Every Tuesday, get to know a bit about the stories behind the books you love, and discover your next favourite novel.

Zilla: As activists and card-carrying science fiction nerds, we could not be more excited at Night Beats to welcome Helena Trooperman’s novel Power Within to our bookcases—and Helena herself to our interviews. Helena, can you start off by telling us about your book?

Helena: She’s a tech genius. But unless she can invent a daring rescue, her soulmate will die.

Toronto 2032, in a subtly alternate reality. Innovator Athena Cartwright wants to change the world with her self-charging coms device. But her focus shifts when her life-partner and oil company CEO leaves on an emergency trip to a stricken rig off the African coast.  And when she learns the worst has happened, she takes matters into her own hands to save him.

With everyone from the catastrophe presumed dead, Athena is furious the authorities refuse to take further action. But her partner carries one of her prototypes… and he’s just called. Though bringing him back alive will pit her against corrupt governments, greedy conspirators, and deadly high-seas pirates.

Can Athena’s daring strategy outwit global foes who want him dead?

Zilla: What inspired you to write this book?

Helena: In these times of climate change, where the world leaders are participating in the last great grab of land, power, and resources, I chose to embrace the other future that’s on offer, the sustainable future of cooperation, abundant power, and technological revolution. It’s exciting, problematic, fraught with dangers, and has a steep learning curve. Plus, I wanted to empower my growing teenagers that sci-fi is a great way to imagine better friendships, family, embrace diversity, inventiveness, and technology to help communities thrive sustainably.

Zilla: Is there a visual image that inspired you? A picture that sums up your hopes for a better future?

Helena: It felt great to have our say in Toronto. You don’t have to be an activist, and campaigning doesn’t have to be negative. Freedom of speech isn’t just for haters. Ordinary people can make a difference because we have power. Together that power is magnified!

Zilla: If you could meet your characters, what would you say to them?

Helena: To Athena, I’d say, “Thank you. Your small acts of courage and dealing with your fears, helped me be more courageous in my writing.” And to James, I’d say, “I don’t believe being in oil makes you evil. I think it makes you stubborn. Use the cash you donate to governments to help your organization. Are you courageous enough to pioneer transition away from fossil fuels?”

Zilla: And what would they reply?

Helena: “I catch my negative self-talk these days,” Athena would say. “And now, I make things happen, rather than let them happen to me. It takes every scrap of energy and determination I have.”

“Fossil fuel organizations are considered the villains but there was a time when we were heroes,” James would say. “Demand is still there but Athena’s right, the time is fast approaching where alternate energies could meet the world’s energy requirements. It’s time to transition.”

Zilla: Who is your favourite fictional character that you didn’t write?

Helena: El from the El Donasii series by Laurence Dahners. El is an inventor who hates hurting anyone. She’s humble and she’s kind. If she has to she’ll stand her ground, defend herself and those about her.

Zilla: Thanks for sharing your story and your process. We’re looking forward to reading! Where can the Night Beats community find you and your book?

Helena: Power Within is book one in the Age of Unity. Find out more at my website. Check out my (almost) monthly newsletter, Reader Hat On, and how Athena (green power) and James (Mr. Oil) meet, in my free downloadable Origin novella: Always On.