Today we chat with Alechia Dow and talk all about her recently published debut, The Sound of Stars. From the inspiration behind her novel, to her story and struggles as a debut author, and to pop-culture references and her expertise as a pastry chef, everything unravels in today’s post. So, brace yourself and read further to find out her answers!
Your freshly released debut, The Sound of Stars, published on February 25th 2020! Can you tell us about it and why everyone should include this book in their reading list?
THE SOUND OF STARS follows a teenage rebel librarian, a music-loving alien, and their unlikely friendship on a perilous road trip to save humanity. It’s a love story and love letter to books and music, and to science fiction and its power to explore themes that are part of our reality today. While it may be dark at times, it’s about HOPE, and it begs you to fight for the future. I think you should include it on your reading list because it’s inclusive, it features a dream-pop band complete with song lyrics, and it has so much heart! Please read it!
As a debut author, it can be an extremely long and tiring process to finally getting published. Can you share your very own writing and publishing experience for other hopeful authors out there?
I’ve been writing since I was a kid, but never thought I was talented enough to become a published author. Through working odd jobs, going to school, and reading a million books, I wrote stories for fun. But not seriously until 2016, when I wrote my first heavy duty sci-fi book that was selected to be mentored by Tamara Mataya… and that I eventually shelved. Tamara taught me how to write smarter and better, and I applied that to my next book, which was THE SOUND OF STARS in June 2017. I pitched the story to Pitch Wars in August and didn’t get in. Then I pitched it in #PitMad in September, and agents liked it! Three days later, I had an offer. After months of revising with that agent, we realized we had different visions and parted ways. Then I was back to querying this nearly finished book! A month later, I signed with a new agent. And six months later, we had an offer. It was wild. I didn’t believe it was possible. But I was lucky to have found the perfect editor for my story and Inkyard Press has been incredibly kind to me, by not only giving me a *gorgeous* cover, but supporting me throughout this process. It’s been an absolute dream.
Now, let’s talk about the characters in your debut, starting with Ellie! Being a silent rebel who shared hopes through the magical power of stories, we can’t admire her enough! What was it like when you started writing her character and how was the process of developing her?
I always consider my characters beforehand, they are the key to my stories and I need to know them before I can write them. From there, I decide what themes I want to address and where I want the story to go… but the process of getting there is not settled until I’m drafting. With Ellie, I knew I wanted someone who is strong, quiet, loves and will do anything for her family, is rebellious but also very careful. Each situation I put her through showed a new side to her. At the beginning she’s closed off and bitter, but over the course of the story, she opens up not just to Morris, but to the possibility of hope.
And of course, there’s Morris! For you, is there a challenge for developing a non-human character which has strong human emotions and traits?
I relate a lot to Morris; I’ve felt like an outsider in sometimes, what feels like, a very different world. He is raised to be emotionless but with free choice, he elects to feel everything. While both Ellie and Morris are rebellious in nature, Ellie is guarded and Morris is very open about his feelings. He is emotional and wears his heart on his sleeve, even when embarrassing or impractical. I think there’s a sort of bravery to that. I absolutely loved writing an alien character who tries to understand humanity through music and his interactions with Ellie. It wasn’t a challenge, it was a delight!
As a former pastry chef, can you visualise what’d Ellie and Morris most likely to snack when they’re hanging out together?
Ellie and Morris have a difficult time finding delicious food on their dystopian road-trip… but if Ellie could have anything, it would be ramen, doughnuts, and pizza, ha! As for Morris, he loves fresh fruit and very flavorful dishes. I think he would enjoy Ellie’s ramen very much, but also he’d LOVE tacos.
You threw a lot of Easter Eggs into The Sound of Stars and of course, we squealed every time we found one! For you, what’s the consideration for featuring certain pop culture in your debut?
When I chose the art to feature in The Sound of Stars, I really wanted to pick songs and stories that were universal, and modern enough without dating the book. With music, I chose artists and songs that I thought people would keep safe and cherish at the end of the world. For books, Ellie would have lended out stories that meant the world to her, that were diverse and portrayed themes that were dear to her heart; inclusivity, revolutionary, and adventurous!
Told in alternating point-of-views, how was the process of writing the perspective between Ellie and Morris?
Morris and Ellie are two very different characters that form a bridge through art and later affection. It felt very organic to write them, to have their back-and-forth, and share their history and their hopes. I’m a very straightforward writer, I sit down and I write linearly, which I’m not sure is right, but it works for me, ha! So the tone is (hopefully) consistent, but their reactions should feel normal and realistic. I can’t say it enough, I had an absolute blast writing this story!
If this story were to be adapted, are there any actors and actresses that you think will be able to bring these characters to life?
I get asked this question a lot and it’s so tough! There aren’t that many plus size teen black actresses, so it would be hard to cast Ellie. I guess I would go with Riele Downs, but I’m not sure. I would really want a plus-size actress for her, and I can’t think of any right now! For Morris, I would say Xolo Maridueña… he would be perfect!
We’re incredibly excited for this book, as it’s in our list for most anticipated 2020 releases. For you, what’s your most anticipated titles for this year?
My most anticipated releases of this year are… I have so many! I have to say I loved GODDESS IN THE MACHINE by Lora Beth Johnson, GLITCH KINGDOM by Sheena Boekweg, CROWNCHASERS by Rebecca Coffindaffer, and HENNA WARS by Adiba Jaigirdar! I cannot wait to read: A SONG BELOW WATER by Bethany C. Morrow, LEGENDBORN by Tracy Deonn Walker, THE GILDED ONES by Namina Forna, A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN by Roseanne A. Brown, WHERE DREAMS DESCEND by Janella Angeles, INK by Tori Bovalino, and ACE OF SPADES by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé!!
Lastly, what’s next for you?
Right now, I’m going to enjoy my book being released into the world! I’m going to enjoy having a book on shelves and in the hands of teens who may love or need it. And… I’m having TWO book launches: Books of Wonder in NYC on March 16th, 6-8pm in conversation with Sheena Boekweg, Hannah Capin, Katie Henry, Emma Lord, Kyrie McCauley, and moderated by Sierra Elmore…and Astoria Bookshop on March 17th, 7pm, in conversation with the incredible Zoraida Córdova!! Beyond that, I’ve written quite a few new stories that will hopefully one day become books! Fingers crossed. I want to thank you so much for having me, and your thoughtful questions!
