Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a nomad who currently lives in a small village. I’m also a dreamer, a climate activist on a break and just a human being. I’ve recently published my debut sci-fi novel.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Entanglement is a sci-fi novel that is set in a world where the distinction between the virtual and the real has faded, and an inexplicable plague is changing the nature. A man flees his home, as he feels that something strange has happened to his loved one. A woman flees a restrictive community she’s spent her entire life in, as she starts questioning the Master’s methods. The books follows the characters’ adventures as they try to uncover the truth, struggling with their doubts about the nature of reality.
The book was inspired by my husband because I intended it as a wedding gift for him, but of course, I didn’t manage to finish it on time. That’s why deep connection between the characters is one of the themes of the book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know. I often start writing without a clear (or any) idea of what’s going to happen and discover it on the go, but I don’t think I’m the only one who does that.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Every book I’ve read has influenced me in one way or another. I definitely look up to N.K. Jemisin, Lois McMaster Bujold and James S.A. Corey for character development and world building, to Adrian Tchaikovsky for plot originality and details of how other beings might view the world and to Strugatsky brothers for clear and concise language that manages to convey a complex idea in just a few words.
What are you working on now?
I have an unfinished novel that needs a lot of editing and I’ve started another one, but I’m not currently working on them. At the moment, I focus on reading and discovering new, female voices in sci-fi.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m not good at marketing, so I shouldn’t be the one giving advice. What I do is talk to people on Goodreads and build relationships with other readers who like the same books, give my book away for honest reviews and give interviews. I’ve also started writing a blog about science fiction by female authors after I realized that most of the sci-fi I’ve read was written by men. I hope it will allow me not only to discover and promote talented writers, but also to build a community of sci-fi fans willing to expand their horizons. I review books by famous, as well as indie and self-published authors, and so far, it has been an exciting quest.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Give your book to beta readers before publishing it, gather honest feedback and take it seriously. It will help you see the issues in your work that you can’t notice on your own and give you a chance to improve it. It’s better to get those comments privately while you still have time to correct something than see disappointed readers giving low-star reviews to your book.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When you want to achieve something, start with small steps. The idea of doing something grand can be paralyzing and prevent you from any action at all, while taking small, measurable steps is easy and can can help you build a routine. For instance, writing a book can seem like an impossible and confusing task, but writing for 5 minutes today isn’t such a scary idea.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading Sinai Unhinged by Joanna Evans as part of my quest for female sci-fi. I’m also reading an unpublished book by a fried who was my first beta-reader as well.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to keep writing and working on my skills.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I think those should be practical books on building a hut, edible plants and survival, but maybe I’d also allow myself a luxury of one book just for entertainment. Let it be the last James S.A. Corey’s book from the Expanse series that hasn’t been published yet (Leviathan Falls). I want to know how the series ends, I haven’t read it so it’s going to be fun, and I trust the authors (there are actually two of them under the pseudonym) enough by now to know it’s going to be good.
Author Websites and Profiles
Alina Leonova Website
Alina Leonova’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile