Picture a Canadian storyteller who swapped military boots and Arctic labs for the thrilling cosmos of science fiction—meet Jeannette Bedard! With a knack for blending hard science with heart-pounding adventure, Bedard crafts tales that explode with action, often in the first fifty pages, captivating readers with her unique perspective.
The Making of Jeannette Bedard
Born with an overactive imagination, Jeannette Bedard’s journey to authorship was anything but linear. As a young girl, she battled insomnia by weaving fantastical stories, a habit that fueled her creative spark. Her early career saw her serving in the Canadian army, a role that instilled discipline and a taste for adventure. Later, she ventured into the Arctic as a scientist, studying the planet’s extremes while earning multiple degrees. This eclectic path, coupled with her love for math jokes (especially pi-related ones), shaped a storyteller who thrives on blending grit, wit, and wonder.
Jeannette Bedard’s Unforgettable Stories
Bedard’s science fiction novels are a thrilling mix of hard science and high-stakes drama, often set in isolated, futuristic worlds. Her debut, Day 115 on an Alien World (2018), kicks off the Settler Chronicles, following a disgraced soldier uncovering a saboteur on a crashed colony ship. Inspired by The Martian and her fascination with biodomes, the series spans four books, culminating in a finale released in 2024. Fractured Orbits (2022), part of the Encoded Orbits series, introduces Veena, a military cipher decoder, and her telekinetic daughter, Molly, navigating a universe of wormholes and alien threats. Bedard’s latest, The Lost Star Chart (2025), continues her signature style: quirky characters, a touch of humor, and explosive action. Her writing, honed through dogged persistence during a PhD and motherhood, reflects her admiration for authors like Becky Chambers, whose rich worlds she emulates.
Bedard’s stories stand out for their authenticity, drawn from her military and scientific background. Whether it’s the claustrophobic tension of a sabotaged colony or the ethical dilemmas of genetic mutations, her narratives pulse with real-world stakes, wrapped in a speculative sheen. Readers love her ability to craft settings that feel both alien and relatable, often with a dash of Canadian charm.
Why Jeannette Bedard Matters
In the vast galaxy of science fiction, Jeannette Bedard shines as a fresh voice, bridging hard science with human stories. Her diverse experiences—soldier, scientist, mother—bring depth to her work, resonating with readers who crave adventure and authenticity. While not yet a household name, her growing bibliography and dedicated fanbase signal a rising star. Bedard’s ability to weave complex themes like identity and survival into action-packed plots makes her a must-read for fans of cerebral yet thrilling sci-fi.
- Key Works: Day 115 on an Alien World, Fractured Orbits, The Lost Star Chart
- Fun Fact: Bedard lives on a non-tropical island in the Pacific with her husband and daughter.
Snag Day 115 on an Alien World and dive into Jeannette Bedard’s explosive sci-fi universe!