The Long Haul: Pursuit of Hope received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Lena Gibson.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The Long Haul: Pursuit of Hope, published June 6, 2024 by Black Rose Writing
What’s the book’s first line?
There used to be a city here. Several, in fact. They’d hugged the narrow edge before the mountains north and south of Salt Lake City, with a combined population of over two million.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
In 2195, a group of misfit adventurers flees northward with the key to the Doomsday seed bunkers—one step ahead of corporation henchmen determined to possess it.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
The original inspiration was for the first book in the series, Switching Tracks: Out of the Trash, which was inspired by my grandfather’s train-hopping adventures during the Great Depression, a picture book called Ada’s Violin about the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay, and reading about the Doomsday seed bunkers.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
The Long Haul is about stepping up and working together to improve the world. While everyone would rather settle down somewhere comfortable and quiet, each person has a role to play. In this case, it is to bring control of food and water back to the people. Some of the problems mirror those of our current world.
In addition, all of my books are about finding the people who love and accept you for who you are. As someone with autism, this has been the struggle of my life.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
While an ensemble cast, the main characters at the heart of The Long Haul: Pursuit of Hope are Elsa, the former landfill scavenger, and Ginger, the sheltered daughter of the corporation leader.
The most distinctive thing about both of them is their ability to persevere and step away from the limited worldview they grew up knowing to become someone who takes action.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I had dabbled in writing since 1998 but decided to become an author in 2017 after attending a writing workshop. I dusted off my old projects and dove in, determined to finish and set my stories free into the world. Since that time, I have completed the original practice book (it took 20 years to write) and ten additional novel-length stories.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
The Long Haul: Pursuit of Hope is the sixth book I’ve written and the fourth to be published. It is the second in my Train Hoppers series and the sequel to Switching Tracks: Out of the Trash. The third and final installment in the series, Rebels and Saints: Catching Freedom will be published in April 2025.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I am a Canadian elementary school teacher who teaches combined fourth and fifth-grade classes. My mission for the last 29 years has been to inspire students to love reading and writing.
I am also a mother, a wife, a MotoGP fan, a cat lover, a tea drinker, and an avid walk-talker. I have a black belt in karate that I earned when I was fifty, the same year my first book, The Edge of Life: Love and Survival During the Apocalypse, was published.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
I try to do at least one hour of writing-related activity per day. More whenever possible. If I didn’t work full-time, I would write for several hours every day.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part about being an indie author is the small publisher I work with and their community of authors. Black Rose Writing supports and promotes our work, and we work together to get our books into the hands of readers. I have a say in how to promote my books, the cover design, and the titles.
The hardest part is getting reviews and having my books be noticed.
What advice can you share with fellow indie authors?
Always be learning and improving your writing. Practice, practice, practice.
Publish the best book you can and don’t torment yourself over the odd negative review. I don’t love every book I’ve read and not everyone will love my books. I write them for myself and hope that they find readers who will enjoy them too.