Interview with sci-fi author Diana Fedorak

Sci-fi author Diana Fedorak joins me today to chat about Children of Alpheios.

During her virtual book tour, Diana will be giving away a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:
Diana Fedorak is a speculative writer from Las Vegas, Nevada. Born in Saigon, South Vietnam, she grew up in a Pan Am Airways family who frequently traveled overseas. In her prior career, she served as an intelligence officer in the United States Air Force. She enjoys writing complex characters in high-stakes science fiction and fantasy worlds. When she’s not writing, she spends time in her own universe with her husband, two children, and their German Shepard.

Please tell us about your current release.
Children of Alpheios is about a mother, Alina, who finds herself up against a scientific corporation that wants to exploit her baby’s DNA anomaly. She lives in a genetically engineered colony on planet Eamine, and her son is born with extraordinary gifts. The corporation, Genodyne, demands that she follow their treatment plan for her son, but she finds out a child died in their care, and his mother threw herself off their roof. She tries to find out what happened. Alina is young at age twenty-one, so I also gave Children of Alpheios a strong romantic sub-plot I think readers will enjoy. The book was rated 5-stars by three different reviewers from Reader’s Favorite.

What inspired you to write this book?
My kids. I think most parents can relate to some medical event that happened to their child that kept them up many nights.

Excerpt from Children of Alpheios:
Alina rolled the vial in between her fingertips, noting Mandin’s blood sample contained a purplish undertone. They had never requested her permission for an experimental lab test. Dr. Olek would have informed her. Did Dr. Daxmen draw the sample himself when she had stepped away for a moment? She fumbled with the vial and wrapped her fist around it. “And if Mandin’s body accepts the treatment, what’s the outcome?”

“We should be able to preserve his very special talents while ridding him of his seizures.”

Goosebumps rankled the nape of her neck at the sight of the purplish undertone. It looked vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t place it. She wanted to dispose of the vial, but instead, passed it back. Ms. Silver placed the tubes in the refrigerator.

“Are you sure it’s safe for infants?”

Ms. Silver brushed a piece of invisible lint off her lapel. “We believe so. Although we need some paperwork from you before you bring him in.”

“What exactly?”

“We can dispense with the non-disclosure agreement we discussed earlier, provided you consent to Mandin’s Phase Three treatment. The other item would be your agreement in allowing us to file a patent for Mandin’s DNA.” The director picked up the glass tablet and scrolled through the screen. “As a matter of fact, I have the forms right here.”

What exciting project are you working on next?
Book 2 of this series.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
By middle school. I wrote a poem as an assignment for my literature class. I had a wonderful teacher, Mrs. Fritz, and I really wanted to impress her. In other literature classes, I was bored by some of the reading, but not hers. She was also very encouraging.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I recently retired from my Air Force career to become a full-time author. After I drop off the kids at school in the morning, I usually hit the gym. Immediately afterwards, I write. That’s when I have a few hours of quiet at home. Somewhere in there, I squeeze in admin and errands. Then I pick up the kids, and it gets chaotic. Occasionally after dinner, I’ll write if I still have energy. Before bed, I’ll read. It’s part of my battle rhythm, and it relaxes me.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I consult a thesaurus constantly. For every scene. It’s a tab permanently open on my browser.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An astronaut. I saw the movie, Spacecamp with Lea Thompson, and thought to myself, that’s what I want to do. As a Gen X kid, I watched the space shuttle launches on TV, too. Looking back, that movie was rather silly, but I still enjoy watching it.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I’ll be announcing upcoming events, news, and promotions in my newsletter for readers who would like to sign up for it through my website.

Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Apple | BooksAMillion | IndieBound

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