Author Chat: Claire Barner, Writer of “MOONRISING”

This is B.C. Johnson, your cosmically adrift indie author, and today we’re sitting down with Claire Barner, author of debut sci-fi romance novel MOONRISING.

About the Author

My name is Claire Barner, and I’m a sci-fi romance author. I like to blend complex characters and compelling relationships with social commentary, humor, and science. My books reflect the diversity of our world and feature multicultural and LGBTQ+ characters. I live in Chicago, and am the mom of three.

My debut novel, MOONRISING, is coming from Diversion Books in July 2025.

The Questions

1. Do you have a writer you idolize?

My biggest writer inspiration is Lois McMaster Bujold, who wrote the Vorkosigan Saga, starting with SHARDS OF HONOR. Bujold writes vivid characters and complex relationships in rich sci-fi settings. She expertly navigates action and adventure with softer character studies, always with laugh-out-loud humor and interesting science.

If that sounds fun to you, I’d highly recommend reading along with the podcast Plot Trysts, which just wrapped a re-read of the full series. 

2. What are you reading right now, and how is it?

I recently devoured the sci-fi romance novella FULL SPEED TO A CRASH LANDING by Beth Revis, and I can’t wait for the sequel coming soon.

3. Who’s the best Deep Space 9 character (and why)?

I love this question! I enjoy the whole ensemble, but Jadzia Dax is probably my favorite. I love her epic romance with Worf, her navigation of her friendship with Sisko through multiple hosts, and her sense of humor. 

Author Claire Barner as Jadzia Dax

4. How did you celebrate your first novel getting published?

I found out that I had an offer from Diversion Books for MOONRISING when I was hiking with my family in the woods in northern Wisconsin. We celebrated at a nearby brewery.

It was wonderful to be surrounded by my husband, kids, parents, sisters, and their partners during such an exciting time. My family is incredibly supportive of my writing career and are my beta readers, thought partners, and cheerleaders at every stage of the writing process.

5. If they make a Moonrising movie, who should play Dr. Alex Cole?

I could see Sophie Turner being great in the part. Alex doesn’t take shit from anyone and has a “me against the world” mentality. Over the course of the book, she learns how to let people in and trust them.

6. Do you prefer hard sci-fi or soft sci-fi?

Soft sci-fi is more my speed. I enjoy deep character studies and strong relationships. That being said, Andy Weir is one of my favorites, and I can always go for more science in my sci-fi. 

7. What do you find easier, dialogue or narration/description?

Dialogue comes easiest to me. I love banter between characters, and it’s so much fun to put two characters in a scene together and see what unfolds. When drafting MOONRISING, I put eccentric self-taught rocket scientist Victor Beard and sensitive artist Rashid Al Kaabi in a room together, and next thing I knew they were falling in love!

Who Would Love Your Books?

My debut novel, MOONRISING, is coming from Diversion Books in July 2025. MOONRISING is a sci-fi romance set fifty years in the future on the first Moon colony.

Readers who enjoy cozy sci-fi like A LONG WAY TO A SMALL, ANGRY PLANET by Becky Chambers, accessible, fun science like in THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir, and a good romance like WINTER’S ORBIT by Everina Maxwell will enjoy MOONRISING.

Follow me on social for a pre-order link coming soon!

Where to Find the Author

Website: clairebarner.com 

X/Twitter: @clairebarner

Bluesky: @clairebarner.bsky.social

Instagram: @clairebarner_author

Threads: @clairebarner

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Next Time: Next Week

This is BC again, thanks for stopping by! We’ll be taking a break for Thanksgiving this Thursday, but we’ll have more authors for you next week.

You can subscribe to my blog to get updates as they arrive, or follow me on Threads where I’ll be posting them as well.