Introducing the Relativity Series

The story of Relativity: First Contact began as a thought experiment during my undergraduate studies. I found myself pondering what a realistic first contact scenario would look like, questioning the popular trope of alien invaders who, despite their advanced technology, somehow lose to humanity. This narrative, though satisfying in its triumph, always felt improbable to me. If an alien species could traverse the stars to reach us, while we still struggle to send humans beyond the moon, wouldn’t they have an overwhelming advantage? The odds of us winning a direct confrontation seemed slim, at best.

This line of thinking led me to explore a different premise: What if an alien civilization discovered us just as we were on the cusp of discovering them? What if, instead of a one-sided invasion, we encountered a near-peer species, one whose technological and societal advancements were on par with our own? The story evolved from there, aiming to break away from the traditional first contact struggle for survival. Instead, I wanted to delve into a more complex and nuanced interaction—one that might start with tension and fear but wouldn’t necessarily end in mutual destruction. There had to be more at play beneath the surface, layers of intrigue, diplomacy, and the unknown.

From the inception of this idea in 2009 to its publication in 2024, it has indeed been a long journey. Over these years, I immersed myself in studying real-life physics and engineering, blending these with futuristic but plausible technologies to craft a believable sci-fi narrative. The world I created needed to feel grounded in reality, even as it stretched the boundaries of imagination.

For much of this time, Relativity: First Contact existed as little more than an outline and a collection of scattered notes. It wasn’t until 2020 that I seriously began to focus on writing and developing a process that worked for me. This process—outlined in more detail in the book’s Forward and Acknowledgements—involved a mix of outlining, drafting, and editing, often done in the quiet hours of the early morning or late at night after my kids were asleep. It was a slow and deliberate effort, but one that brought me immense satisfaction.

The road to publication was far from smooth. Between 2020 and now, I navigated two major cross-country moves and numerous other challenges that delayed the book’s completion. Yet, these experiences also enriched the story, providing new perspectives and inspirations that I might not have discovered otherwise.

Now that the book is finally out, I can look back on the journey with a sense of accomplishment. The story that began as a simple curiosity has grown into a complex narrative that I’m proud to share with the world. And while Relativity: First Contact is just the beginning, the plot really deepens in the follow-up, Returning Home. This journey has been long, but every step has been worth it, and I’m excited to see where the story goes next.