Space Time Magazine Interview Author Haley Cavanagh

GALAXY: Milky Way, PLANET: Earth, SPECIES: Humanoid. OCCUPATION: Author, GENRE: Sci-Fi…



IDENTIFICATION OF HUMANOID: Hargrove Perth

Haley Cavanagh is a military veteran, wife, and mother. She is an alumna of Columbia College, a musical theater nut, and she loves to dive into any book that crosses her path.

[image error]Haley Cavanagh Author Picture

Haley resides with her family in the United States and enjoys spending time with her husband and children when Haley’s not writing.

She also writes award-winning romance novels under a pen name. Astraeus is her first science fiction novel with Covey Publishing, and it won the Paranormal Romance Guild’s 2018 Reviewer’s Choice Award.

[image error]Paranormal Romance Guild’s 2018 Reviewer’s Choice Awards Novel

Haley loves to hear from her readers and encourages you to contact her via her website and social media.

SEARCH: ENQUIRY: AUTHOR INTERROGATION

ALEXA WAYNE (AW): When did you find out you would want to write novels?

HALEY CAVANAGH: I’ve always written, but I didn’t get serious about it until I was pregnant with my second child, about ten years ago.

AW: You mentioned your work, all set in science-fiction or cyborg settings, would you let our readers know why you are attracted to that genre?

HALEY CAVANAGH: Yes. When I was younger, my uncles were big Trekkie fans. In the early eighties, they had me watch every episode of Star Trek (the TV show), and made sure I was adequately indoctrinated into sci-fi early on. I write in different genres and am a published romance novelist under a pen name, but sci-fi is my original love.

[image error]Astraeus by Haley Cavanagh

There’s the truth, wisdom, and something to be said about the human condition when you place a man in space and take him out of his natural habitat. I think sci-fi appeals to many because there’s always a fundamental statement about the man beneath it.

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AW: When writing about sci-fi, do you do research and if so, how far do you go with your research?

HALEY CAVANAGH: Yes, I research. It depends on what the book is specifically about. The adage, ‘write what you know’ rings true, but after seven books and venturing into a new genre, you have to be familiar with what you’re writing.

We’re luckily planetarium pass holders, and I frequently read on astrophysics and follow NASA’s social media (in addition to being a sci-fi geek). I will usually get out and do a bit of substantial research to set the mood.

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AW: What is most important to you when writing your novels?

HALEY CAVANAGH: The characters themselves. They have to seem real to me as if they were sitting next to me. I can have the book outlined and plotted out to the nines, but if I can’t see the characters, neither will the reader. Once they’re fully developed, it’s easy to write. However, characterization is essential. I like to know whom I’m writing about.

[image error]Astraeus by Haley Cavanagh

AW: Which authors influenced your writing in science-fiction?

HALEY CAVANAGH: Stephen King. I read The Stand when I was sixteen years old, right around the time the TV mini-series came out. He has had a tremendous impact on my writing. John Grisham, Alice Walker, Dean Koontz, Orson Scott Card, Marie Lu, and Suzanne Collins, to name a few. The list is endless—so many wonderful authors.

AW: Which of your novels is your favorite and why is it your favorite?

HALEY CAVANAGH: I enjoyed writing Astraeus. I’ve written seven romance novels under my pen name, some of which have won awards, but Astraeus was the first book which I wrote that I would feel comfortable letting my daughters read in a year or two.

[image error]Astraeus by Haley Cavanagh – Audio book promo

I dedicated the novel to them, in fact, and it’s a story I’m proud of having written. I loved writing it, and I enjoyed the world-building aspect of it. Plus, I’m a massive sci-fi nerd, and it was fun to tap into that side of my imagination.

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AW: Do you believe in alien visiting our world, by that I mean in abduction or close encounters of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th kind?

HALEY CAVANAGH: I think it’s probably happened at one time or another. With water-sustaining planets such as Titan, Io, and many others were finding out about, it stands to reason that if we exist, others exist, right? Water, sunlight, and breathable air foster life, so it’s only logical.

My guess is we probably seem primitive to them in both our contentions with another ideologically and politically, and they might consider our technology in the horse and buggies stage, which is why they haven’t introduced themselves. However, yes, I believe there’s life out there. It’s a vast, endless universe.

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AW: What was your reaction when you learned a publisher wanted you as part of their authors?

HALEY CAVANAGH: I shopped around for a while for a good publisher for Astraeus. Sci-fi is tricky because it has to be the right fit. Some publishers only publish one genre, and some aren’t looking for futuristic sci-fi. I was delighted when Covey Publishing offered a contract.

[image error]Astraeus – Character Art

They’re a newer publisher, but they’re off to a great start, and they know what they’re doing. I’ve enjoyed being published with them. They’re fantastic with their authors and care about quality, which is something important to me as an author.

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AW: What sets you apart from other science-fiction and cyborg authors?

HALEY CAVANAGH: You know, there are some fabulous sci-fi and cyborg authors out there. I couldn’t say why my writing is set apart from theirs. I’d frankly be honored to be considered up to their caliber. I can tell you that I have a military background which lends a compelling, realistic take on certain aspects of the storyline and characters.

[image error]Astraeus Coming Soon to Audible by Haley Cavanagh

Astraeus is a unique, award-winning novel, and along with a strong plot and intense action, there is emotion, depth, and a more profound message behind it all. I’ve been told my writing is layered, and there are many pieces to the novel which unfold as you read.

AW: What can readers look forward to from Haley Cavanagh in 2019?

HALEY CAVANAGH: The Astraeus sequel! I’m working on the sequel, which I’m hoping to finish before summertime, and I’ve also written the stage play and screenplay for the novel, so we’ll see where they lead.

For the future, I also have a YA Dystopian sci-fi on the back burner, which I’m hoping to dabble more in soon. Stay tuned to my social media and newsletter for more on that!

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AW: Thank you for your interview!

HALEY CAVANAGH: Thank you kindly for having me! I look forward to following your magazine, and I’m honored to be here. For any readers, the audio book for Astraeus will release in April. I will also be at FanX (Utah Comic Con) on April 19th and 20th with the novel, so come stop in and grab a book!

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