Today I have some news that is literally out of this world! I know, lame pun. But I’m good at those lol.
If you’ve been following me for a few years, you might remember in January 2021, I was offered the opportunity to participate in a project called Writers On The Moon.
And “the moon” part here is not figurative, either. It’s literal. Literally literal. As in the real moon. The Moon moon.
Well, this project is finally happening!
Back in 2020, speculative fiction author Susan Kaye Quinn spearheaded this incredible initiative, securing a payload slot on the Peregrine Mission One lunar lander. The idea was simple but profound: send a digital time capsule filled with indie fiction to the moon! She opened up the opportunity to her network of authors to join her, and I jumped at the opportunity.
This means that some of my books, specifically the first five of the Land of Szornyek series, are part of this project. Plus, I was able to include some 'stowaways'—a few works from my wonderful writing friends, as well as a memorial tribute to a few special souls we've lost.
The launch date is set for January 8th at 2:18 AM EST.
If all goes according to plan, early in the morning on January 8th, our digital payload will take a giant leap for writerkind. (I know, another lame pun!) The payload will hitch a ride aboard Astrobotic's Peregrine Lander, tucked inside a 0.75" capsule, and land at Lacus Mortis—a site carefully chosen for its potential for future exploration. You can watch on NASA TV!
But, as with all space missions, there's a caveat. There's always the possibility of a delay. Malfunctioning equipment, bad weather, and various unforeseen circumstances can push back the launch. It could be hours, days, or even months—space travel is tricky like that! But as of now, everything is set and prepped for launch. We're all crossing our fingers that everything goes off without a hitch!
If all goes well, the lander is scheduled to touch down on the moon on February 23rd. The journey involves an Earth orbit period, a three-day trip to the moon, and a lunar orbit. Once landed, it's scheduled to operate for 8 days.
And if you have questions, feel free to reach out. I might not have all the answers, but I'll certainly try my best. You can follow the project at the Writers On the Moon website, which includes a link to the official newsletter. Also, you're invited to join the Writers on the Moon Facebook group, where you can connect with other writers, participate in the official countdown, and share in the excitement of this unique project.
I can't express enough how thrilling and amazing this opportunity is. Having digital copies of my work on the moon is an honor. It's an extraordinary venture, and I'm grateful for the chance to be part of it.
This isn’t just a trip to the moon. It’s our stories, hopes, and dreams venturing beyond the reach of the average person. It’s a slice of 2021 preserved for future generations or perhaps even otherworldly readers. It’s a tribute to human creativity and our unending thirst to better understand the cosmos.
And it’s really fricking cool.
Stay tuned for more updates, and let's hope for a successful journey to our lunar neighbor!
