I recently had the opportunity to share on my hometown paper, Morgan Hill Times more about my work and the inspiration behind the Outbound series — stories that explore not just where humanity has been, but where we may be headed next.

During times like the 2020 lockdown, when the world slowed down and uncertainty grew, I turned to writing to explore one question that continues to drive my work: What becomes of humanity when our greatest challenges collide with our greatest technological advancements?

From climate collapse and global instability to the rise of sentient AI and off-world colonization, the future I write about is shaped by the very real scientific and societal issues we’re facing today. In Outbound: Meta Mars, I take readers into the late 23rd century, where humans and artificial beings must decide whether to coexist — or risk mutual destruction.

What began as a single scene evolved into a story about identity, consciousness, and survival, grounded in the decades I spent working in microbiology and molecular biology. These books imagine not just the threats ahead, but the possibilities — how innovation, unity, and shared purpose might still guide us forward.

I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has supported this journey and helped bring these stories to life.

Let me know what you think,

Richard Anderson
Author, Outbound: Meta Mars