Two Anniversaries: These Stories Have Become a Universe
On August 18, I will be celebrating two important anniversaries: two years since the publication of From Roswell to Area 51 and four years since the publication of The Good, the Bad, and the Undecided.
But the story began even earlier.
In January 2021, I started writing what I called Earth’s Secret War. Readers quickly pointed out that the story wasn’t really about the war—it was about the alliance.
They were right.
At its heart, Earth’s Secret Alliance asks a deceptively simple question:
Can you win a war without killing?
In 1947, pacifist refugees crash near Roswell and ask humanity to help them fight a war—but humans must not use Zalman technology to kill anyone. That challenge has now grown into a universe filled with soldiers, aliens, scientists, children, unlikely friendships and difficult choices.
That no-kill restriction is part of what makes the premise exciting. MacGyver became famous for avoiding guns and using ingenuity and everyday objects to solve dangerous problems. In the same spirit, Earth’s Secret Alliance forces its characters to search for creative solutions that don’t depend on killing.
From One Story to a Series
The Good, the Bad, and the Undecided was published on August 18, 2022. It follows General Greg Newman, a man desperate for a promotion who finds himself caught between two superior officers competing for his loyalty. If he trusts the wrong person, his decision could eventually lead to an alien invasion.
Two years later, on August 18, 2024, the complete novel From Roswell to Area 51 was published, bringing the individual stories together.
Earlier this year, I released a revised second edition that presents the story in chronological order. Today, the Earth’s Secret Alliance universe includes six novellas, a novella collection and the complete novel.
Together, nearly 14,000 books have been distributed, and readers have read more than 114,000 Kindle pages.
Thank you to everyone who has read, downloaded, reviewed, recommended or shared one of these books. You helped one unusual science-fiction idea grow far beyond what I originally imagined.
From the Page to the Screen
Parts of the universe are also beginning to make the journey from page to screen.
Two live-action proofs of concept are now available on YouTube. These short videos are not complete films; they are glimpses of the characters, tone and possibilities of the larger story.
Charlie’s Proof of Concept
Charlie is a twelve-year-old girl who uses a wheelchair, raises her hand when no one else has an answer and refuses to let adults underestimate her.
Her story, Charlie’s Big Chance, was also recently named a semifinalist in the Creative Screenwriting Animation Screenplay Competition.
Newman’s Proof of Concept
General Newman’s story explores loyalty, ambition, manipulation and the danger of placing your trust in the wrong leader.
Seeing characters who began on a blank page become real people on a screen has been one of the most exciting parts of this journey.
From Entertainment to Education
The universe is growing in another direction as well.
I am developing an Earth’s Secret Alliance Study Edition designed to help students explore subjects such as history, science, prejudice, disability, ethical decision-making and nonviolent problem-solving through story.
The Study Edition is still being developed, and I have begun inviting teachers and other educators to help shape it.
Learn more about the Study Edition
The Journey Continues
What began in January 2021 as Earth’s Secret War has become Earth’s Secret Alliance: a collection of books, screenplays, videos and educational resources connected by one central question:
Can you win a war without killing?
Four years after The Good, the Bad, and the Undecided and two years after From Roswell to Area 51, I still don’t know how far this universe will travel.
But I’m grateful to everyone who has joined the alliance along the way.
Discover More Great Collections
Looking for more books? Discover anthologies, box sets, omnibus volumes and collections from a variety of authors.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Every view, follow, comment, share, and download helps bring this hope-forward sci-fi universe one step closer to the screen.
Best regards,
Tony B. Richard
Author & Screenwriter