Why I write (and read) young adult speculative fiction
To view a short video of me talking about young adult speculative fiction, click here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFOi2oUORUs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFOi2oUORUs
The Salarian Desert Game
What if someone you love gambled on her life - and lost?
Games are serious business on Salaria, and the stakes are high. When Kia's older sister, in a desperate bid to erase their family debt, loses the game and forfeits her freedom, Kia is determined to rescue her.
When Kia arrives on Salaria, she learns it's a world where a few key players control the board, and the pawns are ready to revolt. Kia joins the conflict in order to save her sister. As if she doesn't already have enough to handle, Agatha, the maddeningly calm Select who lives life both by-the-book and off-the-cuff -- and always at the wrong time, according to Kia -- shows up to help, along with handsome Norio, a strong-willed desert girl with her own agenda, and a group of Salarian teens earning their rite of passage in the treacherous desert game.
What can an interpreter and former thief possibly do in the midst of all this to keep the people she loves alive?
Listed on Canadian Best Books for Kids and Teens
Published by EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing
Praise for The Salarian Desert Game:
"Tense, thrilling, edge-of-the-seat reading--I tore through this! Kia and Agatha are a fascinating pair, Kia so practical, down-to-earth, and wilful; Agatha so mystical and driven. More, please!" - Tamora Pierce
"Strong, character-driven Science Fiction -- McLachlan makes you both care and think. You can't ask for more. I enjoyed both books in this series, and hope to see a third."
-- Tanya Huff, Aurora Award-winning author of The Silvered
"J.A. McLachlan's second novel proves the success of her first was no accident: she's a wonderfully talented writer, and her characters of Agatha and Kia are very appealing. Hop on board the McLachlan train; reading joy awaits."
- Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of Quantum Night
To receive the free short story about what happened to Kia between The Occasional Diamond Thief and The Salarian Desert Game, click here:
Games are serious business on Salaria, and the stakes are high. When Kia's older sister, in a desperate bid to erase their family debt, loses the game and forfeits her freedom, Kia is determined to rescue her.
When Kia arrives on Salaria, she learns it's a world where a few key players control the board, and the pawns are ready to revolt. Kia joins the conflict in order to save her sister. As if she doesn't already have enough to handle, Agatha, the maddeningly calm Select who lives life both by-the-book and off-the-cuff -- and always at the wrong time, according to Kia -- shows up to help, along with handsome Norio, a strong-willed desert girl with her own agenda, and a group of Salarian teens earning their rite of passage in the treacherous desert game.
What can an interpreter and former thief possibly do in the midst of all this to keep the people she loves alive?
Listed on Canadian Best Books for Kids and Teens
Published by EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing
Praise for The Salarian Desert Game:
"Tense, thrilling, edge-of-the-seat reading--I tore through this! Kia and Agatha are a fascinating pair, Kia so practical, down-to-earth, and wilful; Agatha so mystical and driven. More, please!" - Tamora Pierce
"Strong, character-driven Science Fiction -- McLachlan makes you both care and think. You can't ask for more. I enjoyed both books in this series, and hope to see a third."
-- Tanya Huff, Aurora Award-winning author of The Silvered
"J.A. McLachlan's second novel proves the success of her first was no accident: she's a wonderfully talented writer, and her characters of Agatha and Kia are very appealing. Hop on board the McLachlan train; reading joy awaits."
- Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of Quantum Night
To receive the free short story about what happened to Kia between The Occasional Diamond Thief and The Salarian Desert Game, click here:
Occasional
The ^ Diamond Thief
"Locks are no problem." ~ Kia
16-year-old Kia must learn the secret behind the mysterious diamond her father bequeathed to her, in time to save a dying planet.
What if you learned your father was a thief? Would you follow in his footsteps, learn his "trade"? If you were the only one who knew, would you keep his secret?
16-year-old Kia must learn the secret behind the mysterious diamond her father bequeathed to her, in time to save a dying planet.
What if you learned your father was a thief? Would you follow in his footsteps, learn his "trade"? If you were the only one who knew, would you keep his secret?
Kia is training to be a universal interpreter. Her plans go awry when she is co-opted into traveling as an interpreter to Malem. This is the last place in the universe that Kia wants to be—it’s the planet where her father caught the terrible illness that killed him—but it’s also where he got the magnificent diamond that only she knows about. Kia is convinced he stole it, as it is illegal for any off-worlder to possess a Malemese diamond.
Using her skill in languages – and another skill she picked up, the skill of picking locks - Kia unravels the secret of the mysterious gem and learns what she must do to set things right: return the diamond to its original owner.
But how will she find out who that is when no one can know she has the diamond? Can she trust the new friends she’s made on Malem, especially handsome but mysterious Jumal, to help her? And will she solve the puzzle in time to save Agatha, the last person she would have expected to become her closest friend.
Winner of the Book Publishers of Alberts Award for Science Fiction
Featured in VOYA, the Americal Library Journal for Young Adult fiction
Published by EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing
Using her skill in languages – and another skill she picked up, the skill of picking locks - Kia unravels the secret of the mysterious gem and learns what she must do to set things right: return the diamond to its original owner.
But how will she find out who that is when no one can know she has the diamond? Can she trust the new friends she’s made on Malem, especially handsome but mysterious Jumal, to help her? And will she solve the puzzle in time to save Agatha, the last person she would have expected to become her closest friend.
Winner of the Book Publishers of Alberts Award for Science Fiction
Featured in VOYA, the Americal Library Journal for Young Adult fiction
Published by EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing
Praise for The Occasional Diamond Thief:
"J. A. McLachlan is a terrific writer -- wry and witty, with a keen eye for detail. I've been following her work with interest and delight since 2003. In a world where young-adult fiction is booming, The Occasional Diamond Thief propels McLachlan to the front of the pack." -- Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of FlashForward
"The story is full of humor, danger, fun, and adventure. This is Science Fiction anyone would love." -- J. Jones, VINE VOICE
"Loved it! I haven't read a heroine I loved this much since Katniss Everdeen. McLachlan's Kia is smart, tough and hilarious, and pairing her with serene, forgiving Agatha left me laughing long after I finished the story. The settings were vivid, the plot raced along, and the themes kept me turning pages. McLachlan combines her love of science fiction, ethics and good, old-fashioned storytelling in The Occasional Diamond Thief, and the results couldn't be better. I loved every page." -- Amanda Darling
"Flawless--The Occasional Diamond Thief was one of those rare stories where I found myself hanging onto every word. McLachlan delivers a fast-paced, unpredictable story with perfectly-executed twists. Descriptions were succinct and epigrammatic with no room for boredom. It felt so real, it was almost like being in the theater with a surprise treat at the end. Much like the theater, once the credits have started to roll and the crowd starts to thin, there was a snippet at the end that you do not want to miss." --BittenbyBooks.com
"The Occasional Diamond Thief will attract fans of Tamora Pierce and Robin McKinley. Strong female protagonists who are believable and capture our hearts with their determination to overcome obstacles during a quest for justice make for great reading." -- Linda Stortz
"The Occasional Diamond Thief was definitely a page-turner. I enjoyed the depth of the characters, the intricate story line and how easily I was able to immerse myself in a futuristic world. J. A. McLachlan is an amazing writer and I would definitely recommend this book! Both my 14-year-old daughter and I loved it." -- Tom von Kapherron
"J. A. McLachlan is a remarkable creator of worlds, a remarkable creator of character, a master of suspense. In short, a remarkable storyteller. You don’t have to be a young adult to love this book." -- Sheryl Loeffler, Writer, A Land in the Storytelling Sea
"The book was a well-written action thriller. It starts off with family tragedy, but evolves into a heart-racing thriller. The characters are believable, the plot action-driven, and the world-building is well done. I recommend this book for people who like action and intrigue." -- Patricia Humphreys
"This terrific novel has everything I look for in a good read - a mystery to hook me right from the start, a new world/society to check out and "play" in, and characters I feel invested in.... This book is one I would recommend to anyone..." -- Mary-Ellen McAlonen
"McLachlan has created a simple, but compelling universe that doesn’t strain credibility and serves as the perfect backdrop for Kia’s journey. She even weaves in a sweet love interest that proves to have his own secrets. Woven into the overall plot are mystery and thriller elements that will keep readers turning pages. McLachlan’s novel is reminiscent of Madeline L’engle and Ursula K. LeGuin’s young adult fiction. My highest recommendation." -- Melanie Marttila
"The story is full of humor, danger, fun, and adventure. This is Science Fiction anyone would love." -- J. Jones, VINE VOICE
"Loved it! I haven't read a heroine I loved this much since Katniss Everdeen. McLachlan's Kia is smart, tough and hilarious, and pairing her with serene, forgiving Agatha left me laughing long after I finished the story. The settings were vivid, the plot raced along, and the themes kept me turning pages. McLachlan combines her love of science fiction, ethics and good, old-fashioned storytelling in The Occasional Diamond Thief, and the results couldn't be better. I loved every page." -- Amanda Darling
"Flawless--The Occasional Diamond Thief was one of those rare stories where I found myself hanging onto every word. McLachlan delivers a fast-paced, unpredictable story with perfectly-executed twists. Descriptions were succinct and epigrammatic with no room for boredom. It felt so real, it was almost like being in the theater with a surprise treat at the end. Much like the theater, once the credits have started to roll and the crowd starts to thin, there was a snippet at the end that you do not want to miss." --BittenbyBooks.com
"The Occasional Diamond Thief will attract fans of Tamora Pierce and Robin McKinley. Strong female protagonists who are believable and capture our hearts with their determination to overcome obstacles during a quest for justice make for great reading." -- Linda Stortz
"The Occasional Diamond Thief was definitely a page-turner. I enjoyed the depth of the characters, the intricate story line and how easily I was able to immerse myself in a futuristic world. J. A. McLachlan is an amazing writer and I would definitely recommend this book! Both my 14-year-old daughter and I loved it." -- Tom von Kapherron
"J. A. McLachlan is a remarkable creator of worlds, a remarkable creator of character, a master of suspense. In short, a remarkable storyteller. You don’t have to be a young adult to love this book." -- Sheryl Loeffler, Writer, A Land in the Storytelling Sea
"The book was a well-written action thriller. It starts off with family tragedy, but evolves into a heart-racing thriller. The characters are believable, the plot action-driven, and the world-building is well done. I recommend this book for people who like action and intrigue." -- Patricia Humphreys
"This terrific novel has everything I look for in a good read - a mystery to hook me right from the start, a new world/society to check out and "play" in, and characters I feel invested in.... This book is one I would recommend to anyone..." -- Mary-Ellen McAlonen
"McLachlan has created a simple, but compelling universe that doesn’t strain credibility and serves as the perfect backdrop for Kia’s journey. She even weaves in a sweet love interest that proves to have his own secrets. Woven into the overall plot are mystery and thriller elements that will keep readers turning pages. McLachlan’s novel is reminiscent of Madeline L’engle and Ursula K. LeGuin’s young adult fiction. My highest recommendation." -- Melanie Marttila
Walls of Wind A Science Fiction novel
What if males and females were completely different species from each other?
WALLS OF WIND explores this question and its ramifications on a world in which males and females are two equally intelligent sentient species: Ghen and Bria. They are interdependent and reproductively symbiotic, although physically, emotionally and mentally they have little in common. Or so they believe, until their city-state is threatened by increasing internal conflict and a terrifying external predator that has invaded the forests just beyond their walls.
A handful of Ghen and Bria struggle desperately to find a solution before their civilization is destroyed.
WALLS OF WIND combines anthropological speculation with the tragedy, suspense and triumph of individual characters who struggle to overcome external threats as well as their own internal fears and prejudices.
WALLS OF WIND explores this question and its ramifications on a world in which males and females are two equally intelligent sentient species: Ghen and Bria. They are interdependent and reproductively symbiotic, although physically, emotionally and mentally they have little in common. Or so they believe, until their city-state is threatened by increasing internal conflict and a terrifying external predator that has invaded the forests just beyond their walls.
A handful of Ghen and Bria struggle desperately to find a solution before their civilization is destroyed.
WALLS OF WIND combines anthropological speculation with the tragedy, suspense and triumph of individual characters who struggle to overcome external threats as well as their own internal fears and prejudices.
Praise for Walls of Wind
"In ways SF readers can favorably compare with icons of the genre, such as Ursula K. Le Guin, James Tiptree Jr. and Robert J. Sawyer, WALLS OF WIND boldly weaves anthropology, psychology, drama, future history, even meteorology, into a tapestry of viewpoints and epiphanies that propel McLachlan's characters toward a necessary and illuminating change in their collective relationship. ... If you read no other "alien" authors this year, don't miss WALLS OF WIND." - Bookreporter
Read the full review in BOOKREPORTER
I've had a lot of science-fiction writing students over the years, but few have shown the talent, determination, and skill of Jane Ann McLachlan. Every piece I've seen by her has been first-rate, and I recommend THE WALLS OF WIND wholeheartedly, and without any reservation. Look out, C. J. Cherryh! Step aside, Hal Clement! There's a new master of truly alien SF, and her name is J. A. McLachlan. THE WALLS OF WIND is doubtless THE debut novel of the year.
~ Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning science fiction author
"O. S. Card got into the alien hive mind in the latter books of his “Ender” series. Octavia Butler did the same in her “Wild Seed”. No other writer I know of comes close to J. A. McLachlan depicting the thoughts and emotions of two truly alien species and their society as well as the environment in which they live."
~ by SFWriter
Listen to my CBC interview on Walls of Wind and science fiction.
Frenchy decides he needs to get money to buy himself a bone. He tries to do chores around the house, but they all backfire. Jeremy’s older sister babysits – how hard can it be to sit on a baby? Frenchy practices on Jeremy’s little sister, Claire, then sets out with some flyers to advertise his services. But Babysitting is harder than it sounds!