An interview with Diana Fedorak, author of scifi/fantasy Children of Alpheios
A genetically engineered colony on a new world. A baby born different than everyone else. A mother who will do anything to save him.
On planet Eamine, twenty-one-year-old Alina must protect her baby when Mandin is born with a remarkable DNA anomaly. The colony’s central corporation wants Mandin for an experimental treatment program. Trained by the Expeditionary Academy, Alina knows how to survive Eamine’s harsh environment and flees to keep Mandin safe.
While Alina tries to uncover the truth, she finds herself relying on Kiean, a gruff pilot who protects her from threats in the midst of her new surroundings. As an upcoming rebellion brews, Alina must discover who she can trust, facing choices about family, life, and love. Despite the risk, Alina is determined to safeguard Mandin from the colony‘s most powerful institutions.
Excerpt from Children of Alpheios
Aurore handed her a tall glass. Alina drank the citrus liquid, inhaling bubbles. The crackers and fish in front of the robot beckoned. As she savored the
alternating salty-sweet flavors, an audible ping lit up Aurore’s expeditionary link.
“From SG.” Aurore then read the message aloud. “AI scan correlates to a very high intelligence, but the sequence indicates a possible neurological condition. Have a pediatric neurologist look into this. Ask for Dr. Olek at Genodyne. He was one of my students at the med institute.”
Alina tried to swallow the cracker stuck in her throat. It couldn’t be. She was born of Phase One herself. Genodyne edited hereditary diseases out of
everyone’s genome as standard procedure. Sucking on the straw of her drink helped wash down the cracker.
“He said it might be a really high intelligence,” Aurore said.
“Yes, but a neurological condition? The doctor said they didn’t detect a radiation leak, but what if there was one? What if it’s neurodivergence or—”
“Mandin could be a genius for all we know,” Aurore said.
Alina took another swig of her drink. She had broken her rule of stating her fears aloud.
~Buy it on:
An Interview with Diana Fedorak
-What inspired you to become a writer?
My kids. I wanted to be a writer since middle school but turned to more practical careers as I grew older. But watching how imaginative my kids were when they were little, and how much they enjoyed discovering new experiences made me re-examine my career choices. I realized I had lost something by putting away that dream.
-If you could visit your book’s world for a day, what one thing would you do?
That’s a great question. There’s a scene where a pilot named Kiean surprises Alina by taking her in a hover-jet over a mountain where Lake Patet is nestled within a caldera. It’s summer, and she can see the flowers below on the slopes of the crater and thinks of asking him to land. He encourages her to take the controls, and it’s also a moment where they make a personal connection. For a few minutes she’s not thinking about the ordeal that she has been undergoing, how she has left the city to hide herself and her baby among a new community. Instead, she’s enthralled with the flying and scenery. I would hop into the hover-jet and fly up to Lake Patet if I could.
-It’s two in the morning. What does your protagonist reveal in confidence? (Don’t worry, we won’t tell.)
She’s scared that she’s on her own as a young mother with a baby.
-Which of your characters would you go out for drinks with?
Alina’s friend, Aurore. Aurore is the outgoing one, and a bit unpredictable since she tends to say what’s on her mind. I think we all have a friend like Aurore and if you don’t, you probably need one.
-You’re in a tavern, and a dwarf challenges you to a duel. What do you do?
Ask the dwarf if I can buy him a drink. If he refuses, throw my drink in his face to get a running start for the door.
-Is there a genre you could never write? Which and why?
Horror. While I enjoy movies based on Steven King novels, I still cover my eyes at some of the scarier scenes.
About Diana Fedorak
Diana Fedorak is a speculative fiction writer from Las Vegas, Nevada. Born in Saigon, South Vietnam, she grew up in a Pan Am Airways family who frequently traveled overseas. Her prior career was serving as an officer in the United States Air Force.
Diana’s debut sci-fi novel, Children of Alpheios, was acquired by The Wild Rose Press in 2022. Set on planet Eamine, the story is about a young mother who finds herself pitted against the colony’s corporation when she discovers they desire her baby’s DNA anomaly for their genetic engineering program.
More information about Diana can be found at these sites:
Giveaway
Diana Fedorak will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Thanks for checking out Kit ‘n Kabookle! If you’re really into book things, I’d love to connect on Goodreads. A few things I’ve read lately include…
Thanks to Kit ‘N Kabookle for hosting me!
I’ll be popping in today and tomorrow throughout the day for comments. Drop any questions about Children of Alpheios you might have for me, or tell me what you think of the book description.
The cover is interesting. The colors and design caught my eye.
Jeanna,
I liked the way the colors came out, too. Jennifer Greef was the artist, and has a website where she displays some of her work: https://www.greeffiti.com/
Thanks for hosting!
This looks great! Can’t wait to read
Good luck on the giveaway!
The book sounds intriguing. Love the cover!
Diana Fedorak is a new author to me, but I want to thank this blog for the introduction.
I look forward to reading this book.