Tiffany Nieslanik is a writer in Denver, CO. She spends most of her days herding cats, children, and words on the page (not necessarily in that order.)

Her debut novel, Home Planet, follows astronaut Bryn, who discovers she’s pregnant three days before launching on a solo mission to find humanity’s last hope, on a journey that will test everything she thought she knew about identity, motherhood, and what’s worth fighting for.

Tiffany is a proponent of power naps, a voracious reader, and thinks you are full of magic.

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Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

I had a few different titles in mind for my book, but about halfway through writing it, Home Planet came to me and just felt like the perfect fit for the book.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

Seeing my book’s cover was such an incredible feeling. It’s so pretty and shows exactly the view of the planet Tern that I had hoped for. I think it lends itself perfectly to the story and I absolutely love it. Holding the book in my hand for the first time was an indescribable feeling. I definitely got a little teary and felt so proud of this accomplishment.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I can’t remember a time I didn’t want to write. Perhaps there was a person who influenced me early on, but it was so long ago I don’t remember it. As a science fiction writer, I’m forever looking up to writers such as Octavia Butler and Ursula Le Guin.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I mainly work in community and journalism, both of which tie fairly closely to being an author. But some of my most unusual jobs in my life include being a lifeguard at Shark’s Reef in Typhoon Lagoon at Disney and serving in the 82nd Army Airborne unit after high school.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

The most rewarding part of publishing my book was seeing how it has inspired my kids and led them to think about me in a different light. We are all voracious readers and when they were able to physically hold a copy of my book in their hands, I could see the impact that had and how they realized all that time at my computer in the evenings and on weekends led to this moment.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

“Space Song” by Beach House

“10,000 Emerald Pools” by Borns

“Supernatural” by Barns Courtney

“It’s Been a Little Heavy Lately” by Joesef

“No One Noticed” by The Marias

“Sleep to Dream” by Fiona Apple

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I hope readers take away a sense of reckless optimism from my book as well as an understanding of how heavy it can be to balance motherhood against personhood and all the things that come along with it.

What creative projects are you currently working on?

I’m getting to write a second book in the same universe as Home Planet. I also write for a women’s health company in my day-to-day life and am always involved in hosting events for that community as well.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

I really enjoyed the editorial process of working with Atmosphere Press. My editor (shout out to Megan Sells) helped improve my book time and time again with thoughtful feedback that I could directly act on. Even though it was difficult at times, I know that she really helped polish my story to make it better than I could have hoped for.

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