Title: FERNENDIA
Author: Shrisha Sarangi
ISBN: 978-93-7900-002-6
Publisher: Inksight Publishers
About the Book:
A magical book is found in a city’s deserted library, which drags three girls inside it.
This book acts as a doorway to an enchanted world of fairies where anything is possible.
Fairies are living here since centuries with peace and harmony until one day, when an evil fairy was born to the queen.
Will this fairy lead to the end of Fernendia? Some truths are only meant to be discovered but not everything that happens can be explained because Not All Journeys Leave Footprints.
Is fernendia really a place carved out of magic or is it just an illusion…
About the Author:
Shrisha Sarangi is a young and imaginative storyteller who loves creating worlds filled with magic, adventure and wonder. Along with writing fantasy-n-fiction, she also enjoys crafting poems and short stories, exploring different forms of creativity. She began writing this novella while she was in class7, inspired by her love for magical tales and endless imagination. This book marks her first published work—a small step into the world of storytelling and beginning of a much bigger journey. When she is not writing, she is often found lost in books or dreaming of new worlds where anything is possible.
For her, every story is a doorway to a world waiting to be discovered.
Neel Preet: What inspired you to write fernendia, and how did the idea of creating a magical fairy world first came to you?
Shrisha Sarangi: Since my early years, I have always loved imagining ideas and I have a special love for books. Whether fiction or non-fiction. Last year during my summer holidays, I was simply sitting idle when a sudden and unusual idea came to my mind—what if there was a book that could act as a doorway to a magical world? The idea fascinated me deeply, and I began exploring it further. I started writing, and gradually, line by line, my thoughts expanded and led to a the creation of my own fantasy world—FERNENDIA.
Neel Preet: Harriet’s curiosity leads her into an extraordinary adventure. What inspired you to create a character who discovers a hidden world beyond imagination?
Shrisha Sarangi: I wanted to create a character to whom my readers, especially young one like me can relate to, because young readers like me are often curious. I wanted to show the consequences, when someone follows their curiosity on an unknown world even while knowing it can be dangerous. Harriet, my protagonist represents the idea that even an ordinary person can experience something extraordinary by following their curiosity.
Neel Preet: Fernendia is filled with magic, fairies, enchanted places and mysteries. How did you develop the fantasy and its unique elements?
Shrisha Sarangi: Yes, fernendia is really an imaginative and enchanted place. Each magical elements like the fairy rose tiara, the maze, the ancient tree etc, took me a lot of time, effort and boundless imagination in being created. I wanted my readers to feel like fernendia is not only a place inside a book but a real world they can truly step into. So, for this, I combined nature, fairies and my ideas by sprinking a pinch of magic to each of them, and finally like this the unique elements came out.
Neel Preet: The friendship between Harriet and luna became an important part of the story. Why was it meaningful for you to highlight friendship and trust in a fantasy setting?
Shrisha Sarangi: Friendship and trust between luna and Harriet actually stand out as a very important part of my story. Through their bond. I wanted my readers to understand that friendship, trust and loyalty can support us even in the most unfamiliar and difficult situations.
Neel Preet: The story explores the difference between appearance and reality through the characters like florabelle and malicia. What message did you want readers to understand through the conflict?
Shrisha Sarangi: so, there is a general tendency of people to associate beauty with goodness and unattractiveness with something negative. Through the characters of malicia and florabelle, I wanted to convey my readers that appearances don’t show the true nature of a person. What we think as right or wrong is not always accurate. I highlighted their characters more to show that appearances can be misleading and before judging any thing or person as good or evil, we need to know the deeper aspects of that person.
Neel Preet: The fairy rose tiara represents power and responsibility in the story. What does this magical symbol mean from your perspective?
Shrisha Sarangi: The fairy rose tiara is not just a tiara crafted out of roses but is actually a symbol of respect, as well as responsibility. Through the idea of this tiara I wanted to show that being a queen is not just about having power and control over your kingdom but also about making wise decisions, showing kindness, and taking responsibility for the well being of others. The fairy rose tiara also had a special quality—it grants powers and strength to only those who wear it with a right intention. When placed on the head of someone who is kind, worthy and responsible, it enhances their abilities and supports them in leading wisely. However, if someone tries to use the tiara for selfish or harmful purposes, it releases negative energy and ultimately destroys the person. Through this, I wanted to convey that true power depends on one’s intention and character, not just the desire to control.
Neel Preet: Harriet faces fear and danger but continues to show courage. How did you approach writing about bravery and personal growth for young readers?
Shrisha Sarangi: Through harriet, I wanted to show that being brave and courageous doesn’t mean not being scared but about-facing fears and moving forward despite them. Also, true bravery often comes with selflessness. Harriet’s bravery is not just about facing her own fears, but about stepping forward to help others in danger.
Neel Preet: The book combines adventure, fantasy, emotions, and life lessons. How did you balance entertainment with meaningful messages while writing fernendia?
Shrisha Sarangi: I have read a lot of books and most of the time I find that life lessons are often given in the form of boring lectures while values and teachings can also be expressed in a story which will have adventure, emotions, fantasy as well as life lessons. Since as my story is mostly for young readers, I thought of designing fernendia as a piece of not just fantasy and fairies but also as a meaningful way to communicate important life lessons in an engaging and enjoyable manner.
Neel Preet: Was there any particular character, scene or moment in the book that was especially memorable or challenging for you to write?
Shrisha Sarangi: One of the most memorable moments for me was the mysterious ending scene of the story. I wanted to leave the readers with a sense of curiosity and wonder, so crafting the ending required careful thought. It was both exciting and challenging to create a conclusion that does not reveal the mystery. What fascinates me about the scene is how it blurs the line between reality and illusion, making fernendia feel both magical and uncertain.
Neel Preet: What do you hope children and readers take away from fernendia after completing harriet’s magical journey?
Shrisha Sarangi: Through fernendia, I wanted readers to feel a sense of wonder and imagination, but also takeaway meaningful lessons. I hope they understand that courage, kindness and curiosity can lead them to extraordinary experiences. At the same time, I want to leave them with a question—whether fernendia is truly a magical world or just an illusion. —so that the story stays with them even after they finish reading.
