Get ready to learn more about the book Stargun Messenger in this discussion with sapphic author Darby Harn.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Darby Harn about Stargun Messenger, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Space category in the 2026 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write Stargun Messenger?
Stargun Messenger actually began as an idea almost thirty years ago. It never really coalesced for various reasons (I didn’t know I was autistic, which frustrated my creativity in ways I never knew). The book came together at the right time, I think. This story is about knowing and valuing who you are as a person, and making no compromises for it. It’s about acknowledging yourself, and loving who you are, and fighting for your identity.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
Hard to pick a favorite character, but Idari is probably my favorite. She’s an absolute disaster, forgetful, prideful, and stubborn. But she’s courageous, determined, and compassionate. She’ll do whatever it takes for the people she loves, and in her case, that ends up fighting an army of literal darkness to save the last living stars.
What was the biggest challenge writing this book?
I mentioned before learning I was autistic. I didn’t appreciate the degree to which this impacted my creativity (ideas basically get tangled in each other, frustrating linear thought). It wasn’t until I realized this that I was able to make real progress on making the book work. That took years. The book came out in 2023; the original idea goes back to 1996.
If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?
There are two sequels – Beyond Lights Reach and the third book in the trilogy, Taker of the Dawn. That is up for preorder now!
What is your writing process like?
I am an absolute pantser. I’ve gotten more structured as I’ve gotten older, but I still love discovering the story as I go along.
What’s your favorite writing snack or drink?
KIND bars!!!
Do you have any odd writing quirks?
I use my thumb for the space bar. I taught myself how to type and I’m pretty sure I’m doing it wrong.
When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?
I listen to lots of music. Usually I choose something that fits the mood. I don’t really listen to music with lyrics anymore as I write, as there’s too much thought pollution.
What do you do to get inside your character’s heads?
I focus a lot on how they talk. Voice is the gateway for me to discover a character, and almost always build a book. How a character speaks is how they think, and is a kind of music I’m trying to orchestrate in a scene, a chapter, or usually, an entire novel.
Have you ever cried when writing an emotional scene?
I might have at the end of Stargun Messenger. I don’t really do happily ever after, but that’s as close as it gets.
Do you feel bad putting your characters through the wringer?
I really disliked putting Idari and Emera through it in Beyond Lights Reach. Some bad things happen, especially at the end of the book. It’s part of the story; bad things happen to good people. But you never like to do it.
Have you ever hated one of your characters?
I really don’t hate characters. I try to present them as unbiased as possible. Cardboard cutouts are not compelling to the writer or reader. So the villains in Stargun Messenger are complex, tragic, and I hope dimensional. I wouldn’t say I like them, though.
Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?
There are so many. Frankenstein. The Stand. The Hours. Dubliners. A lot of comic books, too. X-Men. Watchmen. Love and Rockets.
What books did you grow up reading?
I read whatever my mom had around, which was a lot of mystery and crime fiction. I probably shouldn’t have been reading it as a kid, but a lot of those books were page turners and taught me a lot about telling a story and keeping it interesting.
What book do you wish you had written?
I’d love a take on Frankenstein that was more feminine. Victor is trying to overcome death, not create life, and the story is a classic, but there’s a version of it that’s more centered on life, the female, and the joy of life in all its forms.
