Another Way Of Being
In Another Way of Being, a hybrid woman named Advena and her daughter, Nova, leave their star-bound existence to seek a connection with the human father Nova has never known. Set against the peaceful backdrop of Prince Edward Island, this poignant tale follows an unconventional family as they navigate the wonders and vulnerabilities of the human experience. As they learn to trade telepathy for conversation and logic for emotion, they discover that being human is a journey of the heart as much as the mind.
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What if your very existence challenged everything your people believed?
Advena isn’t like the others on her spaceship—she feels. In a world ruled by logic and control, she harbours a dangerous secret: emotion. Born of two worlds, half-human and half-extraterrestrial, Advena’s journey begins with a forbidden encounter on Earth that sparks questions even she can’t answer.
As her body changes in mysterious ways and an unfamiliar yearning awakens inside her, Advena must navigate the treacherous terrain of identity, belonging, and transformation. When her hybrid daughter Nova is born, their bond becomes the catalyst for a quietly revolutionary mission—one that may just change the fate of Earth itself.
Another Way of Being is a quietly powerful blend of speculative fiction, emotional discovery, and subtle social commentary. Margaret Westlie invites readers to look beyond the stars—and into the depths of what it means to be truly human.
FOR FANS OF…
The gentle, domestic focus of Another Way of Being will remind you of Becky Chambers’ The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, echoing the poignant journey of non-human beings navigating the vulnerabilities and “poetry in disguise” of the human experience.
IN MARGARET’S WORDS – THE BACKSTORY
“Our home has a panoramic view of the West River on Prince Edward Island. In 2012, just before we moved into this house, there was an article in the Charlottetown Guardian about a report of a UFO gliding up the West River. There was only that single mention, and although I was told about the event, I never did see that article. No matter, my fertile imagination took over. I wondered what would happen if aliens really did mate with us? It was a fun ride. I imagined an alien captain who discovers and loves Red Rose tea; I imagined the experiences of a young hybrid woman who falls in love with an earthling whose house is not far from our own. I imagined how each changed. The man learned to think logically, like an alien, while his hybrid girlfriend slowly opens herself to human emotions.”
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
“I picked this up expecting a standard sci-fi alien invasion, but found a profoundly moving exploration of human emotion and connection. The blend of extraterrestrial capability with the simple, tender discovery of love and family was unexpectedly beautiful.”
BOOK DETAILS:
- Series: Other Novels
- Genre: Speculative Fiction / Science Fiction
- Themes: Alien Hybridity, First Contact, Parenthood, PEI Setting, Human Emotion
- ISBN-13: 978-1-926494-11-1
- Publisher: Selkirk Stories Book Publishing