Meet Diana Fedorak

We were lucky to catch up with Diana Fedorak recently and have shared our conversation below.

Diana, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

As a kid, I spent most weekends at the public library. I carried a book everywhere, including meal times. My parents were amused and encouraged me to keep reading. I always wanted to be an author, but I grasped early on that a creative career can be a crap shoot. Since my dad worked for Pan Am, I was also fond of aviation and aerospace endeavors. So I decided to join the Air Force. They helped pay for my college, and I learned quite a bit in challenging environments.
Once I became a mother, the old writing desire resurfaced. If you watch young children, their imaginations run wild. It also reminds you to be honest with yourself.
One weekend, an author showed up at my local library to give a free class on writing. I hopped in the car at the last minute. After that, I attended his monthly lectures for over a year. I didn’t write–I just listened. After the year was up, I thought, I better write something. So I penned a short story. Then I started taking more writing classes to learn the craft, and became determined to publish my first novel. I gained some traction when some of my short stories were accepted at literary magazines. That marked my mid-life transition to becoming a writer.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My first novel, Children of Alpheios, was published by The Wild Rose Press in 2023. It won several awards to include being listed as a Finalist in the Science Fiction category by the Independent Author Network. It’s a dystopian story set on another planet about a young mother in a Gattaca-like society who has a baby with a DNA anomaly. She tries to protect her son from being exploited by a corporation that controls the colony’s reproduction.
I wanted this story to be from a mother’s perspective, because it’s a realistic season most women pass through at some point. It was fun tapping into the lioness who will guard her young, and the story explores the implications of biotechnology. I also gave my heroine, Alina, some vulnerability because it felt natural since she has a young child.
My sequel, Origins Progeny, is releasing January 20, 2025. Alina is still called to protect her family, only it’s her mother this time that falls victim as a casualty to the colony’s regime. I explore how birthright relates to one’s identity, and if we can really ever escape that.
The series will be a trilogy, and I’m working on the third book at the moment. I love the worldbuilding process of this series. Alina is also a physiographer in addition to being a mother so she has some useful skills in her quiver. I commissioned a map of the continent, and researched NASA papers and astronomy articles to develop a habitable planet with caveats. I’m also currently collaborating with an artist to create character art that will be completed soon. The paperback and e-book is available on Amazon and most major book retailers. My website at www.dianafedorak.com has more info to include book club kits, a free prologue for readers, and announcements.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Keep a thick skin. Writing is a little like boxing in the sense that every writer faces rejection multiple times–you’re going to get punched in the face. Self-doubt is the primary reason most writers throw in the towel. You learn to become a better writer through rejection. If any editor gives you advice, take it as a sign of encouragement and implement their suggestions.
Find support. Writers often help other writers. Join a critique group for feedback on your writing. They often meet a local libraries for free. You’ll learn how to improve your craft. It’ll also encourage you to write regularly. You’ll also make invaluable connections.
Stay aware of the market. If you’re not reading successful authors constantly, you’ll struggle. You need to understand how they’re connecting with readers. Learn the rules first. Then you can figure out how to break them.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

There are a ton of books on writing, but if you read only one, make sure it’s Stephen King’s On Writing. He narrates his journey of becoming a writer, and it’s packed with practical advice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dianafedorak.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diana_fedorak_author
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dianafedorakauthor

Image Credits

Headshot Photo Credit: Bob Bartholomew