Q&A With Shelby McFadden 

I have the honor of doing this Q&A with author, business owner, artist and graphic designer Shelby McFadden. Shelby McFadden is the author of the Grove Hollow series. 

Q: Shelby, would you give a brief description of the Grove Hollow series? Where did the idea for the series come from? 

A: The Grove Hollow series tells the story of Jade and her unexpected bond with a ghost haunting her, both connected by a cursed ancient Egyptian locket. The series explores themes of coming of age through adulthood, exploring the importance of emotional connection versus physical attraction and highlighting the significance of friendship, self-confidence, and love. 

The idea for this series first came to me back in 2011. Having grown up in a haunted house, I imagined a love story between a girl and a ghost. What I didn’t realize when I began writing was how deeply I would connect with the characters and how much my own experiences would shape the direction of the entire series. 

I set out to create a young adult romance that wasn’t just light and fluffy. I wanted the main character to navigate the complexities of teetering on the brink of adulthood, making mistakes, and learning from them — allowing readers to grow alongside Jade. I wanted to write something completely unique, with an atmospheric story set in my favorite period, the 1980s, blending romance, mystery, coming-of-age, and spiritual and magical elements. 

Q: Are you writing book five of the Grove Hollow series, a spin off series, the beginning of a new series or a standalone novel with a different story and characters? 

A: I’m currently planning for the Grove Hollow series to be a 4-book saga, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be more books down the line! I have a

few standalone romances on the back burner that I’m excited to explore, but this series is my true passion project and remains my top priority. 

Q: If Hollywood were to get the rights to the Grove Hollow series, who would be your dream cast to play the characters you created? We need original content in Hollywood again and they could use great books. 

A: I love this question! If the Grove Hollow series were ever adapted, I’d want the casting process to be like what they did with Stranger Things—selecting a cast of fresh, original actors who perfectly embody the characters I’ve envisioned. This approach would allow the actors to truly bring my characters to life, even if the adaptation takes some creative liberties with the story. Choosing new and relatively unknown talent would help keep each character’s unique essence, making them feel as authentic on screen as they are in my imagination. 

This way, even if the plot undergoes changes or specific elements are left out, I can still see the characters just as I’ve always pictured them. 

Q: How long does it take you to write a novel? 

A: It took 16 months to write, edit, and design Metamorphosis. Book two, Senescence, is taking a bit longer because, well, life—but I am actively writing and shooting for book two’s release early 2025! 

Q: What important lessons & feelings do you want readers to learn and feel after they read your books? 

A: I believe that as humans, we all experience emotions, crave connection, and grow from the choices we make. This idea was a crucial part of shaping Jade’s journey in the story, which is why the first book is titled Metamorphosis. Throughout the book, Jade learns the importance of friendship, self-confidence, and love.

I hope that older readers will be reminded of what it was like to be at that age and find empathy for those still navigating those formative years. For young adult readers, I want them to learn from Jade’s mistakes and take away core lessons about friendship, self-confidence, and authenticity, and to understand the difference between genuine emotional connection and mere physical attraction. 

Q: Would you like to talk about your business that you own? How do you juggle being an artist, graphic designer, business owner and an author? 

A: Absolutely! I run an indie romance-themed online apparel and bookstore called Touch Her and Die, which was formerly known as Fugly Barbie. The store features illustrations with a fun, 80s-inspired vibe. I also manage a graphic design company called Maple Projects, specializing in indie author publishing services such as book interior design, cover design and illustration, character art, and marketing materials. I often work late into the night after the kids are in bed and squeeze in time during naps, doing my best to stick to a schedule to balance it all. Creating is my passion, so it never feels like work!