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Author Topic:   X-15: Wings Into Space (Outward Odyssey)
ColinBurgess
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Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-29-2009 07:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ColinBurgess   Click Here to Email ColinBurgess     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It gives me great pleasure to announce that a contract has now been awarded for yet another book in the Outward Odyssey series, bringing the total number of series books now completed, being copyedited or researched and written to 10, with another (final) two remaining to be considered for publication.

The newest book to join the fleet is "X-15: Wings Into Space, Flying the World's First Reusable Spacecraft" and the author is Michelle Evans, a well-known spaceflight enthusiast and writer with a renowned passion for the X-15. This will be a social history of the X-15 program, which means that it will lean more to the human side of the story - and not just the pilots. Over many years Michelle has researched the X-15 extensively and recorded some rather amazing interviews, including two with a certain Mr. Armstrong.

It is a true pleasure to welcome Michelle Evans to the growing list of UNP authors, but don't rush out looking for the book just yet; it is currently slated for a Spring 2012 release.

The announcement today from UNP was very timely; Michelle suffered bad injuries to her legs in falls at her home and is currently hospitalised and immobilised for a few weeks. This news came as a real tonic to someone in rather low spirits. I wish Michelle all the very best for a speedy recovery.

cspg
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Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006

posted 01-29-2009 07:52 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for cspg   Click Here to Email cspg     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This looks to be a great addition to the series. Best wishes to Mrs Evans for a speedy recovery.

garymilgrom
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Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 01-29-2009 08:26 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for garymilgrom   Click Here to Email garymilgrom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Colin I've enjoyed the books in this series a great deal, but the title of this one seems like a swipe at the Space Shuttle program. Perhaps you view the Shuttle as the first reusable orbital spacecraft?

gliderpilotuk
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Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 01-29-2009 09:38 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for gliderpilotuk   Click Here to Email gliderpilotuk     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This seems to be an old link to the book as a work in progress. With the list of interviewees it will be an interesting read.

GoesTo11
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Posts: 1309
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 01-29-2009 11:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for GoesTo11   Click Here to Email GoesTo11     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Gary, I don't see the subtitle as a "swipe" at the Shuttle, just a statement of fact... Provided, of course, that one accepts the rather arbitrary 50 miles altitude as the beginning of "space."

Either way, as an X-15 fanatic, I'm really looking forward to this one. The "Outward Odyssey" series has been uniformly outstanding so far (Though I haven't gotten to "Homesteading Space" yet) and it's great to hear that the X-15 will get its own treatment.

E2M Lem Man
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Posts: 846
From: Los Angeles CA. USA
Registered: Jan 2005

posted 01-29-2009 01:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for E2M Lem Man   Click Here to Email E2M Lem Man     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
That's wonderful news. It will surely cheer her up as I know she has her laptop with her in her hospital room by now.

She has been working on this book for two lifetimes it seems. It was after her interviews with the late Milt Thompson, that he decided to write his own book. But even that great pilot didn't have all the resources that Michelle is bringing into this volume. It will surely be an interesting tome.

garymilgrom
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Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 01-29-2009 01:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for garymilgrom   Click Here to Email garymilgrom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Kevin thanks for your thoughts. I've just finished Homesteading Space and it is great. An excellent overview of the Skylab program which might be the most overlooked of any US space program.

ea757grrl
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Posts: 729
From: South Carolina
Registered: Jul 2006

posted 01-29-2009 06:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ea757grrl   Click Here to Email ea757grrl     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I don't know what's happier for an author: the day you're chosen for a book or the day the book is done!

Having been there/done that, I don't envy Michelle the writing process, but I sure envy her the process of discovery (research is always the best part of any project, anyhow). I know Michelle's work, and it's sure going to be a great book.

Get well soon, Michelle!

ColinBurgess
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Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-29-2009 09:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ColinBurgess   Click Here to Email ColinBurgess     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks to all for the kind comments about the book series and for all the good wishes travelling Michelle's way.

E2M Lem Man
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Posts: 846
From: Los Angeles CA. USA
Registered: Jan 2005

posted 02-02-2009 01:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for E2M Lem Man   Click Here to Email E2M Lem Man     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Michelle has asked me to convey her thanks for all the messages of get well and support.

Over the weekend it was planned that she was moving to rehabilitation, and she was looking forward to getting on her laptop and getting to work again.

She has had quite and adventure in life and looks forward to the future.

ColinBurgess
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Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 08-07-2011 07:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ColinBurgess   Click Here to Email ColinBurgess     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am truly delighted to announce that after overcoming severe medical and other issues, Michelle Evans has just completed the manuscript for the X-15 book in the Outward Odyssey series. It is a first-class piece of writing that explores the lives and accomplishments of some indomitable men who not only flew this amazing aircraft, but reveals the function and feelings of those behind the scenes. While technical details are necessarily described, this is done in a very reader-friendly way. I have read the entire manuscript and it is an exemplary piece of writing by a person who is not only a gifted author, but the book is filled with quotes from personal interviews conducted by Michelle over many years. Especially poignant are the interviews with X-15 pilots who are no longer with us, and reflections by some family members.

This is going to be a great book about an incredible experimental aircraft which shot several pilots above the recognised boundaries of space flight, many belatedly - even posthumously - receiving their astronaut wings.

The review, copyediting and publication process means that this book will not be available for purchase until early 2013, but I am personally excited that this terrific book will soon become a reality.

GoesTo11
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Posts: 1309
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 08-07-2011 07:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GoesTo11   Click Here to Email GoesTo11     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
As an unapologetic X-15 "fanboy," I can't even begin to say how much I'm looking forward to this book.

Congratulations and many thanks to Michelle, Colin, and everyone associated with bringing it to us.

rjurek349
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Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 08-07-2011 07:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for rjurek349   Click Here to Email rjurek349     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This is great news! Congratulations to Michelle on what sounds like a triumphant book. I can not wait until I can order a copy for me -- and a few for some friends. I am a fan of the x-15 flights, and have been eagerly awaiting this book.

Gilbert
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Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 08-07-2011 08:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gilbert   Click Here to Email Gilbert     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm really looking forward to this book. Waiting another 1.5 years...that will be tough.

heng44
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Posts: 3386
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001

posted 08-08-2011 02:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for heng44   Click Here to Email heng44     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Colin, let me know if Michelle needs any additional photos for the book. I have a very nice collection of rare X-15 photographs.

Edit: I saw Michelle has an extensive database of photos already, so she won't need my help.

ea757grrl
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Posts: 729
From: South Carolina
Registered: Jul 2006

posted 08-08-2011 08:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ea757grrl   Click Here to Email ea757grrl     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Congratulations to all involved, but especially to Michelle for overcoming everything that's happened. I'm a fan of her work, and to say I'm eager to see this book is an understatement. This will be great.

ColinBurgess
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Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 06-15-2012 06:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ColinBurgess   Click Here to Email ColinBurgess     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This marvelous book has now gone to the copy editor's desk and is well on track for release early next year. Availability details will be announced once they are known.

E2M Lem Man
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Posts: 846
From: Los Angeles CA. USA
Registered: Jan 2005

posted 06-15-2012 05:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for E2M Lem Man   Click Here to Email E2M Lem Man     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Whhhooo, hooo! Congrats to Michelle!

x15gal
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Posts: 57
From: Lake Forest, CA, USA
Registered: Nov 2010

posted 09-01-2012 09:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for x15gal   Click Here to Email x15gal     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thought it might be a nice idea to get some people here on collectSPACE involved with some ideas regarding my upcoming X-15 book. I have an informal survey going on through a page on my web site concerning variations on possible cover art design. If anyone here would be interested in taking the survey, please check out the cover designs here.

Please respond directly to my home email address which is given on that page, so as not to clutter up things here.

albatron
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Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 09-01-2012 10:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for albatron   Click Here to Email albatron     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Nice stuff — the artwork for cover B is by Stan Stokes — have you contacted him for usage? Although the image of Bob White is from the NASA archives for commercial purposes I believe you need their permission. It might be a courtesy to contact the White family as well.

x15gal
Member

Posts: 57
From: Lake Forest, CA, USA
Registered: Nov 2010

posted 09-04-2012 02:55 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for x15gal   Click Here to Email x15gal     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you for posting your thoughts and the others who responded privately to the survey. Now that the survey is closed and the results are on the way to the publisher, I will say that the Stokes art is the one which the publisher originally sought to use. I have specifically asked them already about the idea of getting permissions from both NASA and Stokes if they do insist on using it rather than the original art created for the book. Here are the full results:
  1. 56
  2. 9
  3. 1
  4. 9
  5. 9
  6. 4
So you can see that Thommy Eriksson's original art won the vote handily.

x15gal
Member

Posts: 57
From: Lake Forest, CA, USA
Registered: Nov 2010

posted 11-28-2012 07:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for x15gal   Click Here to Email x15gal     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I wanted to let people interested in the X-15 know that the University of Nebraska Press has just released their Spring/Summer 2013 catalog. On page 15 (page 17 of the electronic file) my book, "The X-15 Rocket Plane, Flying the First Wings into Space" is now officially listed for publication in late Spring.

I am also very excited to report that there have already been numerous pre-orders of the book through UNP, so I am very jazzed that sales have now officially begun.

You'll also notice that many readers of this forum who participated in my cover survey poll several months back can know that you had a direct hand in helping to convince the publisher into using the preferred artwork, as you can see in the catalog.

Hope you enjoy the book when it comes out and that you'll be sure to share your feedback when you've had a chance to check it out. — Michelle

Jurg Bolli
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Posts: 977
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 11-29-2012 11:08 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jurg Bolli   Click Here to Email Jurg Bolli     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Very exciting.

Gilbert
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Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 11-29-2012 12:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gilbert   Click Here to Email Gilbert     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Can't wait to see this book.

space4u
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Posts: 323
From: Cleveland, OH USA
Registered: Aug 2006

posted 11-30-2012 03:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for space4u   Click Here to Email space4u     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Can't wait to see it, Michelle.

nelyubov
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Posts: 131
From: USA
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-03-2012 10:29 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for nelyubov   Click Here to Email nelyubov     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Already ordered mine from Amazon. Can't wait to get it!

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