Journey to the Hopewell Star received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Hannah D. State.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Journey to the Hopewell Star was first published on July 29, 2020.
What’s the book’s first line?
Curled up on the couch in front of the fire, Sam Sanderson watched the snowflakes dance around outside.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Twelve-year-old Sam Sanderson is given tremendous responsibility when a mysterious visitor arrives one night, and she’s thrust on an otherworldly adventure. Her mission is to find the elusive Hopewell Star in order to save both Earth and the planet Kryg, but time is running out.
Not only is Sam called upon to carry out a dangerous mission, one that will have repercussions in her world and beyond, but she must also navigate the worldly issues facing her, like moving to a new city, starting a new school, friends, bullies, and learning how to deal with the uncertainty and anxiety that comes with change.
As Sam ventures further on her mission, she finds that a tyrannical business mogul threatens the health and safety of planet Earth, and her local community begins to suffer the deadly consequences.
Sam is determined to complete her mission, but at what cost?
Told from multiple characters’ perspectives, this young adult science fiction/fantasy adventure features a strong female lead, is set in the Maritimes, and deals with themes such as anti-bullying, environmental issues, alien contact and space exploration, telepathy, a journey of self-discovery, dealing with anxiety, overcoming obstacles, and believing in yourself.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
It was a culmination of different factors. My husband and I had moved from Ontario to the East Coast, and that’s when the idea developed. Without the long commute, I’d found I had more time in the evenings to explore creative pursuits. I enjoyed the new setting, the friendly community, the good quality of life, and the beautiful landscape, and I felt inspired to start something new.
The idea began as a short story, but after sharing it with my husband and a couple of close relatives, they encouraged me to develop it further. I signed up for a novel writing course through the University of New Brunswick along with a marketing and self-publishing course with the same professor. The professor had achieved success as an independent science fiction author, and I found his courses helpful and inspiring. The workshop format was effective, and I made some wonderful connections in the writing community through his courses. I’m especially grateful that the initial readers found promise in my writing and supported me throughout its development.
I wanted to write a novel that would be accessible to young adults because I feel that’s the time in your life when you’re starting to explore not just career options, but how you see yourself in the world, and the ways in which you can participate and get involved in the community to change things. I was hoping to inspire young adults to explore science, given its complexities and the urgency, especially looking at the way we treat our planet and each other, and the ramifications it may have for future generations. I also feel that the fantasy genre is the perfect outlet for youth to expand their minds by exploring creative, imaginative worlds.
I liked the idea of pushing the boundaries but also looking at how technology impacts societies and the responsibilities that come with developing and adapting new technologies. I wanted to feature a girl in a science fiction/fantasy story who was interested in science and who wasn’t afraid to explore the unknown to discover something profound—even if it meant her dealing with uncertainty and taking risks—while going on a journey of self-discovery and transformation.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
If someone enjoys coming-of-age science fiction/fantasy adventures and is interested in exploring different worlds, extraterrestrial civilizations, and interdependence with our surroundings, then they’ll probably love this book.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
I think the most distinctive thing about Sam is her willingness to expand her boundaries, to question conventional beliefs and be open to other possibilities.
Sam has this practicality and independence about her. She likes to question things and try to solve problems. She’s empathetic, often trying to see things from others’ perspectives. When she first begins public school, Sam is introverted and quiet at times. She likes to think about things a lot, not just about what she’s learning in class, but about who to trust, how to deal with bullies, and how to find what she needs to be successful in her journey. She acknowledges the difficult lessons, recognizing her strengths and weaknesses and learning to embrace change and challenges by seeing them as opportunities. She also has this bold side to her and can be persistent, outspoken, and determined. She doesn’t know it at first, but she’s a leader; unique, her own person, and striving to understand things as she’s growing up and encountering challenges along the way. Her experiences, encounters, and the friendships she makes help her in her journey of self-discovery.
The characters in my book were formulated based on my imagination. However, looking back, I think Sam has a lot of qualities that reflect the strong women in my life and the women whom I admire.
One of my writer friends compared Sam to Greta Thunberg. I could see that, for sure.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
The role of twelve-year-old Sam is a tricky one. Perhaps someone new who is yet to be discovered!
One of my writing friends thought Tilda Swinton would make a good Onnisa. I could see that, or maybe Lupita Nyong’o. Lupita portrayed wise Maz Kanata so well in Star Wars. I think Emma Thompson would also do a good job.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I wanted to become an author from the time I started reading books. My mom was a huge influence. She was a writer, and she would sometimes give creative writing lessons at my high school. She was always supportive and encouraging. I remember writing at a young age and wanting to do what she did. She was a guiding light in so many ways.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
No. I wrote a novella in fifth grade called Picture Perfect, a children’s adventure about a group of kids who travel through a picture into another world. My friend read it at the time and liked it because she thought the boy from the other world was cute.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I’m a federal civil servant and work in an administrative role. It can get quite busy, but the work is interesting, fast-paced, and keeps me on my toes. I like the people I work with, and it pays the bills. I’ll probably keep working there until they tell me not to.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
Not as much time as I’d like to. Maybe two hours a week. That’s probably why it took me so long to write my first book. Although, I’m dedicating more time to it these days. I really enjoy it as an escape. I also like the creative aspect of writing and exploring and considering different imaginative possibilities.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part of self-publishing is that you have freedom and control over the entire process, from writing the story (going at your own pace and not worrying about publishing deadlines or making plot/character/setting changes you don’t want to make) to copyediting, proofreading, formatting, cover design, marketing, pricing, and distribution. If you go the traditional publishing route, you can’t choose your cover artist or who will market it, and you don’t have much control over the process. There’s also no guarantee that your work will be accepted. If you are accepted by a traditional publishing house and they don’t market your book well, it could flop, and you might not be able to break the contract and go with another publisher or the self-publishing route because they typically own the publishing rights. With self-publishing, you’re completely in control, and if you choose to publish with a traditional publishing house later on, you can do so. Also, sometimes self-publishing is the only option for first-time authors until they can build up their reputation.
The hardest part of being an indie writer is sticking to a set writing schedule. I’ve learned that you have to be your own motivator, so you need to believe in your work and make it a priority when there are other competing activities. You need to make sure to carve out some time in your day to dedicate to your writing.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Believe in yourself and your abilities. Seek out the services of experts when needed. The process is a long journey, but it’s worth it!
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
As much as I enjoy the creative freedom of independent publishing, I might consider going traditional if the right opportunity presented itself. Of course, I would have to read the contract terms and make sure it was worth it.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
Lots of things motivate me. Whenever I’m feeling unmotivated, I just read the news. It really makes me want to change things for the better.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
I most admire my mom. She’s no longer alive, but she was a huge influence. She sparked my love of reading and writing at a young age.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
I wish I’d written the Harry Potter series. I’m a huge fan, and there is so much creativity and humor used throughout. Although I must admit, it would have been a massive undertaking!