posted 11-02-2025 04:23 PM               

At first, given that I had limited knowledge of how to begin or promote such an endeavour, a truly difficult proposition, but one I was delighted to accept. Many obstacles and an incredible lot of hard work later, the wheels finally began to turn, and I am always delighted to say that when I needed to find those first prospective authors, the first place I turned to was collectSPACE and the amazing, eclectic group of enthusiasts who inhabit the forum every day. It did not let me down, and never has.

In recent consulatation with UNP, I have broached the subject of bringing the series to an end. As things stand at the moment, there are another seven books in the offing, either contracted and under way with research and writing, or undergoing the editing and publication process. These seven books should fill the next five years before all are published, by which time I feel that the series would have gone well beyond everyone's earlier expectations.

The question I put to UNP was whether they felt, like me, that just about every avenue of space history has been covered and it was time to wind up the Outward Odyssey series. Somewhat surprsingly, they believed there was still plenty of life in the series and would be happy for it to continue, despite my thoughts of retiring as series editor.

I therefore decided that I would turn back to collectSPACE and its readers and contributors before making a final decision on the series continuing. There may still be stories out there waiting to be told, so if anyone feels they have a new space-related book concept and the necessary amount of expertise and enthusiasm to put it together as a book, I am willing to assess it (no guarantees). This new approach will determine the viability and future of the series and my further, personal involvement in the series.

posted 11-02-2025 05:52 PM               

I for one would like the series to continue. After all, spaceflight is continuing to evolve... commercial companies and "new" countries such as China, India, Japan and UAE are all changing the dynamics of spaceflight. Also, unfortunately, there's an old dynamic that probably needs to be written about too, e.g. the militarization of space.

While I realize that Eric Berger is the "SpaceX whisperer", it seems self evident that when Starship finally becomes operational, we will have reached the equivalent era of when the DC-3 changed airflight, with all that that implies to what gets sent into space.

posted 11-03-2025 09:45 AM               

I personally benefited from your generosity in allowing me to write a chapter for one of those books. That "break" gave me the confidence to keep writing space history.

posted 11-03-2025 02:00 PM               

Without question, Colin, you have well earned the right to declare mission accomplished. I remember when we first talked, and the series had two goals – publish eight books about spaceflight history, and to foster a new vanguard of space authors. You've succeeded beyond expectations on both counts, many times over.

But I also completely see where UNP is coming from. The series over time has become much larger than that original goal. My next book hinges around an event that took place a year after Homesteading Space was published. History continues, and Outward Odyssey continues to chronicle it.

I'll admit my selfish bias is toward "keep going." When I decided to start working on book three, you were the first person I emailed. It's an honor to be part of this family, and my first choice as an author has always been to be part of this series. But if you do decide it's time to tie a bow on it, you leave behind an incredible legacy with this amazing collection.

posted 11-03-2025 05:18 PM               

In order to maintain the series I decided to issue a fresh plea to any budding authors and their ideas out there through collectSPACE and I can reveal it has already started to bear fruit. I have not yet approached "Quest" or any other possible source until I gauge the reaction here.

Should the time come when I do decide to retire as series editor the plan worked out with UNP is that any future potential authors will make direct contact with UNP rather than going through me as an intermediary. So please know that the series will definitely continue for the time being, and hopefully this fresh appeal will bring forth several new ideas for potential books.

In response to a query about the seven books that are now contracted and in various stages of research, writing and publication, they are (with working titles that may change and not necessarily in order of publication):

• Born to Explore (Jay Gallentine)
  
• Selling Space (Neil Da Costa and Hart Sastrowardoyo
  
• Martian Mobility (Jay Gallentine)
  
• Permission to Come Aboard (Charles Walker)
  
• Rocket Science (David Hitt)
  
• Challenge to Apollo (fully updated over two volumes) (Asif Sidiqqi)

posted 11-06-2025 05:16 AM               

Henry, Charlie told me just recently that he has a case of the guilts about taking so long to finish off his manuscript, but is going to get it done just as soon as he can.