Another Way of Being

By Margaret A. Westlie

Being human is a journey of the heart-but for Advena and Nova, the map is written in the stars.

Set against the peaceful, red-sand backdrop of Prince Edward Island, this poignant tale of speculative fiction introduces a family unlike any other. Advena, a hybrid woman born of a cosmic experiment, has spent her life aboard a starship, trading emotion for logic and conversation for telepathy. But when her daughter, Nova, begins to show the vulnerabilities of her own human heritage, Advena knows it is time to seek the one thing the stars cannot provide: a connection to the human father Nova has never known.

As they descend into the quiet community of Cornwall, PEI, mother and daughter must navigate a world of sensory overload-from the overwhelming scent of a grocery store meat aisle to the baffling social niceties of nosy neighbours. With the help of Jim, the earthling who once inadvertently sparked a new lineage, they begin to discover that humanity isn't just a biological classification-it's a "poetry in disguise" found in shared laughter, a warm biscuit, and the thin veil between worlds.

But hiding in plain sight isn't easy when you can manipulate atoms and read auras. When a local gossip's suspicions threaten their safety and an old secret puts them in the crosshairs of the community, Advena and Jim must decide if their unconventional family can survive the collision of two very different worlds.

Another Way of Being is a luminous, "hopepunk" exploration of parenthood, belonging, and the enduring power of love. Perfect for fans of Becky Chambers and Mary Doria Russell, it is a story that proves sometimes you have to leave the galaxy to find where you truly belong.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1926494113
• ISBN13: 9781926494111
• Release Date: February 2017
• Publisher: Selkirk Stories
• Length: 270 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"