Switching Tracks: Out of the Trash follows a starving young woman who discovers maps to secret seed bunkers that, if found, would take power away from the corporatocracy and give people a fighting chance at survival. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The inspiration of the story came from thinking about all the trash today. Many things aren’t made to last and few things are repaired. Things are thrown out and replaced. The second piece of inspiration was about the train itself. My grandfather rode the rails during the Great Depression. His family lost their farm in Kansas and loaded up their car, Grapes of Wrath style, and moved to Utah to live with cousins. He was a young man and couldn’t stand living on charity and being reminded of it constantly. He and one of his brothers hopped a train to California, looking for work so they could send money home. He made the trip several times, back and forth, including one harrowing ride over the Sierra Nevadas trip in freezing weather with one jacket and two young men. His stories stuck with me. 

Elsa just wants to survive, until she discovers the maps to the seed bunkers; now, she sees a chance to change things not just for herself but all of humanity. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?

Her character development is meant to be like most of us. Most people are just ordinary and trying to get by until they are thrust into a position to do more. 

The seed bunkers exist. I didn’t make them up. They are there to hedge our bets against a disaster and crop failure, especially if we lose genetic diversity for our seeds and crops as is the trend. If we ever need these seeds, I hope they would be available to everyone, not just the richest corporations.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

It’s a story of grit and perseverance, as well as loyalty, altruism, love, and found family. 

Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out and what can your fans expect in the next story?

Yes, this is the first book of three (they are all written and in various stages with my publisher). The series is called Train Hoppers. The second book, The Long Haul: Pursuit of Hope will be published June 6th, 2024 and the final book, Rebels and Saints: Catching Freedom is scheduled for publication April 24th, 2025. 

In The Long Haul: Pursuit of Hope, the main characters have been recuperating on a farm in Utah but are found by GreenCorps and have to leave. One step ahead of their pursuers, they head for Canada to make contact with someone with resources to help distribute the bunker seeds. They are joined by two new characters, a pampered daughter of the GreenCorps elite and a long-time rebel. 

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website