Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. Thank you for the opportunity to talk with you. My name is Mathew Lewallen. I’m an Air Traffic Controller by trade and an avid aviation enthusiast. My academic journey in aviation has culminated in being a Ph.D. Aviation candidate. This path has afforded me the chance to contribute to aviation literature through various essays, books, and narratives, primarily focusing on non-fiction. Recently, I’ve endeavored to merge my professional experience and scholarly background to craft a vision of the future that reflects my perspective on humanity’s trajectory. On a personal note, I’m blessed with a loving family, including my wife Destiny, and our two wonderful daughters, Camila, aged 5, and Chesney, aged 1. We’re currently living in Germany, where, aside from my professional interests, I indulge in culinary arts and follow Charles Leclerc in Formula 1 racing.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Orbital Maneuvers”?
A2. I consider myself fortunate to have had an idea that sparked my passion and drive. My academic journey has allowed me to weave little easter eggs into the text that will resonate with those who share my enthusiasm for the subject. I can’t wait to hear from readers that uncover these hidden gems. I would have to say that navigating the publishing and marketing landscape has certainly been the most challenging aspect. My experience with social media and fiction publishing was limited, which led me to self-publish. Now, I’m learning the ropes of social media promotion, in hopes of sharing my work. It’s my sincere desire that the book not only entertains but also ignites a passion for STEM in those who read it, encouraging them to explore and share it further.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. Navigating the world of fiction has been an intriguing shift for me, as my usual reading material gravitates towards non-fiction. On my desk, you’ll find thought-provoking works like Stephen Hawking’s “A Brief History of Time” and Nigel Calder’s “Einstein’s Universe”—not necessarily my top picks but indicative of my usual choices. When it comes to fiction, I have a penchant for stories that outshine their movie counterparts, such as “The Martian” and “Dune.” These narratives allow my imagination to see the book, and then it’s fascinating to compare my visions with their film interpretations. This contrast truly strikes a chord with me. I believe these two thoughts are what drive my book. I am inspired by the past geniuses that made this world I live in, and now I want to contribute a fiction book that outshines any cinema that can be created. Once all four of my books are done, I can only hope that someone can make it into a film.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. In the United States, my favourite spot would be Houston. It’s a place that captures my imagination and admiration, even though I’ve never called it home. The city is a source of inspiration for me, with its history of achievements and promise of future successes in space. In Germany, my heart is drawn to Heidelberg. It’s the essence of peacefulness and charm, reminiscent of a scene from a storybook. The town has a stunning cathedral at its heart, flanked by lovely outdoor cafes, and is crowned by an imposing castle that watches over the scenic locale.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Orbital Maneuvers’?
A5. The inspiration behind my book “Orbital Maneuvers” can be traced back to my Master’s Thesis and its accompanying published work, “A Proposal for a New System for Air Traffic to Accommodate Spacecraft Launches.” The thesis is a boring 70-page academic paper on the need for improved separation of air and space traffic. So, I realized its reach would be limited to individuals with a specific interest in the topic. To broaden its impact, I wrote a fiction book called “Celestial Hazard,” a fiction piece depicting a dire scenario where the aviation and space sectors disastrously converge, highlighting the potential for a catastrophic future. I recognized there the importance of engaging a wider audience, so I conceived the Skyward Frontier series with “Orbital Maneuvers.” My goal was to kindle excitement in readers about the specialized topics that fascinate me. In essence, I wrote this book to share my passion for the technical and often esoteric aspects of air and space travel with a broader, more diverse audience.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Orbital Maneuvers’?
A6. The process of writing “Orbital Maneuvers” was surprisingly swift. Initially, I dedicated two months to meticulously plan the entire Skyward Frontier series, which involves four books. This involved outlining each book and then each chapter in detail. Following the planning phase, I started the writing process, ensuring a daily output of 5-10 pages. Given the first book’s length of approximately 250 pages, the drafting of the main content was completed in one to two months. The subsequent stage was self-editing, after which I enlisted the assistance of two editors, Riley Lewis and Steve Shimchick, who individually reviewed the manuscript over the course of two weeks. After a final proofread, I felt confident that the book was ready for readers.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. Currently, the eBook version of my novel is available exclusively through Kindle Unlimited due to a special arrangement. For those interested in physical copies, distribution is managed via Amazon, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital. These platforms have a wide reach, supposedly enabling my book to be accessible on a global scale—we’ll see how that goes. Additionally, I’m collaborating with ACX to produce an audiobook version, which upon completion, will be available for purchase on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. If anyone has further advice on self-publishing or promotion, I’m all ears!
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Orbital Maneuvers’?
A8. The conception of the cover was a journey from an initial vision to the realization that I needed professional input. While I had a clear concept in my mind, I lacked the expertise in what constitutes a compelling book cover. This is where the talents of a cover designer, Danielle Ritter, came into play. Danielle’s work was transformative; the final cover diverged significantly from my original idea, and fortuitously so, resulting in a design that exceeded my expectations in the best possible way. The title “Orbital Maneuvers” came up as a way to generalize the activities within the entire book. A lot changes within this book, but it always has something to do with satellite orbits being manipulated.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. Maintaining freshness in my writing, particularly for “Orbital Maneuvers,” stemmed naturally from the excitement of embarking on my first substantial venture into fiction. This enthusiasm, I trust, permeates the pages and engages my readers. My approach was methodical: crafting a comprehensive outline early on and adhering to it, much like my process for scientific papers. This structured method served as the foundation, allowing me to focus on the creative aspects of storytelling without losing sight of the narrative’s progression.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A10. The most insightful advice I’ve received about writing came from a professor: your writing will always look good when you initially write it—we write what we believe sounds right in the moment. The key, then, is to step away, allowing time to distance ourselves from the immediacy of our words. This pause in the creative process is crucial for gaining new perspectives. Also, getting an outsiders perspective on the writing is essential. Letting others read and provide feedback can uncover areas in need of improvement. Embrace that constructive criticism, make revisions, and then revisit the text with fresh eyes again. This iterative process of review and refinement is instrumental in elevating the quality of the writing.
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