forward, trusting that there may be more waiting for him beyond what he can currently see. I think that’s something worth remembering: not having all the answers doesn’t mean you’re lost, it can simply mean you’re still discovering who you are and where you’re meant to go. 

 

Were there any parts of the story that changed completely from your original idea? 

Absolutely. I think one of the most surprising things about writing a novel is realizing that, at some point, the story starts to develop a life of its own. When I started Everlasting, I had an idea of the world and of Kendall, but I didn’t fully understand yet what the story was going to become. As I developed the characters and the mysteries surrounding them, certain parts became much deeper and more connected than I originally imagined.  

I think the scale of the story probably changed the most. I started by focusing mainly on Kendall and his unusual circumstances, but it gradually grew into a story involving history, ancestry, hidden connections, memory, destiny, and all the questions that come with them.  

Looking back, I’m actually glad the story changed! If I had known everything from the beginning, I don’t think Everlasting would have become the same book. Part of writing it was discovering the story at the same time Kendall was discovering his world, and I think that made the whole process much more meaningful. 

 

You began writing at just 17. What was it like watching something that started as an idea at such a young age become a real book – and did you ever imagine it would take you as far as it has? 

Honestly, there are still moments when it feels strange to connect the fact that I started writing this book at such a young age with everything that has happened since. When I began, I wasn’t thinking about awards, events, meeting readers, or, least of all, traveling because of the book. I was writing because I had a story that I wanted to bring into the world.  

That’s what makes the journey so meaningful to me. The person who started Everlasting had absolutely no idea where that first step would eventually lead. Seeing the book become physical was already incredible. But then watching readers connect with Kendall, meeting people who had spent time inside a world that originally existed only in my imagination, are experiences I never could have predicted. Writing a book can feel very private. You spend so much time alone with your thoughts and ideas, and then, suddenly, you’re standing in front of readers and realizing that the story has become part of their experience too. 

I certainly never imagined any of this at seventeen. And maybe that is one of the most beautiful things I’ve learned, and continue to learn, from the experience 

 

You've won three book awards by the age of just 19. When you look back at that journey, which moment has felt the most surreal to you, and why? 

I think the most surreal part of the journey has been realizing that professionals in the literary industry, people who have spent years evaluating and championing stories, looked at something I created and believed it was worthy of recognition. There is something almost indescribable about knowing that people who had no personal reason to believe in me chose to believe in the story itself. They didn’t know the hours I had spent writing it, the thoughts behind it, or how much of myself I had poured into those pages. They simply encountered the story and saw something in it that they felt deserved to be recognized.  

That is still hard to believe, in the most beautiful way. 

 

What would you say to another young writer who has a story they believe in, but is afraid that being young means people won't take them seriously? 

I would tell them not to wait for someone else to give them permission to believe in their own story. Being young can make you question yourself. You might look at established writers and wonder why you should even try, or whether anyone will ever want to read your words.  

I’ve learned that your age doesn’t determine whether your value. Of course, being young also means you have a lot left to learn, and you have to stay open to growing. But there is a difference between knowing you still have things to learn and believing that you have nothing worth saying. Because you do.  

There will always be people who doubt you, and there will probably be moments when you doubt yourself too. But nobody else has your exact perspective or imagination, and that’s what makes your voice yours. You can’t allow the fear of not being taken seriously to stop you from creating. Sometimes, you just have to believe in your story before anyone else does. 

 

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice before starting Everlasting, what would it be? 

At the time, I knew I loved writing, and I believed in the story I was telling. What I didn’t know was how much I would grow alongside Everlasting. 

I would tell my younger self to enjoy the journey and not be afraid of the uncertainty that comes with it. You don’t need to have every question answered immediately. Some of the most important discoveries happen while you’re still searching. 

I would also tell her not to compare her beginning to somebody else’s middle. Especially as a young writer, it’s easy to look at other authors and feel like you’re behind. Belief is what makes you begin, and sometimes, one small idea, if you’re brave enough to follow it, can take you much further than you ever imagined.

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