1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I grew up in Houston, Texas and became fascinated with science fiction when I got my first library card. Some of my favorite authors are Ray Bradbury, Martha Wells, Iain M. Banks, Ursula K. LeGuin, and Michael Swanwick. I wanted to write stories since I was ten, but only learned the craft of storytelling after 2022.
Engineering has been my career for years and I have remained interested in science and science fiction the whole time. I read the science magazines Discover and Science News to keep informed on the rapid pace of scientific progress. Sometimes, the articles trigger story ideas.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
NASA and the space race captured my imagination in the 1970s. When NASA released images from the Hubble Space Telescope, I wanted to see every one. Eventually, I realized I could share my excitement with others by writing a book. I settled on galaxies for the subject because Hubble generated such amazing images of these giant star configurations.
By digging deeper into what astronomers know about galaxies near and far, I learned far more about astronomy. The more I learned, the more I wanted to include in the book.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Galaxies grow and change in beautiful and amazing ways. We can’t watch these changes happen because they are so slow. But galaxies are born, grow up, get old, and then die, which makes them a bit like us. Each galaxy is also unique, just like every person.
We know so much about galaxies because astronomers have discovered the truth by looking through telescopes for hundreds of years. Any young person who wants to know more about our universe can become an astronomer.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
Science fiction is fun and exciting, but science fact is what makes science fiction possible. Hubble Space Telescope images of galaxies are beautiful and incredibly moving. Non-fiction was the best way to tell the story of the galaxies that fill our universe.
5) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
I use Mastodon, @rnf@mindly.social, to connect with other writers. Mindly.social has worked out well in that regard. We share thoughts on the many challenges that every indie writer faces. Some people on Mindly might also be interested in reading my science fiction, when I have a novel published.
6) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Write about something you love. Your passion for the subject will show up in your writing and readers will recognize it as authentic. That personal connection is one thing that kept me going when I hit difficulties with Galaxy Astronomy. I didn’t have the option to give up because I cared too much about my vision for the book. It gave me the strength to persevere, which is something everyone needs when life gets tough.
7) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
A companion to Galaxy Astronomy is in the idea phase. I envision using images from the new James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to explore infrared astronomy. Astronomers need time to create each color composite image from the many sensors JWST uses. But the telescope is sending new images continuously. A single new image can take weeks, months, or even years to reach publication. I will also need to learn much more about JWST’s astronomical instruments, and time to browse all the available images. Understanding what each image means is as important as how marvelous it looks. Turning all that into a book can take me a year or more.
I’m also actively working on my first science fiction novel. It’s a space opera about humans and extraterrestrials. Set on a planet circling another star, the novel contains some horror and high-tech manipulation. This will be the first of a series of at least three books, and maybe more.
About the Author
Ray Franklin grew up in Houston, Texas, the home of NASA. He followed the space race for years and stayed up late to watch Neil Armstrong step onto the moon. Years later, when stunning images from the Hubble Space Telescope became available, he saw expansive possibilities. Being a father and working with kids as a volunteer had given him an appreciation for how fast children can learn complex topics with the right mix of fun and challenge. This is what drove him to write ‘Galaxy Astronomy: Field Guide For Kids.’
