The Island of Echoes by Isabelle Mugford is shortlisted for the 2025 Author of Tomorrow Award, 16-21 Category.
The Island of Echoes: Eliana lives in the coastal town of Drift Valley. One summer, her mother is burning her grandfather’s sailing journals from his days as a fisherman, but Eliana is intrigued. The notes spark a memory of a rumour she once heard about a mysterious island and her grandfather’s disappearance. As his legend begins to resurface and the past breathes back into life, Eliana discovers a key hidden within the pages - an object that sends her on a journey to uncover the truth. But it seems the dark forces at play on the island have left Eliana a choice: unlock its mysteries, and be immortalised in time, forever trapped on the island, or free her town from the curse.
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An interview with Isabelle:
WNSF: What is your favourite book?
Isabelle: My favourite book changes all the time, but I think the ones I really love are those I read over and over again. For me, this is His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman (and the Book of Dust titles that go along with it). His worldbuilding is so rich and interesting, and each time I re-read it, I find more depth and meaning!
WNSF: Who is your favourite author? Or one who has inspired you, and why?
Isabelle: My favourite author, who I’ve been most inspired by, would have to be L.M. Montgomery, who many people know as the author of the Anne of Green Gables series. I loved reading her books when I was younger, and her ability to write with such depth, yet interest, and to capture the joys and quirks of everyday life, is inspiring.
WNSF: What is your favourite subject at school?
Isabelle: That’s a close tie between Art and English. I love being creative by writing and making art, but I also love the challenging level of thinking that comes with reading literature. I take both for A-Level, and I think they complement each other well.
WNSF: What does ‘adventure writing’ mean to you? Why did you choose to try your hand at an adventure story?
Isabelle: Adventure writing to me is writing something thrilling and compelling that you can escape to - that you would never be able to do in everyday life. I chose to have a go at adventure writing as I’d had the idea for this story for a while, and I decided it was time to try and write it.
WNSF: If you could ask an author anything, what would you want to know?
Isabelle: I would ask them, "If you could live in any world created in literature, which one would it be and why?". I think it would tell me a lot about the author in terms of what they think is important: justice, belonging, freedom, danger…
WNSF: Who would you consider one of your heroes and why?
Isabelle: A hero for me would be Steve Backshall. He’s a naturalist and explorer, and I love watching his programmes about expeditions into previously undiscovered places. I’ve always loved nature, and he has given me an enthusiasm to protect the natural world.
WNSF: What is the most adventurous thing you would like to do, or a place you would like to visit, and why?
Isabelle: I’d love to go deep into the Amazon jungle where no one has been before. I think it would be humbling to be so exposed to nature.
WNSF: Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
Isabelle: A lot of inspiration comes from places I’ve seen and travelled to, but ideas generally start to form when I’m lying awake at night and my mind wanders. I often end up having to jump out of bed to write ideas down (I’ve learnt now to keep a notebook and pen handy!).
WNSF: If you could time travel, where would you go and why?
Isabelle: I think I’d go back about ten years and relive my childhood: it was so stress-free! Going back now would give me more of an appreciation for ‘living in the moment’, and I want to enjoy the freedom all over again!
WNSF: What three words would you use to describe your story?
Isabelle: Legacy, ocean, fantasy.
WNSF: Thank you, Isabelle, and congratulations once again on your fantastic story. Wishing you the best of luck with the next stage of the competition!