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ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN VORAKA
Article Published on 28 February 2025 by Gloria Poletti | www.vorakamag.com
Hanna Martin's story begins with traversing through an unstable childhood full of critical experiences that shaped the world she lived in, turning her from what was once an innocent child into a grown-up villain. Through the rough navigation of neurodivergence, depression, sexual assault, divorce, and abandonment, Hanna's story is one of turbulence and triumph. Hanna's adult life begins when she finds herself accidentally friends with a “sugar daddy” who attempts to groom her to be his head of security for the cult utopia he was cultivating. Instead, he introduces her to a sheriff in California, which begins her career in law enforcement as a deputy sheriff. Hanna leaves her whole life and everyone in it to start over in California and quickly finds herself deep in love affairs, lies, and a hostile work environment.
Despite a rough career start, Hanna never quits on her dreams of finding love and starting a family, wanting nothing more than to become a mother. Unfortunately, she instead finds herself in a toxic, abusive relationship that spirals out of control, where she seeks anyone to save her from the corner she
was backed into—all in the wrong places.
Against all odds, Hanna doubles down on herself and takes the risk of leaving her husband, realizing that the person meant to save her all along was herself. Risking her career in law enforcement, she voluntarily sends herself to a women-only inpatient treatment facility to seek help for all the scars she has collected throughout her life.
Hanna returns to a hostile workplace that forces her to leave law enforcement to continue her healing journey, choosing herself over what she once thought she wanted to be. Along the rocky road of figuring out everything there is to life with no blueprint, she finds love and support that actualizes her dream life. With newfound partnership and support, Hanna makes history as the first person in the United States to pursue a lawsuit against a court of law for gender discrimination.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debut author Hanna Martin released her heart and soul into her first book, The Scarlet Badge: A Memoir, in October of 2024. Her newly launched story comes as a culmination of over a decade of experience in law enforcement, in addition to being the first person in United States history to pursue a gender discrimination lawsuit against a court of law.
As a recipient of the Readers’ Favorite Five-Star seal of approval, Hanna’s momentum as an author has been full steam ahead, with reviewers describing her as “like a Phoenix rising from the ashes,” with a story that is articulated as “candid, detailed, and well-defined.” Since its release, the story has evolved into a platform for advocacy for women’s rights and equity, with 100% of the profits from its sales since its debut donated to help other women around the globe build independence through microloans for their businesses and education. The Scarlet Badge: A Memoir continues to make a buzz, as it is under consideration for numerous literary awards for 2025.
Hanna has just begun her ascension into authorship and looks forward to writing her next book in the summer of 2025, a speculative rom-com (with several future novel plots on deck to follow). She draws her inspiration from her colorfully vivid dreams and pairs them with deeply interesting concepts, ranging from philosophy, metaphysics, and spirituality. Hanna’s goal as a writer is to draw upon complex social concepts and present them in her stories in an entertaining and accessible way, relating to readers with candidness.
Springboarding off the overall response from readers of The Scarlet Badge: A Memoir, Hanna writes in a way that exposes the deep echoes of what it means to be human and continues to write with that as her signature style.
Hanna holds a passion for learning, with an educational background consisting of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics & Government and a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice, with research publications in juvenile justice and the nexus between transnational organized crime and terrorism. Hanna continues to wear many hats as a full-time police officer, wife, and toddler mom to a spirited baby girl. When time allows, she enjoys reading, being outside in the sun, and taking her daughter to museums.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR HANNA MARTIN
What inspired you to pursue a career in law enforcement, and how did those experiences shape your journey as a writer?
I simply would not be a writer had I not gone into law enforcement. Being a police officer has given me the opportunity to find myself and discover who I am, albeit it I did not travel the road of roses route to that end.
Can you share more about your decision to pursue a gender discrimination lawsuit against a court of law and how it influenced your memoir?
To continue reading the full interview, click here to download our Literature special issue.
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