I Contain Multitudes received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Christopher Hawkins.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The book is called I Contain Multitudes, and it came out in April of 2025.
What’s the book’s first line?
They slowed the car down just enough that Trina didn’t break anything when she hit the pavement.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
It’s about a woman who’s become unstuck in reality. Every day, she wakes up to a world that’s slightly different to the one she was in before, and has to navigate her way through an unfamiliar environment where no one remembers who she is, including herself. Until, that is, a chance meeting introduces her to the one person who remembers her from one reality to the next. It sets her on a path to discovering who she is, and whether she can stop these changes before reality unravels for good.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I can’t say too much about direct inspirations without completely spoiling the book, but I started writing it back in 2019 and I think the early drafts were a direct reflection of the uncertainty that a lot of us were feeling at that time. Revisions continued throughout the pandemic, which ended up taking it to some really dark places. I set it aside in favor of other projects for a while, and when I picked it back up again for a rewrite in 2024, a lot of the more hopeful notes and moments of wonder began to shine through. So in that way, you could say that the book is inspired by those times and the mindset that I had while living through them.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
I think it’s a great book for readers who like twisty, mind-bending stories that are anchored in real emotion. At its core, the story is really hopeful, and I think that’s something we could all use a little more of right now.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
I think it’s an essential part of Trina Bell’s nature that she can never give up. Even at the beginning of the book, where we meet her at her lowest, she’s still doing everything she can to move forward. She’s got a little bit of Scout Finch in her, and a little bit of Katniss Everdeen too. She’s in this until the bitter end.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I’ve been writing since I was a teenager, and I’ve been publishing short stories since my 20’s. I don’t know if I ever felt like an “Author with a capital A” during any of that time, but being a writer has been part of my identity for a long while.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
I’ve published two other books: Downpour and Suburban Monsters. I’ve also written several others that, while a big part of my development as a writer, will likely stay in the trunk.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
As much as I can. Life gets in the way sometimes, but I try to write at least a little every day.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part is the autonomy and the freedom to write what you want to write. The hardest part is that, at the end of the day, you’re on your own, and all your motivation has to come from within.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Find your community. Every genre has an amazing community of indie writers who are out there doing incredible things. Tap into that energy. Become a part of it. It’s been an endless source of inspiration for me. It will be for you, too.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Absolutely (in fact, I’m working actively on that now.) Traditional publishing offers opportunities that indie writers don’t usually have in terms of distribution, reach and support. I believe it’s where I need to be to take my career to the next level.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
Really, I just want my work to be read by as many people as possible. The rest is just icing on the cake.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
There are so many, but Rod Serling really stands out among my influences as someone to emulate. He wrote with passion. He wrote with a conscience. He had important things to say, and he said them with style. At the end of the day, that’s what being a writer is all about.