BooksChatter: ℚ♫ Regeneration: Echo Hunter 367 [2]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Stacey Berg to talk about Regeneration (14 March 2017, Harper Voyager Impulse, 448 pages), a Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian novel, book two of Echo Hunter 367 series.

“Echo Hunter 367 may be a clone and callous killer, but she’s one with true heart and soul. Regeneration is a thrilling conclusion to Berg’s dystopia duology.” — Beth Cato, author of The Clockwork Dagger series

“Regeneration by Stacey Berg is a paean to resistance, hope, and love, a Canticle for Leibowitz that passes the Bechdel Test and then some. This post-apocalyptic clash of values and technology demonstrates beautifully that physical bravery can only take you so far; real change only happens when we have the courage to listen.” — Nicola Griffith, author of Hild

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || The Series || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to Stacey Berg; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

Here at BooksChatter we love music; do you have a music playlist that you used in Regeneration, or which inspired you whilst you were writing it?

"I don’t listen to music while I’m writing, but I do when I’m thinking about writing. Often if I’m working through some problem in my story, I’ll go for a run and listen to some tunes and try to relax and see what bubbles up. For Regeneration, the playlist was post-grunge heavy."

What was the inspiration for Regeneration?

"The inspiration for Regeneration was thinking about what happens when a society starts rebuilding—not in the immediate years after a disaster when people are clawing to survive, but later, when society is on the cusp of expanding again into a new age. I was thinking pretty specifically about the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (better known as the Doomsday Vault). If Doomsday came and you survived, how would you know when to open the vault? What would give you the courage to decide it’s time?"

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"I’m a doctor and medical researcher, so the genetics and cloning mentioned in the book reflect some of my professional interests. I’ve also studied martial arts for a while, and I used that training as directly as I could in the fight scenes. "

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Regeneration - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"The cover of Regeneration was a team effort between my editor at Harper Voyager Chloe Moffet, the art department there, my agent Mary C. Moore, and me. We wanted something that visually reflected the plot, and felt dynamic and exciting. So we ended up with a great image of a church set in a wasteland, with its spire surrounded by lightning bolts!"

Why should we read Regeneration and what sets it apart from the rest?

"If you like character-driven science fiction with a fast-moving plot, I hope Regeneration (and its prequel Dissension) will appeal to you. If you like strong women, I’m pretty sure you’ll like Echo and her friends (and enemies)."

Can you tell us something quirky about Regeneration, its story and characters?

"CJ Cherryh is one of my favorite writers. There’s a character in Regeneration who’s actually named after the main character in my favorite series of hers. You’ll have to read it to see who ;)"

Who would you recommend Regeneration to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"As I mentioned, I think anyone who likes character-driven SF could enjoy Regeneration. It’s full of kick-butt women with complex inner lives, and it doesn’t slight the men either. In terms of audience, I didn’t aim the story specifically at young adults, but I would have loved it as a teenage reader. There’s some violence, but it’s not graphic or gross; some sad things happen, but life is like that. And the series is definitely LGBT-friendly."

If you could / wished to turn Regeneration and the Echo Hunter 367 series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"Many readers have told me that Dissension would make a great movie, and I think Regeneration would work even better. Dream casting? Hmmm. Halle Berry would be perfect as Echo. Maybe Carrie-Ann Moss. Somebody who could do physical and troubled at the same time! For locations, I would set it in the desert from Patricia McKillip’s The Sorceress and the Cygnet, without the dragons."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"Not counting my day job, where I read (and write) a ton of medical research-related literature, I mostly like to read speculative fiction. Literary fiction tends to be too close to daily life for me to enjoy it except in small doses. I also read a fair amount of nonfiction, mostly popular science and natural history. When it comes to writing fiction, it’s always science fiction and fantasy for me."

What is your writing process?

"Butt in the chair, day after day. I’m not the kind of writer who can count on cranking out 5000 words one day a week or 50,000 words in a maniacal month; I have to set myself a consistent schedule and work my way through the story. Also, I carry little notebooks everywhere. I love it when inspiration strikes, but I definitely believe that fortune favors the prepared mind, at least when it comes to mine."

What is in store next?

"Regeneration wraps up the Echo Hunter 367 story for now. I’m hard at work on my next book, which is still a secret, but I’m very excited about it!"

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?