Today we are chatting with Alechia Dow, author of
The Kindred!
Read on for more about Alechia and her book!
Meet Alechia Dow!
Alechia Dow is a former pastry chef, teacher, and librarian. When she’s not writing, you can find her having epic dance parties with her little girl, baking, reading, or traveling.
Meet The Kindred!
“Utterly swoony…an endearing reminder that true love can change the world”
—J. Elle, New York Times bestselling author of Wings of Ebony
To save a galactic kingdom from revolution, Kindred mind-pairings were created to ensure each and every person would be seen and heard, no matter how rich or poor…
Joy Abara knows her place. A commoner from the lowly planet Hali, she lives a simple life—apart from the notoriety that being Kindred to the nobility’s most infamous playboy brings.
Duke Felix Hamdi has a plan. He will exasperate his noble family to the point that they agree to let him choose his own future and finally meet his Kindred face-to-face.
Then the royal family is assassinated, putting Felix next in line for the throne…and accused of the murders. Someone will stop at nothing until he’s dead, which means they’ll target Joy, too. Meeting in person for the first time as they steal a spacecraft and flee amid chaos might not be ideal…and neither is crash-landing on the strange backward planet called Earth. But hiding might just be the perfect way to discover the true strength of the Kindred bond and expose a scandal—and a love—that may decide the future of a galaxy.
Amazon * B & N * Indiebound
~ Author Chat ~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
I really love the idea that you could have someone in your head, sharing your life and thoughts, who will care about you and love you, even when you are across the universe. Given how our world is right now, it’s a really lovely idea that we aren’t surviving alone.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
I can’t choose between Joy and Felix!
YABC: Which came first, the title or the novel?
The novel. I definitely struggled with a title for this one and was terrified it would be too close to Octavia Butler’s brilliant and classic book, Kindred.
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
The crash! I had such a fun time writing that scene but it was also difficult to make sure the reader could visualize everything in that moment and be afraid for the characters. I see it so clearly in my head, and getting that on the page was a triumph!
YABC: Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
When I started out in this industry as a querying writer who had so much to learn, I would take and apply every piece of feedback I got from friends and readers. If someone told me to try and write more like another famous Black author, I would try… and fail. Now, I’ve come to learn and appreciate that my writing style is mine. Not everyone will love it, and that’s okay!
YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?
Galaxy hair! I also really love the colors. Honestly, it’s a great cover in every way.
YABC: What is the main message or lesson you would like your reader to remember from this book? I hope the main message readers take away from this story is: no matter where you are, you are never alone. There’s a whole universe that appreciates you for who you are.
YABC: What would you say is your superpower?
I used to think it’s baking, I’m really great at making desserts people love. But as I get older, I realize it’s the ability to make people feel comfortable and laugh.
YABC: Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?
We Need Diverse Books!
YABC: What advice do you have for new writers?
Keep writing, even when it’s hard and find cps and people who you can trust with your work. Celebrate every opportunity that comes your way. If writing makes you happy and you have a story you want to share with the world, please write it. There’s so much in the publishing industry you can’t control, but the one thing you can do is write.
The Kindred
Author: Alechia Dow
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Publish Date: January 4th, 2022
