Interview with debut sci-fi author Leah Petersen

Today, Reviews and Interviews is the first stop of Leah Petersen's virtual book tour for her book Fighting Gravity. Round of applause for everyone for today's kickoff. Woo hoo!

Leah has at least one giveaway to a lucky commentor during her tour. Details are at the end of the interview. 

Bio:

Leah Petersen lives in North Carolina. She does the day-job, wife, and mother thing, much like everyone else. She prides herself on being able to hold a book with her feet so she can knit while reading. She’s still working on knitting while writing.

Fighting Gravity is her first novel.

Welcome, Leah. Please tell us about your current release.

Fighting Gravity is a science fiction love story. I always hate this question because I tend to get verbose. How about the back cover copy instead:

When Jacob Dawes is Selected for the Imperial Intellectual Complex as a child, he’s catapulted from the poverty-stricken slums of his birth into a world where his status as an unclass is something no one can forget, or forgive. His growing scientific renown draws the attention of the emperor, a young man Jacob’s own age, and they find themselves drawn to each other in an unlikely, and ill-advised relationship. Jacob may have won the emperor’s heart, but it’s no protection when he’s accused of treason. And fighting his own execution would mean betraying the man he loves.

 

What inspired you to write this book?

The story itself. There’s always one in my head somewhere but this one would. not. go. away. I figured writing it was the way to purge it from my system. What came out of that cleansing exercise was actually readable and something I wanted to share.

What exciting story are you working on next?

When I’m being good I’m working on the sequel to Fighting Gravity. When I’m not, there’s always some story of science or magic and tragic characters trying to become next in line.

 

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’m a writer? Actually, I don’t know. Perhaps it was when I started trying to get my book published. Publishers generally expect you to be a writer, if you’re trying to sell your book.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like?  If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I don’t write full time. My alternate identity has an accounting job. Unglamorous, but I enjoy it and its 9-5ishness. I also have kids, and a husband. I find time to write by having very low standards when it comes to domesticity, and not having many friends. Less demands on my time. ;)

 

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

When I get stuck I go for a drive. An hour or two on a boring stretch of interstate can fix most small problems, the bigger ones I might need to plan to stay overnight at the other end.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I don’t remember. A princess, probably. Well, queen. Empress, really. It’s not that I like responsibility, I just don’t like being told what to do.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I once knit a spaceship for a friend. My husband still swears the finished product was a brontosaurus, though. 

You're funny. :) Thanks for being here, Leah. I'm happy to be the kickoff for your tour.

Readers, Leah will be giving away at least one (possibly more) hand-knitted by her replicas of the symbol of the IIC (an important institution in the book) to randomly drawn commenters during the tour. So, comment here and leave your e-mail address, or at any of Leah's other tour stops for the next few weeks, for a chance to win.