Galactic Pact Series, Book 1
Science Fiction / Space Opera
Date Published: 01-01-2023
Publisher: Bookbaby
The Fall of Mu is the captivating first book of the Galactic Pact series. This multi-generational epic blends science fiction and historical fiction to transport you to a pre-historic era where humanity built an interstellar empire. With vivid scenes, rich characters, and chapters that defy expectations, this book takes you on an exciting journey across the stars.
Michael is sixteen when his homeland is destroyed in a nuclear attack, his parents are murdered, and he is the one responsible for ensuring his people's survival. Throughout Michael's struggles with alien overlords, apathetic allies and godlike creatures, we follow him as he discovers what it takes to lead in a dystopian universe and how hard it can be to cling onto hope in times of despair. But this is only the beginning!
Interview with R. Halderman
How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?
I have published a short story (Escape from Emerald A.I.) and a debut novel (The Fall of Mu) which is part 1 of 4 of my Galactic Pact series. Part 2 of 4 (Rise of the Keepers) is over half written. For me, The Fall of Mu is my favorite, but as I write the rest of Rise of the Keepers it’s competing for the favorite position. The appeal of The Fall of Mu is the triumph of perseverance, while Rise of the Keepers struggles with the consequences of such triumph.
If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?
My first manuscript (originally called Rise of the Keepers) was well received by beta readers, but they demanded a prequel that would lay the groundwork for it. While The Fall of Mu stands by itself, it leaves one to wonder about the future of the characters you have come to love. Rise of the Keepers provides answers and lays the groundwork for the rest of the series that will evolve into a grand space opera.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
My beta readers for my first manuscript demanded to understand how Mu fell and this in turn created the title, The Fall of Mu.
How long did it take you to write this book?
It took two years of research to create the universe of the Galactic Pact series and then another two years to write the first manuscript in that universe. After my beta readers demanded a prequel to that first manuscript, it only took me an additional year to write and publish The Fall of Mu.
What does the title mean?
The title reflects the pre-history setting of the book (Mu is the fabled continent where homo sapiens emerged), but at the same time, is reminiscent of current events. What modern nation do you know of that is commonly referred to with only two letters? Mu is man’s first civilization/empire, and its fall is not unlike the demise of the US that is unfolding before us today.
What did you learn when writing the book?
Vision is not enough. One must create a story that people can relate to.
What surprised you the most?
Writing The Fall of Mu unveiled to me the balance in the universe between luck and perseverance that is required to achieve a given result. More importantly, don’t ever think the result will be exactly as you plan. As the saying goes, Man Proposes and God Disposes.
Have you ever killed off a character your readers loved?
Absolutely. There is more than one in The Fall of Mu. The Galactic Pact series is multi-generational and as such examines how an idea becomes, well, Galactic. With each generation, a prevailing idea strengthens until it becomes a principle that can withstand the test of time. Those with the highest ideals (the ones we love) die and pass on their ideals to the ones they love. If an ideal has merit and future generations survive to embody them, ideals become archetypes or principles.
What do you do to get inside your character’s heads?
When I write a scene it comes to me in layers. I see it, then I hear it. To understand it, I must become each character in the scene one at a time, then move outside the characters and watch the scene play out. Now I can hear the nuisances in the characters’ tone and body language. I watch again and observe the settings surrounding activity, sights, sounds, and smells. I again become the characters with this new knowledge and work to understand their perceptions and motivations.
About the Author
R. Halderman is a fiction writer and engineer with a passion for philosophy. He is the author of exciting and provocative literature, blazing a trail for a new style of fiction for a new generation. His writing draws on science fiction's past and present to create a unique voice in contemporary fiction.
You can learn more about R. Halderman at www.RHalderman.com. You can also find him on Gab: @RussellH and Minds: @rhalderman
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2 comments:
The cover looks great. Sounds very interesting.
The book sounds very interesting. Great cover.
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