We chat with author Manuia Heinrich about Salt Water Blood, which follows an Indigenous teen who hears the sea’s prophetic thoughts must rely on the gift she’s always feared to save her brother, and her island home.
Hi, Manuia! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! Thanks for having me! I’m a Tahitian Chinese author based in Aotearoa-New Zealand, where I live with my family. Three words that define me are family, traveling, and books. I started writing seriously (with the intention of getting published) while doing my PhD in Pacific Studies. Growing up in the Pacific, I didn’t see many books with characters like me, especially in YA, and I really wanted to change that. It’s one of the reasons I cofounded Pacific Islanders in Publishing, a non-profit that uplifts Pacific Islander voices and creators. My stories are rooted in my culture, and I can’t seem to write anything that doesn’t have a speculative edge to it.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I’ve always loved words and the power they hold, but it was only as a teen that I really fell in love with reading, especially fantasy books. After a few years devouring novels, I wanted to write my own stories, create my own worlds, and feature people who looked like me.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
- The one that made you want to become an author: The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
Your debut novel, Salt Water Blood, is out November 17th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Moana, with murder and romance.
What can readers expect?
It’s a true genre mash-up, so there’s something for everyone! Readers can expect a gripping YA supernatural murder mystery with sibling love, Polynesian representation, real-life environmental stakes, a cute rivals-to-lovers romance, and lots of twists and tension!
Where did the inspiration for Salt Water Blood come from?
As a Pacific Islander scholar, I’ve wanted to write about the nuclear tests in my homeland, French Polynesia, for a long time. Between 1966 and 1996, France blew up nearly 200 bombs in the archipelago, impacting people’s health and the environment for decades. But the idea for the book really stemmed from a question: If the sea could speak, what would it tell us? What would it say about our attitude toward nature and the signs we tend to dismiss regarding pollution, climate change, and environmental decline? I tied it all up in a murder mystery that shows the urgency we feel as Pacific Islanders to protect the environment and fight for the future of our islands and ocean.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Weaving light speculative elements and the cute romance into the story was really fun. The characters’ banter gave me some breathing space, and I think it’ll do the same for the reader. Temanea (Moe’s school rival) is a such cinnamon roll. He’s one of my favorite characters.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
The historical parts of the book were difficult to explore because of how emotionally charged they are for me. I like to refer to it as the behind-the-postcard story—a story that exposes the colonial realities my people have been living with for over half a century. I felt paralyzing anger every time I thought about the nuclear tests. What kept me going was the idea that this topic is bigger than me. It’s about my people and an injustice that the world barely knows about. It’s a story that deserves to be told.
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
Before Salt Water Blood, I wrote two manuscripts that didn’t land me an agent. I had a high request rate from agents though, so I knew I had good story concepts and pitches. So I kept reading, working on craft, and swapping work with writer friends. I also entered mentorship programs—and got selected three times! Working with mentors taught me a great deal about story structure while also preparing me for the industry.
Salt Water Blood was my third completed manuscript, and I could tell right away that it was the strongest. I got full requests from agents almost immediately and eight offers of representation. It was incredible! Once I signed with my agent, we sold the book at auction very quickly too. It’s the book I was meant to debut with.
What’s next for you?
I have a short story coming out in the anthology These Ghastly Depths (edited by Madeline Dyer) in 2027, which I’m very excited about. My second book, also a YA, is with my editor, so in the meantime I’m tackling the next project. Let me tell you: the fear of the blank page never leaves!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up soon? Any you’ve got your eye on that are releasing in 2027?
2027 is packed with incredible books! I’m so excited to get my hands on Conjure the Bones, Dhonielle Clayton’s adult debut set in a magical New Orleans, and Fleet of Wonders by Erin Hànyù Lynch, a YA featuring thieves in a deadly naval competition.
