“…Everyone has something to contribute. Whether that be standing up against evil in your own way in your own life, or publishing your first book. You do not have to change the world, just the world within your own story.”
Interview with {Aubrey Hansen}
I’m excited to introduce Aubrey Hansen, author of this delicious-sounding dystopian science fiction. I can’t wait to read it (it’s free this week).
This is a difficult subject for many. What inspired you to write this story in this way?
I think many of us who grew up in Christian homes wonder about the “end times” and the possibility of widespread persecution. What would it look like if it came to America, and what would we do if we lived to see such times? We project our own fears and faith onto the protagonist, which allows us to learn about ourselves and draw encouragement for the trails we face now.
What do you hope readers take away from this?
That everyone has something to contribute. Whether that be standing up against evil in your own way in your own life, or publishing your first book. You do not have to change the world, just the world within your own story.
Do you ever take breaks from writing?
Usually it’s unintentional and undesired. After some very rough life circumstances, followed by the joyous but crazy phase of getting married and moving, I took more time off of my writing than I would like. But it all comes around; God healed and matured me, and now I’m back to writing with a passion and more experience to share. I do, however, routinely rotate projects/series to keep everything fresh.
Why do you write?
When I first started writing, I wrote because it allowed me to cope with the “coming of age” struggles I was having by embodying those transitions in my characters. While I still do plenty of “writing therapy,” now I write because I’m passionate about Christian and indie fiction, and I want to help improve the public opinion about both genres and expose people to new things, one reader at a time.
This is book one. Tell me about the series.
The sequel thrusts Philadelphia out into the world and into adulthood. Not only does she have to “leave the nest” and find her own spiritual foundation—something we all have to go through—but she begins to realize the “outside world” isn’t all black and white as she gets tangled in political plot and scandal. Because apparently I can’t write anything without getting into dramatic politics.
Who is your favorite character? Scene?
Ephesus has always been a favorite, although Stanyard will soon get his time in the spotlight. My favorite scene from Red Rain is the most spoiler-y one in the book, so I won’t explain it, but I’m also very fond of the scene were Stanyard leaves. Because foreshadowing!
Star Trek or Star Wars? Other? Which versions?
What kind of cruel question is this? I love all sci-fi! If I had to pick, though, I’d let go of both Star Wars and Star Trek and keep my dystopian instead (Hunger Games, Divergent, etc.).
Great choices!
Favorite science fiction book?
Besides The Hunger Games and Divergent, do the new Star Trek spin-off comic books count? Because those may or may not be my guilty pleasure…
I think they definitely count! 😀
How do we find you?
You can keep tabs on all my writing on my blog. For news about the Unaccepted series, you can subscribe to the mailing list or like our Facebook page. Alternatively, you can just stalk my personal Facebook wall.
Final words
It took me about a year to take Red Rain from a broken partial draft idling on my hard drive to a published book. What can you do in the next year?
Good morning, Ladies and Gents! Welcome aboard Flight 74 heading for the Red Planet, Mars. Please strap on your seat belts because this promises to be one wild ride. We’ve got free books galore, three fun giveaways, author interviews, and more. Let’s get this adventure started!
About the Book
17-year-old Philadelphia has been imprisoned most of her life because of her Christian beliefs. When her father is sent to Mars against his will to work on a mysterious science project and a benevolent official allows her to accompany him, Philadelphia knows she must keep her head down or be sent back to prison on Earth. But when she stumbles into the wrong hallway and accidentally learns too much, Philadelphia is faced with a question she doesn’t want to answer: the choice between returning to Earth—or destroying it.
Free Offers
Aubrey is such a generous gal. She’s not only offering Red Rain for free this week, but if you sign up for her newsletter, you can also get the prequel short story for free! What are you waiting for?
About the Author
Aubrey Hansen is a pink-haired, caffeine-fueled twenty-something. She’s a writer (obviously), barista, dog trainer, and the co-founder of Penoaks Publishing. She shares her house in Kansas City with three cats, a pit bull, a snake, a ferret, and a husband.
What Reviewers are Saying
“One day while I was busy mindlessly entering data into the computer at work, I put on my head phones and started listening to the book. I was hooked from the first few sentences. In fact, I stayed up late when I got home (even though I had to get up early the next morning) to finish the book.”-Amazon Reviewer
“With solid craft and poignant world building, Aubrey Hansen has outlined a future both horrifying and realistic. I appreciated Hansen’s character building skills.”-Amazon Reviewer
“I loved this book! I didn’t realize it was a short novella, and I wished it would have been longer.”-Goodreads Reviewer
“The story was fascinating. I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but everything came together in the end and it made sense.”-Goodreads Reviewer
Giveaway
Aubrey is offering three paperback copies of her book, Red Rain. This book will have the new cover on it. And the grand prize offering will also have the paperback of Faith Blum’s book, Heaven’s Jubilee, a Christian futuristic collection of short stories. To enter the giveaway, please fill out this Google form (you do not need a Google account to enter). The only required entries are your name and email address, but the more you do, the more chances you have to win.
Excerpt
Tour Schedule
June 2
Bookish Orchestrations-Tour Introduction and Excerpt
Laurel’s Leaves-Author Interview
Frances Hoelsema-Excerpt
Aubrey Hansen, Author and Screenwriter-Excerpt
Perpetual Gardener, Writer, and Mormon-Book Spotlight
The Overactive imagination-Book Spotlight
June 3
Grace Pennington-Excerpt
Gabriellyn-Excerpt and Author Interview
Joyful Peacock-Author Interview
June 4
Letters from Annie Douglass Lima-Excerpt
Another OtherWorld-Character Interview with Philadelphia
Jaye L. Knight-Excerpt
June 5
Mary’s Writing World-Book Spotlight
God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae-Book Spotlight
Rachel Rossano’s Words-Excerpt and Author Interview
June 6
Tale Weaver-Author Interview
Lisa Swinton Queen of Random-Book Spotlight
Irly Scribblings of David J Hartung-Excerpt
June 7
Bookish Orchestrations-Tour Wrap-up and Giveaway Announcement
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THE GRAND PRIZE:
Not long ago, I noticed funny things going on in the back-half of one of our nannies. When they moved to our acres, we knew some of them were pregnant, but not much else. I had the boys catch her and collar her, in case she needed a midwife intervention.
We’ve had a small chicken flock for a while. We’re up to 7 hens + Top Man. The hens started laying. It was a party in the kitchen when our oldest found the first egg.
{Bokerah} 