Aram
When Dr. George Murphey discovered a way for mankind to travel faster than light, Space Exploration Technologies jumped on the opportunity to be the first to settle a new planet. Using parts from decommissioned space stations and ships, along with a home-grown magnetic artificial gravity system, they built a ship capable of sending more than 3,000 people across space. The Dawn may not have the latest technologies, (many of which are still theoretical) but SET’s engineers are confident she’ll make the eighteen-month journey to Aram without issue. The only question is...what will they find when they get there? Well, that isn't the only question, but it's certainly a popular one.
Join Blake and his father, Captain Kenneth Ledger, on mankind's pioneer journey through space to Aram, where they discover a new world, new life, and perhaps even a few things that surprise them.
Aram is a sci-fi novel with more than 10 years of work behind it. True, that work was part time, while I balanced a job, family, and other pursuits, but I had ideas rattling around in my brain the whole time. Many of the characters and situations were inspired by people and circumstances from my real life, but each person, place, and event are their own unique—and ficticious—entity. I love the planet Aram, including its people, its history, and its future. I also love the people that travel there.
The story started simple, with what I felt like were more realistic events than other books. This led to a nice story, but my editor, Rebekah, challenged me to think bigger. I'd introduced a concept near the end of the original manuscript that she suggested I build upon and really run with, in a way that would make the story feel much more epic and exciting. I mulled over that thought for some time, but ultimately accepted her challenge and all of part four except for a handful of scenes was the result. I'm very grateful for her help and advice. Aram truly wouldn't be what it is today without her.
Aram is a long book. I had a lot to say, I guess. Journeys don't always go how you plan them—and I might even go one step further and say they never go quite how you plan them—but like so many things in life, they are what you make of them. The journey to Aram is no exception. Almost every life-lesson I've learned has made its way onto Aram's pages. I hope you enjoy it.