When author S. Evan Townsend released his latest novel, 'Rock Killer', he never dreamed that the premise of his novel might be come reality just a few short months later. Nevertheless, it now seems a work of speculative fiction, based in science, may become reality much sooner than expected.
Planetary Resources recently announced its intention to find the first near Earth orbit asteroid that might be mined for minerals. The initiative is backed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, current CEO Larry Page and director James Cameron, among others.
In 'Rock Killer', Space Resources, Inc. (SRI) mines asteroids for the riches a populated Earth needs without degrading the planet. Yet there are those opposed to progress in whatever its form such as the Gaia Alliance, a front group for eco-terrorists. During a violent attack on the Moon, the terrorists steal an exploration ship, arm it, and rename it the Rock Killer. Simultaneously, SRI Director Alexander Chun is traveling to the asteroid belt to bring a kilometer-long nickel-iron rock back to Earth orbit to mine for its valuable metals. Following him and his multi-national team is the Rock Killer. Without armaments, millions of miles from help, Chun must stop those who threaten him and the lives of his crew.
“I started writing Rock Killer,” Townsend stated, “after there was a spate of eco-terrorist events in the U.S. Pacific Northwest in the late 1990's. I wondered what motivated these people and what would happen if there were such attacks in the future on what they perceived to be ‘bad for the environment.’ What if they wanted to stop the mining of asteroids for the resources a crowded planet needs and how would they do it? Now PRI is going to be doing almost the exact same thing I wrote about. I set 'Rock Killer' about 50 years in the future. I never expected to see it in reality so soon."
'Rock Killer' follows Townsend's two previous novels, ‘Agent Of Artifice’ and ‘Hammer Of Thor’. His body of work, blends of historical fiction and fantasy, has received numerous 5 star reviews and have placed him in the top echelon of America’s speculative fiction writers. Townsend is a builder of worlds - fantastic yet familiar, slightly off-kilter worlds, filled with characters and storylines that breathe new life into the genre that is speculative fiction.
Townsend writes in the tradition of Robert Heinlein, and his writing has been compared to both Heinlein and Piers Anthony. Townsend's approach is to begin in the real world - everyday reality - and then to twist that reality, heat it up a bit, spin it and mold it seamlessly into fiction. The dividing lines between what is real and what is fictional become blurred. Townsend's writings are heavily researched to ensure both historic and scientific accuracy. All of his works offer captivating tales of fun adventure, wrapped tightly around a solid iron core of fact and accuracy.
“People will enjoy this book,” Townsend continued, “because it is a fast-paced action adventure with a multifaceted plot that ranges from Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Syria, the Moon, and out to the Asteroid Belt. It combines action, terrorism, political intrigue, romance, and science into a story of heroic men and women trying to save the lives of their fellow humans. ‘Rock Killer’ is an all-too-plausible yet futuristic story of terrorism and those who are caught in its sights and those trying to stop it.”
Townsend is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at sheltown@donobi.net. More information is available at his website. All Townsend’s works, including ‘Rock Killer’ are available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, World Castle Publishing and at other online book sites.
Profile:
In the literary tradition of Robert Heinlein, S. Evan Townsend writes speculative fiction novels. Townsend's writings are heavily researched to ensure both historic and scientific accuracy. All of his works offer captivating tales of fun adventure while staying true to real world facts and accuracy. 'Rock Killer' is his third novel.
Contact:
S. Evan Townsend
www.sevantownsend.com
sevantownsend@gmail.com
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