The following is an interview with Laura Resau regarding the release of the novel, The Alchemy of Flowers, through Harper Muse. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Resau about her creative process in bringing the story and characters to life on the page, what she hopes that readers may take away from the story’s themes, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the release of The Alchemy of Flowers! With The Secret Garden serving as its inspiration, what are you most excited to tackle in this magical mystery story?
Laura Resau: I’m excited to bring the whimsical aspects of my children’s writing into a story that has more adult themes, like second chances at love, and healing after life hands you unexpected challenges. I loved immersing myself in this escapist setting, savoring the wish-fulfillment elements, and weaving in eerie undercurrents. It was a fun challenge to balance the healing aspects of the Gardens of Paradise with the dangerous aspects—letting my main character, Eloise, bond with her newfound family while unearthing ominous secrets. And I felt fascinated researching goddess mythology across cultures, then integrating it into the plot, setting, and themes.
BD: What can you share with us about your creative process for bringing this world and characters to life on the page?
LR: With most of my books, the setting and vibe come to me first. That’s often the doorway that leads me into the story. I was excited to set this book in Provence, where I lived for a year in college with a host family that I’m still close with. To me, the South of France feels infused with magic—I love the gourmet food, the lavender everywhere, the outdoor markets, the limestone castles, the Celtic and Roman history, and the pleasure-filled worldview.
In the early stages of conceiving this book, I jotted down ideas in my notebook, exploring the setting and the main character, who was inspired by own infertility experiences—only Eloise has hit rock bottom in a way that I never quite did. I imagined a broken, exhausted woman seeking refuge as a gardener in mysterious walled castle gardens in Provence. As I brainstormed, I found myself tying her own talents as “flower-whisperer” into the magical, multisensory elements of the otherworldly setting. In exploring her character, the secondary cast of characters started coming to me, too, with their own, unique arcs that complemented Eloise’s.
After weeks of fun free-writing and idea-gathering, I did a provisional outline and dove into a rough draft. I went back and forth between outlining and drafting, tweaking the big picture as I understood more about the characters and subplots. After I had a chunk of manuscript, I did some revising, ran it by my writing group, drafted the rest, revised some more, did another round of revisions with my writing group, then sent it to my agent. I revised with her, and later, revised with my editor. (Much of my process is revising—thankfully, I love that part!)
BD: What makes publisher Harper Muse the perfect home for this story?
LR: They have some wonderful titles with magical realism and escapist settings on their list. I also appreciate their emphasis on women’s journeys of healing—stories with depth and humor. Since Harper Muse is an imprint of Harper Collins, they can access the resources of a “big five” publisher, while cultivating a family-like feel. The team is small enough that everyone is familiar with all their titles. Everyone feels accessible, from the editorial team to the production team to the sales and marketing team. I’ve always felt that they value me and my books, which is a special thing for an author!
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. Are there any conversations that you hope Eloise’s journey may inspire with readers?
LR: Early readers have reached out to tell me they’ve felt moved by Eloise’s journey of healing after infertility and miscarriages. So many of us have experienced this, without talking about it openly—which can make us feel isolated. I was touched hearing how these readers felt seen and heard through Eloise’s story—the book was therapeutic for them. Since there are so many messy emotions and varied experiences around this topic, I think it would make a rich and meaningful book club discussion. The secondary characters in the book are also healing from their own challenges, which could offer more opportunities for emotional connection with readers. I’d also love to see conversations about feminine roles and goddess archetypes in mythology/psychology—I really enjoyed taking a deep dive into this subject, and I’m curious to see how readers relate it to their own lives.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
LR: My next novel, The River Muse, is coming out in Spring 2026, and I’m currently in the revision stage with my editor. It’s also about a woman’s journey of healing, set in a similar magic-laced world in the South of France, filled with sensory delights. While there are delicious, escapist elements, there’s also an exploration of healing after a destructive relationship, and creating one’s life anew. I’m hoping that readers who enjoyed immersing themselves in The Alchemy of Flowers will be happy to dip back into this world, while meeting new characters and exploring new plots and themes.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about The Alchemy of Flowers and your other work?
LR: I have lots of resources for this book on my website, including a book club guide: https://www.Lauraresau.com. You can also learn about my eleven books for kids and teens, most set in other countries, and some with an overlapping adult audience. Thanks for your enthusiasm about my writing!
