PHOTO: Tanya Stewner smiling warmly, captured during her creative process in a cosy lakeside writing retreat. ©Joerg Schwalfenberg
Author Translator Environmental Advocate Creator
Tanya Stewner has a rare gift: the ability to weave wonder into the everyday, transforming the mundane into realms of possibility. From her earliest stories, penned at the age of ten, she harboured a desire to evoke curiosity and courage in young hearts. Over time, that spark grew into a flame, illuminating the pages of Liliane Susewind and the Alea Aquarius saga—series that have charmed millions, transcending borders and languages.
Her own journey—from studying translation and literature, to enduring twenty‑four rejections before triumph with Liliane Susewind—speaks of perseverance and quiet faith. It’s no surprise that her protagonists blossom through adversity: shy Alea, once hidden and uncertain, gradually discovers her voice and her power through friendship, music and the call of the sea. These stories are not mere escapism, but tender explorations of belonging, self‑belief and collective hope.
What strikes me most is how seamlessly Tanya entwines environmental awareness and artistry, embedding serious questions about our planet within adventures and melodies. Whether setting sail to Loch Ness or forming a band aboard a ship, her narratives never feel didactic—they exude the joy of discovery first, the lessons of responsibility softly following.
As you turn the pages of our conversation with Tanya Stewner, you’ll sense the same sincerity that animates her characters: a belief that stories can both delight and uplift, that friendship and courage are born in the calm as much as in the storm, and that the magic in every child lies waiting to be heard.
Tanya Stewner’s vivid imagination, lyrical storytelling and heartfelt commitment to ecological themes resonate deeply with young readers worldwide.
In The Colors of the Sea, Alea ventures to Loch Ness; what inspired you to incorporate this legendary location into her underwater journey?
I have a very special connection to the UK, as I studied there for two years in the 1990s and lived in London. My family and I also enjoy spending our annual holidays in the UK, so I’ve been to Loch Ness several times. I’ve always found it to be a very special place, almost imbued with a sense of mysticism. It’s easy to see why people believe they’ve seen a sea monster like Nessie. The lake has its own mysterious aura, which truly sparked my imagination. That is why I moved a large part of the plot to Loch Ness in the second volume of Alea Aquarius.
How do Alea’s evolving relationships with the Alpha Cru reflect her personal growth throughout the series?
At the beginning of the series, Alea is a very shy girl. She is an outsider in her school class and has no friends. When she meets the Alpha Cru, she realizes for the first time that she is accepted for who she is. This allows her to open up and make genuine friends. As a result, she begins to grow because she feels stronger and no longer needs to protect or defend herself. You could say she starts to blossom, discovering her own potential and becoming stronger with each book. But it’s not just her own growing strength that carries her through her adventures and the story. It’s also the strength of her friends, which she relies on time and again. Ultimately, the message of the saga is that you can’t tackle big challenges alone. You need friends and allies, and together, you can achieve anything.
“I’ve always found \[Loch Ness] to be a very special place, almost imbued with a sense of mysticism.” – Tanya Stewner
The Alea Aquarius series intertwines fantasy with environmental themes; how do you balance these elements to engage young readers?
Environmental issues are very close to my heart. In fact, you can find various environmental themes woven into each of my books. I always strive to integrate these topics seamlessly into the plot. For young readers in particular, it’s essential to highlight the problems we face while also offering solutions. However, I do this within the narrative so that it doesn’t come across as a treatise or a didactic lecture. Instead, readers are drawn into an exciting story that also educates them about the environmental challenges of our time. Most importantly, I want to instill a sense of hope. It’s crucial for me to convey that we can still change the course of our future together.
Can you discuss the role of music in the Alea Aquarius series and how it enhances the storytelling experience?
In the Alea Aquarius books, Alea and her friends form their own band, playing street music to make a living. Since they are traveling alone on a ship without any adults, they need to earn money. They also write their own songs, expressing their feelings, fears, and hopes through their music. Wherever a song appears, we include a QR code next to it, linking to actual songs that exist. My husband and I are a well-rehearsed singer-songwriter duo, so it made perfect sense for us to write and compose the music for the Alpha Cru ourselves. We spent a considerable amount of time searching for the right voices for our characters, and fortunately, we found five young voices that matched perfectly. I believe the element of music adds an extra layer of magic to the reading experience.
Your books often highlight the importance of friendship; how do you approach developing these bonds between characters?
Friendship is a significant theme in my books, largely influenced by my own experiences as a child, when I had no friends at school and often faced bullying. Back then, I frequently dreamed of being part of a group in which everyone could be themselves and everyone supported one another—essentially, I envisioned something like the Alpha Cru. This makes it easier for me to write about friendship now as an adult, as I can still connect with that childhood dream. I craft my characters in such a way that they can form friendships as the story unfolds. I visualize them in my mind’s eye, as if they have lives of their own, and I can sense which characters are particularly drawn to one another. There’s a certain energy between them that suggests they could become really good friends. Writing about this feels as if I’m simply allowing the inherent qualities of the characters to guide the narrative.
“Alea realises for the first time that she is accepted for who she is.” – Tanya Stewner
Having studied literature and worked as a translator and editor, how have these experiences influenced your writing style?
I have learned a great deal about literature and novel writing, and this knowledge feels like a ship navigating the open seas. When I write, I dive into the vast blue, but I always return to this ship to sift through and organize my thoughts. It’s a chance to reflect on everything from a stable foundation before I venture out into the open sea once more.
With The Water’s Call and The Colors of the Sea now available in the USA, how do you feel about introducing Alea to an English-speaking audience?
I’m incredibly excited, and this is a significant milestone for me. It’s not just special to be published in the USA; it also means a lot personally, because I have English-speaking friends who have never had the chance to read one of my books. I’m thrilled that I can finally share my stories with them. I’m also eager to see how my books will be received in the USA and whether they can find success, as this will determine if additional volumes of the saga will be translated.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who wish to write stories that combine adventure with meaningful themes?
The adventure must take precedence; the exciting and emotionally engaging parts should prevail. The themes that one might want to embed a message in should not be in the foreground. Otherwise, readers might feel as if they are being lectured. The story takes center stage, while the messages are in the characters’ backpacks, ready to be unpacked and revealed at the right moment.
“I integrate environmental topics seamlessly into the plot so it doesn’t feel like a lecture.” – Tanya Stewner
