Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-29-2009 07:51 AM               

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It gives me great pleasure to announce that a contract has now been awarded for yet another book in the Outward Odyssey series, bringing the total number of series books now completed, being copyedited or researched and written to 10, with another (final) two remaining to be considered for publication.

The newest book to join the fleet is "X-15: Wings Into Space, Flying the World's First Reusable Spacecraft" and the author is Michelle Evans, a well-known spaceflight enthusiast and writer with a renowned passion for the X-15. This will be a social history of the X-15 program, which means that it will lean more to the human side of the story - and not just the pilots. Over many years Michelle has researched the X-15 extensively and recorded some rather amazing interviews, including two with a certain Mr. Armstrong.

It is a true pleasure to welcome Michelle Evans to the growing list of UNP authors, but don't rush out looking for the book just yet; it is currently slated for a Spring 2012 release.

The announcement today from UNP was very timely; Michelle suffered bad injuries to her legs in falls at her home and is currently hospitalised and immobilised for a few weeks. This news came as a real tonic to someone in rather low spirits. I wish Michelle all the very best for a speedy recovery.

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From: Denver, CO
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posted 01-29-2009 11:49 AM               

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Gary, I don't see the subtitle as a "swipe" at the Shuttle, just a statement of fact... Provided, of course, that one accepts the rather arbitrary 50 miles altitude as the beginning of "space."

Either way, as an X-15 fanatic, I'm really looking forward to this one. The "Outward Odyssey" series has been uniformly outstanding so far (Though I haven't gotten to "Homesteading Space" yet) and it's great to hear that the X-15 will get its own treatment.

Posts: 846
From: Los Angeles CA. USA
Registered: Jan 2005

posted 01-29-2009 01:19 PM               

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That's wonderful news. It will surely cheer her up as I know she has her laptop with her in her hospital room by now.

She has been working on this book for two lifetimes it seems. It was after her interviews with the late Milt Thompson, that he decided to write his own book. But even that great pilot didn't have all the resources that Michelle is bringing into this volume. It will surely be an interesting tome.

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Posts: 729
From: South Carolina
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posted 01-29-2009 06:39 PM               

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I don't know what's happier for an author: the day you're chosen for a book or the day the book is done!

Having been there/done that, I don't envy Michelle the writing process, but I sure envy her the process of discovery (research is always the best part of any project, anyhow). I know Michelle's work, and it's sure going to be a great book.

Get well soon, Michelle!

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From: Los Angeles CA. USA
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posted 02-02-2009 01:46 PM               

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Michelle has asked me to convey her thanks for all the messages of get well and support.

Over the weekend it was planned that she was moving to rehabilitation, and she was looking forward to getting on her laptop and getting to work again.

She has had quite and adventure in life and looks forward to the future.

Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 08-07-2011 07:26 PM               

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I am truly delighted to announce that after overcoming severe medical and other issues, Michelle Evans has just completed the manuscript for the X-15 book in the Outward Odyssey series. It is a first-class piece of writing that explores the lives and accomplishments of some indomitable men who not only flew this amazing aircraft, but reveals the function and feelings of those behind the scenes. While technical details are necessarily described, this is done in a very reader-friendly way. I have read the entire manuscript and it is an exemplary piece of writing by a person who is not only a gifted author, but the book is filled with quotes from personal interviews conducted by Michelle over many years. Especially poignant are the interviews with X-15 pilots who are no longer with us, and reflections by some family members.

This is going to be a great book about an incredible experimental aircraft which shot several pilots above the recognised boundaries of space flight, many belatedly - even posthumously - receiving their astronaut wings.

The review, copyediting and publication process means that this book will not be available for purchase until early 2013, but I am personally excited that this terrific book will soon become a reality.

Posts: 1309
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 08-07-2011 07:34 PM               

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As an unapologetic X-15 "fanboy," I can't even begin to say how much I'm looking forward to this book.

Congratulations and many thanks to Michelle, Colin, and everyone associated with bringing it to us.

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From: Netherlands
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posted 08-08-2011 02:37 AM               

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Colin, let me know if Michelle needs any additional photos for the book. I have a very nice collection of rare X-15 photographs.

Edit: I saw Michelle has an extensive database of photos already, so she won't need my help.

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From: Lake Forest, CA, USA
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posted 09-01-2012 09:57 PM               

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Thought it might be a nice idea to get some people here on collectSPACE involved with some ideas regarding my upcoming X-15 book. I have an informal survey going on through a page on my web site concerning variations on possible cover art design. If anyone here would be interested in taking the survey, please check out the cover designs here.

Please respond directly to my home email address which is given on that page, so as not to clutter up things here.

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posted 11-28-2012 07:40 PM               

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I wanted to let people interested in the X-15 know that the University of Nebraska Press has just released their Spring/Summer 2013 catalog. On page 15 (page 17 of the electronic file) my book, "The X-15 Rocket Plane, Flying the First Wings into Space" is now officially listed for publication in late Spring.

I am also very excited to report that there have already been numerous pre-orders of the book through UNP, so I am very jazzed that sales have now officially begun.

You'll also notice that many readers of this forum who participated in my cover survey poll several months back can know that you had a direct hand in helping to convince the publisher into using the preferred artwork, as you can see in the catalog.

Hope you enjoy the book when it comes out and that you'll be sure to share your feedback when you've had a chance to check it out. — Michelle

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