Natacha Belair has A Stellar Purpose for her award-winning debut novel

Ottawa-based Canadian author Natacha Belair has made a noteworthy entrance into the world of fiction with her debut novel A Stellar Purpose and its sequel A Stellar Purpose II.

In the realm of young adult science fiction, Belair’s A Stellar Purpose has quickly emerged as a groundbreaking series, interweaving fantastical narratives with pressing global concerns such as environmental conservation and animal rights.  The first two parts of her trilogy are captivating readers and earning acclaim. 

A Stellar Purpose came to her when she “experienced an incredible dream” about five years ago. “It felt as though I travelled to another dimension that looked like our galaxy—endless black space speckled with millions of stars and distant planets—and interacted with a group of individuals whose life purpose is to help save Earth from human destruction before it’s too late.” As an impassioned environmentalist and advocate for animals, Belair strives to treat her surroundings —people, places and creatures— with respect. And she encourages others to do the same.  So when she woke from her dream, she realized, “I had stumbled upon the inspiration I needed to write my first novel”.  

She has two ambitions with the A Stellar Purpose trilogy: first, to craft engaging stories that introduce young readers to mind/body/spirit concepts, such as living one’s true purpose, karmic energy, past lives, and interstellar travel. Second, she wants to address real-life topics such as environmental protection, animal rights and social responsibility by delivering sci-fi-filled adventures set in exciting, inspirational storylines. Through her narrative, Belair aims to demonstrate that “healing oneself and healing our planet go hand-in-hand”. 

The series, of course, is not the product of inspiration alone. Significant perspiration has also been expended. Belair holds an honours BA with a major in Communications from the University of Ottawa, and her professional background is rich with experience in the writing process: “I’ve spent my career drafting and editing countless documents while dreaming of writing fiction stories. A Stellar Purpose is my first novel, and I intend on pursuing this new passion for years to come.”

Raised in a French-Canadian household – and babysat by an aunt who spoke Spanish and English – Belair was exposed to linguistically and culturally diverse literature from a young age. “As a fully bilingual child, I could choose from a plethora of entertainment options,” she smiles. While she favoured American television and movies, she preferred books by French-Canadian authors (The Filles de Caleb series and the Le goût du bonheur trilogy were among her favourites). Though she does not credit a particular book with inspiring her journey to authorship, her multilingual upbringing and exposure to a wealth of stories played a formative role in shaping her love of reading and “discovering fascinating worlds brought to life through words”.

At the heart of Belair’s trilogy is Avery, a well-rounded fifteen-year-old girl who suddenly has the power to enter an alternate dimension. Here, she discovers that her life’s purpose is to protect animals and help save the planet  . . . before it’s too late. As the trilogy’s main protagonist, Avery undergoes a transformative journey from insecurity to intrepidity. “I love her spirit,” Belair shares. “At first, she’s sweet and insecure, then evolves into a determined and audacious young lady as the storyline progresses.” Avery and  characters like Noa and Ty—each grappling with a unique childhood trauma—illustrate the complexities and challenges faced by today’s youth. Belair relished the important work of delving into the darkest parts of Noa and Ty’s backstories, while keeping the narrative PG-rated. 

Belair’s goal is to tap into the undeniable transformative power of literature, particularly speculative fiction, to influence societal attitudes and behaviors. Novels such as Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games series, Marie Lu’s Legend and Jeanne DuPrau’s City of Ember continue to have an influential grasp on the consciousness of readers in an uncertain world. With its urgent themes of environmental and animal advocacy, A Stellar Purpose invites young readers to consider their place in – and obligation to – the natural world, as they adventure vicariously with Avery.  

In Belair’s experience, creating characters with whom readers can identify is crucial in motivating readers towards self-awareness and change. “Living with two teenage daughters, I know that many teens feel overwhelmed and powerless… This is why I created characters that struggle with the same feelings they do,” she notes. Her ultimate goal is to entertain while spurring readers into action. She hopes to help inspire the newest generations to devise innovative solutions to the environmental challenges left unresolved by previous generations.

Belair’s success is evidenced by the way A Stellar Purpose continues to gain both recognition and readership. Last year, the book was awarded the 2023 Nautilus Book Awards Gold Winner in the Young Adult Fiction-SciFi category – a prestigious accolade that places Belair among past recipients such as Neil deGrasse Tyson, Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle, and His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama. According to the book’s publisher, Virginia-based Köehler Books, these awards rank in the top 1% of all book competitions.  But what is most meaningful for Belair is that this award celebrates books that “support conscious living, green values, wellness, spiritual growth, social change and social justice.” She is proud that this honour recognises the alignment of her work with values that promote positive societal and personal development.

Outside of her writing (and yes, she does have a life outside words), Belair enjoys spending time in beautiful Ottawa – outdoors whenever possible – with her family, including her husband, two teenage daughters, and an assortment of “fur and scale babies”.  

And one of her favourite pastimes is chatting with fans – which readers are invited to do this Sunday, March 17 at 2pm ET at The Ottawa Bagelshop.  As part of a brand new writers festival called “Ottawa Bagelshop Storytime for Book Lovers”, Belair will read from A Stellar Purpose and answer fan questions. 

The event is free of charge and suitable for all ages, and Belair’s appearance is conveniently timed on the final Sunday of the March Break.  To learn more about this unique opportunity to meet Belair and discuss the A Stellar Purpose trilogy in the friendly environment of a beloved Ottawa eatery, visit Events – Ottawa Bagelshop and Deli. 

© Arpita Ghosal, SesayArts Magazine, 2024