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Local author publishes young adult science fiction novel
by Blair Burnett
Contributing Writer
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Rachel Walker is published under her pen name, Sterling Walker. contributed

Rachel Walker makes her authorial debut with a book set in the future. After five years of hard work, her young adult science fiction novel The Orphan Ship has been published under her pen name, Sterling R. Walker. The story follows a male and female protagonist on a mysterious and dangerous journey to uncover the truth about disappearing homeless children.

“I’ve always been a writer. Before I could even spell I was making comic books. I’ve worked [on The Orphan Ship] for five years, and the only drawback I came to when I was finished was my nervousness in trying to find a publisher,” Walker admits. Now aligned with Black Rose Writing, based in Austin, Texas, Walker is allowing herself to focus on a career as an author.

“For me, completing the writing process would only ever work if I truly had the entire plot worked out to where it was completely character driven,” Walker stated. With several other manuscripts unfinished throughout her house, Walker is not perplexed as to why she finished The Orphan Ship over her other ideas.

She has an extensive resume built up over the years in volunteering for adoption advocacy and the foster care system. Walker describes herself with a passion to help the world’s neglected youth.

“This story is set in the future, but the social commentary would work in any century. My whole premise [with The Orphan Ship] was to explore the idea of what would happen to children left on their own, without anything, foster care or adoption,” Walker commented. She has six children, two of them adopted.

“I want people to get into the story, but I also want readers to sympathize with the plight of a homeless child, and have compassion in a world where it is easy to be indifferent. This story makes you think; it’s not just fluff.”

Already working on The Lost Sheep, her sequel to The Orphan Ship, Walker is tight-lipped about the journey she has her characters go on next. “I can’t give too much away, but [The Orphan Ship] ends at a point where the loose strings aren’t tied up for all of the characters. I didn’t end with a cliff hanger, but I’m glad I left it off where I did, because I’ve enjoyed working on the sequel,” Walker said.

For information about Rachel Walker and to find out where and how you can purchase a copy of her newly released novel The Orphan Ship, visit sterlingrwalker.blogspot.com or blackrosewritingbooks.com.

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