We chat with author S.G. Prince about If All the Stars Go Dark, which is an intergalactic enemies to lovers romance where tensions are high but the stakes are higher.
Hi, S.G.! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Of course! I’m a sci-fi/fantasy author who’s always been really interested in people and how they connect. I think worldbuilding and magic can draw readers in, but for me, it’s the relationships that really give a story its heart. I’m fascinated by how people form bonds and how those bonds are tested, especially in extraordinary circumstances. I also really enjoy exploring how relationships evolve under pressure. How do things like power and fear influence the way we see each other? And how can things like love and loyalty help us overcome those challenges? These are the themes I like to explore in my work.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I started writing stories as a seven year old during long family road trips as way to pass the time. I think being stuck in the backseat with nothing but my imagination taught me how to take an idea and build on it. Those early stories were definitely messy, but the act of writing and creating sparked something in me, and I never let go.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (first time a book ever made me cry as well!)
- The one that made you want to become an author: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (literally so good??)
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Most recently, it’s Alchemised by SenLenYu (talk about a dark novel!)
Your latest novel, If All the Stars Go Dark, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
You won’t believe the ending.
What can readers expect?
So many things! At its core, If All the Stars Go Dark is a story about connection. When I was writing the book, the relationships between the characters came first, and it’s really what drives the plot. I’d say readers can expect high emotional stakes and characters who are forced to confront both love and loss in ways they never anticipated. I’d also add that it’s a good science fiction for non sci-fi readers (more of a space opera, if you will) since it blends sci-fi with fantasy elements.
Where did the inspiration for If All the Stars Go Dark come from?
I was on a run way back in 2018 listening to As You Were by Pierce Fulton, which is this really driving electronic track that’s great for running and (apparently) book ideas. I love how the song starts, and as I kept replaying it while sprinting up this hill, I had a flash of inspiration: a pilot was being introduced to their new partner, and they were pretty pissed off about it. But why was this pilot so angry? What happened to his old partner, and who was this new guy? Most of my stories start like this—a moment of conflict with a lot of questions—and the book just blossomed from there.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I really loved exploring the humor between Keller and Lament. A lot of their banter is born out of survival, and they use their wit as both a shield to protect themselves and, eventually, a bridge to connect them. It became one of my favorite ways to show how the trust was growing between them, especially in a world that didn’t give them many reasons to feel safe.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Self-doubt. It’s something I think most writers wrestle with, no matter how long they’ve been doing this. I overcame it by reminding myself that doubting my work is part of the process and doesn’t necessarily mean I’m doing something wrong. Usually, I’ll start to doubt myself if I’m trying something new (in this case, writing my first YA and also my first space opera), though in truth, doubt doesn’t need a reason. I’d say showing up consistently and finishing the draft mattered more than trying to silence that voice.
What’s next for you?
I recently turned in my second YA manuscript and have since started on another. It feels so good to be in that early, exploratory stage where anything is possible and the story is just beginning to take shape.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
Oooo, okay, some of the books on my short list are The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightly (I read the first in the series and have been eagerly awaiting the second) and also The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi (I’ve heard such good things).
