About The Rho Agenda
I invite you to visit www.SecondShip.com for previews of all of the Rho Agenda novels.
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The Amazon Best Selling Sci-Fi Series
I invite you to visit www.SecondShip.com for previews of all of the Rho Agenda novels.
Hello, I am Richard Phillips, author of the top ten bestselling technothriller series on the Amazon Kindle, The Rho Agenda. A West Point Class of 79 grad with a masters in nuclear physics, I spent several years performing research at Lawrence Livermore and Los Alamos National Laboratories for the U.S. military before launching my writing career. My wife, Carol, and I now live in Phoenix, AZ.
Richard Phillips Rho Agenda Blog
When will the third installment (Wormhole) be available for Kindle?
Hi John,
I’ve finished Wormhole (Book 3 of The Rho Agenda). It is currently in edit. As soon as that is done, my literary agency, Janklow & Nesbit will set the official release date. I’ll periodically update my website … http://www.SecondShip.com with info on the coming release.
Thanks.
Richard Yes I have been waiting for the third book, I have really enjoyed your books, kept me spell bound. Thank you for your excillante books.
i need wormhole, tell your litrary agent to hurry up.
Hi folks. Just got back from Bora Bora … a working vacation. Yes, I can feel your sympathy. I chatted with my agent yesterday and he’s working on it. In the meantime, I’ve started my next novel, tentatively titled The Ripper. It will be the first of a new series of independent novels about my Jack Gregory character from The Rho Agenda and will focus on how Jack became the vaguely paranormal special operator known as The Ripper.
Great, but there must be something for a follow on from Rho. There is so much more that can still happen.
Don’t worry, John. I plan on doing several follow-up novels on the characters from The Rho Agenda and the changed world and galaxy in which they find themselves. Like my agent keeps telling me … “Write Faster!” 😉
Richard
big like! – thanks .
Great books! Your team really needs to get moving on the release of the third book.
still waiting, reread first two to ready for Wormhole. waiting, waiting, and waiting……..
Lawyers. I guess that explains it all. It may take finding a wormhole to actually get the book published.
And still waiting … It would be nice to get an update on this site though.
So please, can you confirm any date the book will be published?
Thanks in advance.
For a limited time, leading up to final contract signing, after which the manuscript goes to my publisher, I am enlisting the help of fans of my blog in providing early reader feedback on Wormhole. If you would like to participate in my early reader feedback program I can send a pre-edited draft version of Wormhole to your kindle or a pdf formatted version to your other ebook reader. In return, I just ask that you not share it with others and that you give me your general impressions of the novel (my editor will take care of the actual edit). If you have a real kindle device, I can send it directly to that. It won’t
work with the kindle app though.
1. Go to the Manage Your Kindle page on Amazon.com
a. Click on the link on the left hand side that says Personal Document Settings
b. Add my email account to the Approved Personal Document E-mail List(richard.phillips@secondship.net)
2. Click on the Manage Your Devices link on the left
a. Send me the Kindle E-mail Address for your kindle (something@kindle.com).
It will end in @kindle.com
Let me know if you’re interested via my email at Richard.Phillips@secondship.net
Best,
Richard
Richard,
You did it again. This book had so many surpries, vary exciting book. I finished it is less than a week, I work full time so I read every chance I got. I would love to see your triogy in a movie. I think it would make a great, great movie. [ Deleted spoiler comment … but good comment Joe … Richard] I love the flow of the story, the the story built up till the end. Was never knew for sure what was going to happen to the three teens. I thank you for giving me a oppertunity to read your book. I could harley wait for your books to come out and to give me a chance to read your book before the book went to the finial publisher I thank you again. I hope you keep writing, I will always will read your books.
Thanks Joe. I had to delete a couple of sentences from your original comment that could have spoiled some of the ending for other fans, but I enjoyed your take.
when will the third book be out on kindle?
I don’t have a date yet. My publisher’s editor will do the edit, then I’ll approve it. Then it will be scheduled for publication. In the mean time, if you want to participate in my early reader feedback program I need you to add my email … richard.phillips@secondship.net … to your approved sender’s list on Amazon’s Manage Your Kindle page and send me your kindle’s or kindle app’s email address … something@kindle.com … Then I can send the draft of Wormhole directly to your device.
Hello Richard,can l add my name to the list of readers waiting for the 3rd book in the r
ho trilogy. Like my dad before me sci-fi is the only read to really stretch the imagination and your first 2 books have done just that.
Waiting, waiting, waiting 🙂 I think your writing style is up there with the best, keep up the excellent work, can’t wait for the next book(s), read the first two, unable to put them down….
cheers
P.S. 1 & 2 are on the shelf next to Alan Dean Foster, Larry Niven, Joe Haldeman, Harry Harrison and Jack Campbell.. I even put the e-book wormhole onto a CD and keep in the same shelf…. Up there with the best..says it all really… 😉
The Ripper… wohoo.. Should be a good read…
Sorry but your new publishers have screwed you. I am sure after this long a period all the marketing momentum for your series has been vastly slowed. Sales is like a train it does not just stop but slows gradually. Like a train however once it slows it takes a ton of power and expense to get it moving faster. I think you have a good series and potential as writer so I hope you can over come this. Dennis W.
Hi Dennis. That is a very worthy topic and one I plan a blog article about. It is certainly true that the transition from self-publishing to a major publishing house is painful and has an assortment of negatives, loss of the ability to immediately publish my work, having to split royalties with agent and publisher, operating on their schedule as opposed to mine, but there are a number of advantages they bring to the table that an author just can’t do alone. I made my decision based upon what this particular publisher has to offer. As you may know, 47 North is one of the publishing imprints Amazon has launched to compete against the Random Houses of this world and I believe they are going to set the mark going forward. With 47 North, not only will my novels be available in eBook format, they will be professionally edited by some of the top people in the industry and published in print, audiobook, and eBook format. In addition, it won’t just be me trying to market my books and hoping people find them through browsing Amazon’s site. 47 North will be doing a worldwide marketing campaign using the marketing muscle of the biggest dog in the hunt, Amazon.com.
So, while it is frustrating to take a series that has been on a nice roll off the shelf for a while as all these pieces come together, I’m excited for the opportunity to make the series an even better product and excited for the upcoming launch by 47 North. While I think this provides the best approach for making my work available to a much broader audience, I understand that I may be wrong. With that in mind, I will be publishing periodic posts on this blog about what is happening in the process. Hopefully my experience will be helpful to other self-published kindle authors as they make decisions about their own publishing paths.
Thanks again for the comment.
Richard
Richard,
I read the first 2 books in days and was amazed at the quality of your editing and the ease with which I read the books. Your story is captivating and has a fantastic pace. It generally takes time for me to become accustomed to an author and their writing style, but that was not the case with these books. I found out about you through comments I read while checking for sequels to another series I am reading. Imagine my disappointment when I recommended your work to a fellow scifi reader a couple a months later (He was in the middle of a book when I first finished your series) only to find your work pulled from the kindle shelves. Also the delay in publishing the 3rd book is very frustrating since according to your blog the book has been finished since last year around this time or even before. While I understand you are working on marketing yourself and your work, why would you pull your work when there are people willing to pay you now for it? Where is the sense in that? Please consider revising your schedule as it is likely common knowledge that your work has already been released and the editing and story are top notch, so re-releasing them with artificial delays may tend to annoy your fans rather than build demand with artificial delays. Please continue to produce wonderful books and if you edit your future work the same way you did the first 2 books you should have no complaints.
Thanks Ben. I really appreciate the comments. It is about time for me to update my main blog post but I was delaying until I finished working through the developmental edits for all three novels. However, since you took the effort to post such a detailed comment, you deserve a detailed response, even if I will be repeating much of it in my main post. As far as pulling the novels goes, I have no choice there, since I no longer own the rights to them. Part of my contract with 47 North is that they purchased the publishing rights to all three Rho Agenda novels. They assigned an outstanding developmental editor, Jeff VanderMeer, to work with me on the final product for all three novels, an award winning sci-fi author and editor, who has been fabulous to work with. As of this morning (Tuesday, 29 May) I just finished my final cut for Wormhole, and sent it back to Jeff for his final review, a one day process, then I’ll get it for final approval and then forward it on to the 47 North Author team. That means I’m now done with the edit for all three novels. As you probably know, the developmental edit is very similar to the director’s cut in the movie business, with the exception that I, as the author, get to approve or disaprove any final changes. As opposed to a copy or line edit, where they look for wrongly spelled words or bad punctuation, this is all about story flow and trying to optimize it. It’s the expensive type of edit that only the big publishing houses can afford to provide. Sometimes that means we lose a couple of chapters, sometimes it means adding some, as well as moving bits here and there. Jeff and I did a little bit of all of the above in each of the three novels and I believe it will enhance the experience for future readers.
Meanwhile, the 47 North Author Team has been creating three covers for each of the novels based upon my input. I’ll pick my favorite for each book and then we’ll go final with the back and inside cover text. After that the books will go to print and 47 North will begin work with Brilliance audio to select the audio book actor(s) and to finalize the audiobook release schedule.
The English language version of the novels will be released in order, The Second Ship on October 3rd, Immune on October 30th, and Wormhole on November 20th. In the meantime, 47 North will be negotiating with foreign publishers for the foreign language rights and when the deals are finalized, those foreign publishers will do the translations into their respective languages.
All of this takes longer than me doing my own edit and posting the contents directly to Amazon’s Digital Publishing Platform, but allows me to get my novels distributed to a much wider audience and will give future readers an enhanced experience. By the way, I believe that Amazon Prime members will be able to access my novels for free … at least in the first few months of release.
I hope this provides you some assurance that we aren’t just sitting on our hands, but are working very hard to get The Rho Agenda out the door.
Best,
Richard
Richard,
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. I am anxious about the changes made to the first 2 novels, but will have to trust your judgement that the changes made have enhanced the experience. I am an Amazon Prime member so I imagine I will have access to Wormhole through this avenue, although it was my intention to purchase this content after enjoying the first book so much. I am curious about which versions of the first 2 books I will own after they are re-released, since I purchased these books through Amazon to begin with. Be interesting to see if I removed them from my device and re-downloaded if the content would change. It must be exciting to have the Cover art reflect your story better. I have often considered writing myself and commend you on sharing your vision with us all and exposing yourself to the criticism that comes with that. Keep creating and we will keep reading.
Regards,
Ben
Richard,
I read the first two books quite a while ago and had long since given up hope that wormhole would be published in my lifetime. However, the oher day I happened to check your blog and was delighted to see that it will soon be published. I have just finished rereading the first two novels. My only question is, when all the novels get re-released, will people like me who have already purchased the first two books get the new and improved versions for free?
Thanks,
Jonathan
Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for the comment and question. There are a couple of answers to your question. If you are an Amazon prime member, you have access to all the novels for free through the Amazon lending library. The changes to The Second Ship are minor. Immune has had a few changes including an additional chapter, but the story overall story remains unchanged. The biggest changes are in the Wormhole draft versus the final version.
Hope this helps.
Richard
G’day, Richard
I have read your Wormhole draft copy, I must say it drifted away from the first two. I can’t say too much without spoiling it for others but I must say it wasn’t quite what I expected, it left me a little empty. That’s not to say it’s not as good but maybe just a little too different.
cheers
Merv Dale
Australia
Hi Merv,
That’s okay. I’m not sure how early you read the early draft, but I think you’ll find a number of additions in the final that give the trilogy a bit more satisfying conclusion. With that said, and even though Wormhole completes The Rho Agenda trilogy, I do plan more novels that follow up on the surviving characters and the changed world in which they find themselves. First though, I’m working on a Jack Gregory prequel, tentatively titled – Once Dead.
Best,
Richard
G’day, Richard
I do remember hearing about the novel on Jack, can’t wait, a real interesting character to say the least 🙂 love to know his background.
cheers
Merv Dale
Thanks Merv.
I bought all three books for my kindle, I can’t wait till the Ripper book is published. The first three books were gripping.
Thanks Frances. Glad you enjoyed them. Happy Holidays.
It seems as though we’ve been waiting forever for Wormhole, and I marked my calendar when the November 20 date was set. However, three weeks have gone by and I have yet to see it show up the Nook store. A little research shows that 47 North is really just a fancy name for Amazon, so I’m really disappointed. (I should have taken you up on the chance for the advance copy, but it is important to me to buy the book from the author.)
Should I settle for the audiobook instead? I think it changes the reading experience, but I do enjoy them.
Thanks for the adventure!
Hi Logan. The reason it’s not available for the Nook is because Barnes and Noble refuses to allow anything published by Amazon’s new traditional publishing houses to be ported to the Nook. However, McLeod Andrews does a fabulous job with the entire trilogy on audiobook. You might want to read the extensive review Orson Scott Card posted for the audiobook version of Immune on Audible.com. I also reposted that review on this blog. If you get the MP3 formatted CD then you can easily copy the unprotected MP3 files to any MP3 player.
I’d love to have all the books available on the Nook, so hopefully B&N will change their policy. In the meantime, we just have to live with it.
Richard
Dear Richard,
I just finished the kindle edition of book 3. In two days. Unputdownable, as the cliche has it. What an excellent read! It has been a while since I read book 2, but you did an excellent job in providing just enough, but never too many, reminders to the overall story. The familiarity of all the characters was like meeting again with close friends or relatives after a long time.
I would love to see your trilogy turned into a movie.
But more than anything, please continue to write, you (and your team no doubt) are a star.
Wouter
Thanks Wouter. I’m hard at work on the Jack The Ripper prequel called “Once Dead” right now. If you happen to get a couple of minutes to post a short reader review on Amazon.com, I’d appreciate it. Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season.
Richard
Thank you Richard, I’ve added Jack The Ripper to my holiday wish list. Hope you enjoy the holiday season too.
Hi Wouter. Saw you posted a review. Thanks much.
The Rho Agenda is a brilliant series, I’m sure you have heard that a lot over the last few years but it really is a brilliantly sculpted work of literary genius. I enjoyed each book individually and thoroughly enjoyed them as a series. The characters in the book are just like puzzle pieces fitting perfectly together in their strengths and weaknesses. The mellifluous flow of the story from one plot to the next, from one character to the next was hypnotic. I got both the audiobook and kindle editions and i get very very few actual books but this one i have to add to my collection. OSC is a genius and you are well on your way to joining him on the pedestal of awesomeness. I can’t wait for your next series with Jack the Ripper, that was one of the few unsolved mysteries in Rho Agenda.
Many thanks for the kind comments Adedayo. I plan on doing a few novels after I finish the Ripper prequel, “Once Dead”, that will follow up on the surviving characters of the Rho Agenda and the technologically changed world in which they now find themselves. Happy New Year.
Richard
Wow… i am almost finished with the second book.. and I am hooked! Is there any discussion forum for the Rho Agenda? There are a few nagging questions I have that I cannot figure out.
Shoot them to me. I’ll be glad to give you my take.
Richard
Thanks for the quick reply. Well I am amazed at they way in which the physics are used in these novels. Particularly at the end of Chapter 22 of “The Second Ship” where Heather, Mark & Jennifer form the microscopic Black Hole. It was described as the laser didn’t generate the QT & instead a black hole that could not be stopped was created. What became of this?
Good question. The scene at the end of Chapter 22 of The Second Ship is a dream sequence which foreshadows events yet to come in Wormhole. She doesn’t get it totally right in her dream, but the dream correctly projects possible future consequences toward which events are driving humanity.
Finished with Wormhole. I have that inevitable meloncoly feeling now that the amazing adventure is over. It was an amazing read for me…I just absolutely loved it. I will re-read it one day for sure. I had another question or 2 for you.. but It would be very spoilerish to anyone who has not read all of wormhole… Ok to post it here?
Hi David,
Since your question contains spoiler information, send your question to my email address:
richard.phillips@secondship.net
I’ll be glad to give you all the dirt.
By the way, if you get a couple of minutes to post a short reader review on Amazon, I would appreciate it.
Best,
Richard
Cool!!! Looks like I was a tad bit impatient, as I have not yet read Wormhole. I hope to finish up Immune today and start Wormhole tomorrow. Really looking forward to it! Thanks again for your reply!
Richard,
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the rho agenda trilogy! I was absolutely hooked from the first book and I quickly purchased the remaining two. I am a Air Force Pilot and we have a lot of time at cruise altitude so it didn’t take me long to read all three on the long missions we fly. I was really impressed with the accuracy of the military portions that you added. I cant stand when the military is in a story and we are not accurately portrayed. I especially liked the inclusion of Ramstein Air Base in the story since that is where I am stationed! Some of the more in depth physics portions were way over my head but I enjoyed them as well. To be honest the only thing I didn’t like was that the story ended! I look forward to the future additions to this story as I feel like there is a lot more adventures to be had in the new world in which your characters now live. Thanks again for sharing such an amazing story with us and I am now a loyal fan!
1Lt Sean Jensen
Hi Sean.
First of all, I want to thank you for protecting our country at the risk of your life. I also want to thank you for the sacrifices you and your family make on a daily basis for all of us. As one who knows a little bit of what that is like, I want you to know that Carol, my lovely wife, and I appreciate all you do for us. I’m glad you enjoyed my Rho Agenda trilogy. Right now I’m hard at work on a Jack ‘The Ripper’ Gregory prequel titled “Once Dead”. I plan on doing at least three Ripper novels over the next two years. After that I want to follow up on the surviving characters from The Rho Agenda and the changed world / galaxy in which they find themselves. Thank you again. If you happen to pass through Phoenix, shoot me an email at richard.phillips@secondship.net . I’d love to buy you a caff / decaff beverage of your choice at my wife’s breakfast / lunch cafe … azbreadco.
Best,
Richard
Richard,
Thanks for the kind words! I have been in the Air Force for over 12 years now and I can’t imagine doing anything else! I look forward to reading the Jack Gregory novels. Do you have a release date for Once Dead? Speaking of The Ripper, I am very curious how the “imaginary friend” will be worked into future stories with the Rho Agenda gang. : )
Thanks again for the kind words and I will look you up next time I go out to AZ to visit my grandparents!
Sean
I don’t have a release date yet for Once Dead but it will probably be this fall since once I finish it we have to go through the editing and publication cycle, including the audio book production. I’ll post an update once I know. I do plan on following up on the surviving Rho Agenda characters in some individual novels, including one set about twenty years in the future that focusses on Robby. Best, Richard
nice reply on all count good for you Richard
Thanks Roger.
Loved the trilogy! It’s hard to put into words how much I enjoyed this series. The worst part was that the books ended. I can’t wait for anything that comes after and am eager to buy anything around Rho as soon as it’s available. The world (and universe) described and evolved in the book is completely fascinating but just close enough to reality that I was completely hooked.
I am very much impressed with the initial premise of the story – that a second ship existed and no one had ever knew. You described it so well and as the story unfolded the interactions and evolution was so natural and well written. I am a tech junky, deeply interested in quantum and theoretical physics, and as the kids started to develop and evolve into their new capabilities, the ideas and technologies as well as the way they utilized them are not only intriguing and clever, even brilliant, but realistic as well. Heck, I’m thinking we should have a QT transmitter everywhere! As the story advanced, the characters expanded and I appreciated even more why these individuals were here and how they fit into a larger puzzle.
Great work on weaving in the politics and government angles. I’m sure your years of government work offered a front row seat to how that happy circus rolls. Everything was believable and realistic. I very much appreciate you staying grounded and not going to extremes here. It made the story that much more believable and hence more addicting.
I work for the leading virtualization company and the ships computer was probably the most interesting although least explored aspect – a character in and of itself. And the clever way you your wrote the story leaves a lot to be told in the future (I like what you did there :)). What we now call high performance computing is evolving into more of a neural network of processing power leading to a technology much like your computer. Processing within processing, leveraging aspects of quantum theory to achieve what is today only imagined. I cannot wait to see where this takes us and I expect we are closer than most people think.
Thank you so very much for writing these books. I absolutely loved them! Even took some time off from reading just to simmer on the memories. Your are a very talented storyteller and your practical experience and training make you a solid science fiction writer. Not hard to guess I am a fan and look forward to getting your next books (plural). And one last note – I listened to the audio books and MacLeod Andrews was an excellent choice for narrator. If you find yourself passing through Austin, TX lunch/dinner/caffeinated beverage/whatever is definitely on me! Thank you so very much! Wes
Hi Wes. Thanks for taking the time to post your comments. I’m very glad you enjoyed the trilogy … and yes, I do intend to follow up on the characters and the changed world once I get done with Jack. Thanks for the invitation. I’ll definitely take you up on it if I get out to Austin.
Best,
Richard
Richard.
Have finished all three rho books and am looking and hoping for many more in the same he or a parallel series. Great writing and always wondering what comes next in the story. Keep up the good work. Any hints on when the next books wil be out?
Thanks.
Thanks Jim. I don’t really have a date on publication yet. My goal is to get the draft to my editor sometime in May. The actual release dates will be set by my publisher after that. I’m hoping for a fall release. I will post an update on this blog when I find out.
Richard
Got a Kindle for my birthday, purchased the trilogy, and just finished today on my break. Absolutely loved it, and if a fourth book comes out, I’ll be all over it.
Thanks Paul,
I’m working hard on Once Dead but still probably sixty days out from finishing the draft. I’ll update everyone as I get closer. If you get a chance to post a review on Amazon, I would appreciate it.
Richard
The thing I hated about the Rho Agenda series was that I simply could not put it down. It kept me up way too late. Mr. Phillips, you are a brilliant and gifted author, and without question, have another terrific career ahead…just wanted to ad my voice in thanks for a fantastically great story. Sua Sponte indeed.
Please keep up the good work.
Many thanks Taylor. Sua Sponte indeed.
Richard
Simply brilliant! Well written, great characters, awesome technology, surprises and even an occasional wtf! I hope you expand on this rich and sublimely satisfying universe. It’s been a very long time since I have had to ration my reading because I didn’t want it to end, but couldn’t put it down! Thanks for a wonderful read!
Many thanks Jon. I’m quite anxious to get back to the post Rho Agenda world to follow up on the characters and changed world / galaxy in which they find themselves, but first I feel a need to delve into Jack’s and Janet’s backgrounds. So I am currently working on “Once Dead”. Thank you again for reading my novels. I hope to provide you many more diversions in the future.
Richard
I see everything I want to say has been said already but still, fantastic books congratulations, I wish you all the success in the world.
I take back my earlier praise of your book. I wrote that praise while trying not to listen to the last hour of the audiobook in an effort to make the books last. At least Scott Sigler let the aliens come through the portal and he has an entire book left to feed his fan’s addiction. Mr. Phillips here gives us the aliens and then we need to wait another what….. 3 years or so for the fun to continue? I think not!
I say we all go on strike. Okay, since we’ve already books, it might be a little too late for that but still, we need to find some way to protest.
Sincerely,
Frustrated fan of GREAT science fiction.
Hi Kurt.
I hear you and relate. Hopefully, I’ll soon be able to write full time instead of only writing nights and weekends, which slows me down. When that happens, I promise you, I’ll pump them out faster.
Best,
Richard
Nights and weekends? I thought as soon as your book was on
Amazon you were instantly rich. No? 🙂
Thanks for your time and the great story. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Kurt. Not quite across that out of the rat race finish-line yet. I’m working on it though. I’ll let you know when I get there.
Any hopes that the trilogy may be picked as a movie?
Hi Janeen. My agent is in discussions. We’ll see what happens.
Richard
Agreed Janeen. That would be so awesome!
Glad you think so Wes. That’s a slow process but I’ll let you know if/when it happens.
Richard
Go for it Richard..as soon as I read the first versions and then all three in one hit I could see from a paying customer view point, that they would make brilliant films… The Scond Ship on it’s own has a far better script potential and more interesting story line than existing blockbusters… the better CGI gets the better the film portrayal of your books will be.
Still waiting for book No 4 ;)..
Kind regards,
Andy T, Somerset England.
PS both my kids have now read the books and even the wife thought they were good..
Ohmygosh! A movie/movies would be outstanding! Just finished your chapters on Once Dead….speechless I am. I am a fan and now my husband and daughter are hooked!
I’m flattered Janeen. I’ll finish the draft of Once Dead this month and then my publisher will assign and editor and we’ll polish it up. As soon as I know the planned publication date I’ll let you know.
Richard
Well we are hooked. It’s a family game now on naming who would play the part of Jack???? Any ideas fellow fans?
For the role of Jack I’m thinking Jason Statham (Expendables), Daniel Craig (Bond Series), or Matt Damon (Boerne Series). These guys are convincing bad-asses with the ability to cause serious damage, but also come across as thoughtful, smart, good looking, and experienced. As long as the part isn’t played by a younger pretty boy – which the character definitely is not.
Nah….needs to be an unknown. These books are so good that Hollywood, if permitted, will ruin the movies as it tries to make them palatable to some target audience or demographic. Jack is a very unique character, so PUHLEEEEEEEASE, not Damon, Craig, and especially…NOT KEANU REEVES.
I’ll be sure to pass all of your comments along to my agent. It’s interesting to hear the different takes on Jack. Don’t forget about Janet though, while you guys are figuring this out.
Hmm interesting as all the current known actors come with their expected persona from previous roles. But then I’m certain those who will be looking out for their own investment in any film deal will have experts choosing the cast… they will want to make as much money out of it as well as fuelling the need for the next films…
My own thoughts are more along the lines of who not to choose. That’s the problem with a book that leads the mind like the rho agenda.. Each reader who loves the book has already “seen” Jack and the other characters in their minds eye and built up a virtual photofit from the book.. so it will be difficult to appease them. But the whole idea is not to really cater for the relatively few who have read the book compared to the thousands that will need to see the film to make it pay…but to grasp the interest of those who will want to see the films.
Ideally I’d like to see a film that blows my mind like the books did/do.. So I would not wish to see an actor I already like because he won’t be “Jack”… if that makes sense…
But then a large proportion of people who go to see a film go because the actors in it are those they like or the genre of the film is linked to a certain actor and they have a good idea already of what they will get.
The new star trek films are brilliant because all the actors fit the roles very well because they meet the expectations of the viewers who already know what those characters were like. The rho agenda films will be different as there is a new expectation and a fresh perspective because the characters have not yet been visually represented by either TV/film or book cover art.
The other issue is the life cycle of the children as they mature and grow through the three books. It might be that the cast is chosen for the first book age groups and then time is left between films so that the “actors” grow together with the time line of the books.
Not too complicated for the adult characters but the children and the new baby that hopefully will appear in books 4 to..? 6… will grow quickly..again all depends how it’s time line is filmed.
There are some actors who are very well known that I would not be fussed about seeing in the film but in films the money often follows the name… and there are a few for the role of Jack that might be good..
Jack:
Karl Urban, Jeremy Renner, Matthew Fox, Gerard Butler, Jeffrey Dean Morgan…
Then there are the directors….
J.J. Abrams, Kathryn Bigelow, Alex Proyas, Christopher Nolan, Joss Whedon, etc…
But in the real world we will just have to wait and see…
Hi Andy,
Very detailed and thoughtful comment. In truth, I will probably have very little say as to which actors the studio chooses. Nevertheless, as Chief Dan George said in ‘The Outlaw Josey Wales’, I shall endeavor to persevere. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Richard
Alexander Skarsgård and a brunette Charlize Theron would make quite a pair!
Just finished the third book….am saddened and wanting MORE! This was an exceptional ride!
Thanks Janeen. Very glad you enjoyed my trilogy.
Richard
Hey Richard… quick question. I am highly anticipating reading your upcoming “Once dead” novel. I have not read your rough drafts yet as I prefer to just wait for the full publication and the audio book.
My question is: Will “Once dead” be categorized as Science Fiction? It seems to me the Jack character fits into more of an Action/Adventure fiction story rather than Sci-fi. Either way I am looking forward to it, just curios though.
Thanks
David
I’m not sure what category my publisher will put it in, yet. It is certainly action/adventure/thriller with a dash of the supernatural and shows how Jack gets to be who he is in The Rho Agenda. This is also where he first meets Janet Price. Richard
After thinking about the books and the amazing characters, complexity of each book a movie would cut all of this short…I’m thinking a mini series would so offer many avenues! Can’t wait to read something else written by you!
Thanks Janeen. It’ll be fun to see what happens with that.
Richard
Do you know the date of release of Once Dead yet? I just can’t find a thing to read. You are a hard act to follow!
I just finished Wormhole last night. I didn’t want it to end but I couldn’t put the book down! I’m so excited for Once Dead but I really hope you expand on the post Rho Agenda world in a new book. I’m so curious about little Robby and the AI, or rather his “imaginary friend”. Something crazy has to be going on with that!
Don’t worry, it may take me a while but I plan on getting back to the Post Rho Agenda world and our surviving characters there.
Am gobbling up Immune in audio format. Can’t wait to start Wormhole. The world created and the detail of the things that are “real world” is something I’ve rarely seen outside of Tom Clancy’s work. Congrats on such a fresh concept and excellent execution.
WHEN’S THE MOVIE TRILOGY?????
Thanks. I thought MacLeod Andrews did a great job with the narration.
Just saw others’ comments on directors.
JJ Abrams? ACK! Don’t let the abuser of faux lens flare anywhere near your material.
Joss Whedon? Absolutely! Someone who would care for the material as much as (or more than) his personal ego would be a great choice.
I’ll pass it along.
Richard
When will you have this series on Apple iBook? I see Immune there but not The Second Ship.
Hi Greg,
Although my publisher, 47North, has not made the books available in the iBook store, you can get them on your device through the free kindle app. Hope this helps. Immune is there because I did that when I self-published Immune, prior to signing a deal with 47North.
Best,
Richard
Hello don’t take to long for the 4th book, I am 75 and eagerly waiting.
Just love the world you have made.
Thanks Tom.
Will there be another series after this
Yes. I just gave my publisher the Jack Gregory prequel called “Once Dead”. I’m signed up to do two more Jack and Janet prequels and then I plan of following up on the Rho characters and their changed world with a couple more novels.
Richard
Excellent, cannot wait for them all (no pressure to hurrrrrrrryyyyyyy!) LOL! And thanks, most for such a rich world to be immersed in!
Really enjoyed the previews of your Jack Gregory prequels. I’ll not be surprised when I hear that dreamworks or others are making a much anticipated movies series.
Thank you. We’ll watch and see. In the meantime, I’ll keep cranking them out.
Richard
Started reading Second ship and didn’t put my kindle down until Wormhole was finished. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Thanks Justy. Glad you enjoyed the trilogy.
Richard
Looking forward to reading the update for the Rho Character line. I found the books very entertaining.
Thank Pablo. Glad you liked them.
Richard
Really liked the prequel re Jack. Is it complete and, if so, where can I get a copy!!!!
Thanks. I have turned it over to my publisher but they are pushing me to finish the next two Jack novels so they can release them back to back. The good news is that I’ll be stepping away from my day job writing military training software in December to write full time. I’ll try to have them done as quickly as possible.
Richard
Ok Richard, I have read the first 32 chapters of ‘Once Dead’ and I am now left salivating in anticipation of the rest, I think Jack is one of the best characters invented in any genre and think he will give Bond and Reacher a run for their money when he gets to the big screen. When can we expect the final installment my kids need something to get me for Christmas!
Thanks Paul,
I just finished the first round with Clarence Haynes, my fabulous editor, and we should finish before Christmas. After that it goes to the 47North copy editor and they get started on cover design and picking out the audiobook actor … hopefully McLeod Andrews will be available again as he did a fabulous job on The Rho Agenda trilogy. I’ll post an update as the publication schedule progresses.
Best,
Richard
Hello Richard, I have to admit that I had not heard of you as an author and took a chance on The Second Ship. I am an avid Sci-Fi fan now for the best part of 30 years.
WoW. Sir you have talent. Awsome listen. I purchase audio books to listen while I work (as a Fiber Optic Tech) I spend the best part of 12 hrs a day by myself in a splice lab. I found myself over the past week just listening to your novels all day then after work in my lab. Bought the first one on a lark and before I was half finished had grabbed the next two. Too enthralled by the story to pack up and head home.
I will be purchasing your next books as quickly as I see them for sale. Thank You for the great read!!!
As well as being dog tired. . .
Cheers,
Sean McCulloch
Thanks Sean. Glad you enjoyed listening to the audiobooks. I thought McLeod Andrews did a fine job as the audiobook actor. My editor should be getting the final edit of Once Dead back to me this week. Then it’ll go through copy edits and layout before they send it out to the audiobook actor and cover design. It looks like my publisher, 47 North, is aiming for an end of summer / fall release date so that they can release the other two Jack Gregory prequels in back to back months. I’ll post more info as I get it.
Thanks again,
Richard
OK….just finished book 3….now there has to be a book 4 – no?! That one sentence by Janet……
There will be at least one more Rho Agenda follow on novel. I plan on following up on the changed world(s) in which the surviving characters find themselves and doing a novel set twenty years in the future about the adult Rob(by) Gregory. In the meantime I’m still working hard to finish the three Jack and Janet novels set before the Rho Agenda trilogy by this coming August.
Best,
Richard
Awesome books.
Just finished third one and found this spot while looking for a fourth book. I read the previous posts so you’ve pretty much answered all of my questions, so I just wanted to say thank you for the information and your keeping your readers in the loop.
Keep up the good work, you have a fan in San Diego.
Doug
Thanks Doug. I expect to get the publication schedule from my publisher for Once Dead in the next couple of weeks and I’ll post an update when I do.
Richard
Hi Richard, just finished the 3 books and wanted to add my compliments to all the others. A thoroughly good read ! My only disappointment is to get to the end of all these blogs postings to discover the Ripper book is not out yet ! Keep them coming ! Regards Brian
Thanks Brian,
Just a quick update on my publication schedule. Once Dead is in production now and has a scheduled release date of August 8th.
Best,
Richard
Will the books come to Nook? Currently I believe only one book is available on Nook.
Hi Chuck. Unfortunately, since my publisher, 47North, is an Amazon company and there is a running battle between Amazon and B&N, Amazon is not making my eBooks available in Nook format and B&N is refusing to stock my paperbacks in their stores. Ahhhh well. The eBook version of Immune that is available on the Nook is an early edition. Sorry I don’t have better news in that regard.
Richard
I am not normally a sci-fi reader but my husband encouraged me to read these and I could not put them down. I was so tied up in the characters I hated to see it end! Can’t wait for more.
Don’t worry Patti, the Rho Agenda is far from over. After I finish the three Jack and Janet prequel novels I’m under contract for, I fully intend to write several follow-ups to The Rho Agenda to check in on the characters and the changed world in which they now find themselves.
Thanks,
Richard
Excellent books! I listened to them about a year ago now. I am going back through them in anticipation for your new books. I was wondering if you can recommend other books similar in style to your books. The only series I have found is The Star Force Series by B.V. Larson. I have listened to all his books and all of yours so I was wondering if you could recommend something. Where do you receive your inspirations from? I very much enjoy the alternative common sense Physics sprinkled throughout your books that goes counter to contemporary beliefs. That was what captured my attention originally when I first listening to your books. I am always shocked to hear views similar to mine. It lets me know I am not alone. I really enjoy the logical creativity you have expressed in your books. I can’t wait for more.
Thanks Joseph. I’m glad you enjoyed them. I enjoyed BV Larson’s books. I also liked listening to the Daniel Suarez audio books ( Daemon, Freedom, Kill Decision, and Influx). Influx is the most recent and despite the very technical opening, I think it is his best. Most recently, I loved the audiobook version of The Martian by Andy Weir.
As for my inspiration, I get most of it from articles buried in today’s news. I feel that one problem with our education system is that it trains people to accept what is commonly believed when I would like to see it teach our young people to question things. Our current understanding of physics isn’t reality, it is just the current set of accepted models. There is an old saying that the map is not the territory. Because most physicists have invested a lifetime learning the physics standard model, it threatens them whenever that model is questioned. But in my mind, the real core of all the sciences is to challenge every belief and try to come up with different models that offer the potential for revolutionary breakthroughs. I have little doubt that two hundred years from now, people will regard our current understanding of physics as laughable.
Beyond that, I just try to tell an entertaining story, something that provides a little escape from people’s day to day worries. If my stories only provide a few hours of pleasant distraction, I’m happy with that.
Great series. One of the best I have read in over 50+ years of reading sci-fi and fantasy. Can I get on a e-mail list to receive information on when the next Rho series will be released?
Hi Brad,
I’ll be glad to add you to my list. Thanks for reading my novels.
Richard
Have just read The Second Ship in almost a single sitting – really enjoyed the book! As a Computer Scientist myself, it’s good seeing topics like data mining etc. treated correctly! Could you also add me to the mailing list on when the next Rho series will be released?
Thanks Jon. Consider yourself added to the list.
Richard
I’ve been away a while, but I’m back! I just read your blog.. and bought Once Dead for my Kindle. I also added Dead Wrong to my wish list and look forward to buying it soon.
I love the rho Agenda series.. keep ’em coming. Outstanding work!
Thanks. I’m working my way toward the last of the three Jack and Janet prequels to The Rho Agenda. I think you’ll like how the third… tentatively titled “Left For Dead” ties in to the Rho Agenda trilogy and beyond.
Best,
Richad
Thanks much.
If you can tie Jack into the sifi books, that would be great. If not call him Jack Hammer, and give him a 45 auto with dum dums.
DEADMAN WALKING completes the tie-in that propels Jack into the Rho Trilogy. Without giving a spoiler, Anchanchu discovers its real origin isn’t at all what it thought.
Hi Richard,
I have read for a 3rd time the Rho Agenda trilogy. Is incredible how much it ease my long airplane trips visiting one customer from one city to another.
However what I really hope is to see your books on the big screen with a nice production from Holywood. Do you have any news on this possibility. I believe the Rho Agenda if converted into a motion picture trilogy, will be a complete success.
About the 4th Rho Agenda book, are you working on the book right now? do you have any spoilers to all fans reading your blog?
Finnally I will like to know how are going the plans to translate the books into spanish versions.
Thank you to keeping your fans always updated.
Regards,
Marvin
Hi Marvin,
Many thanks for reading my novels. To your first question, a major Hollywood producer has approached me about turning The Rho Agenda novels into a movie franchise and we have come to early agreement on that. That said, it takes a long time to put together all the pieces of a movie production before it gets off the ground: a director must sign on, the screenwriter must be found, the screenplay must be written, and a studio must sign on to film the picture (not to mention actors etc.) However, since this process is being backed by one of the largest, big-budget producers in Hollywood, I have confidence that he will bring it all together.
As for the 4th Rho Agenda book (which I think you mean the first book to follow-up on The Rho Agenda trilogy, I am starting work on the first of three novels now and hope to have the draft complete by the end of August 2015. In the meantime, I am very excited to have finished the three novels that make up The Rho Agenda Inception trilogy (ONCE DEAD, DEAD WRONG (to be released on Jan 6th, 2015) and DEAD SHIFT (scheduled for Jun 2015 release). These three books not only tell the backstory of Jack Gregory and Janet Price, they also gradually reveal the nature of the alien mind that draws Jack into The Rho Agenda trilogy. MILD SPOILER ALERT: The alien being who thinks of himself as an immortal mind worm called Anchanchu is DEAD WRONG about his own nature, something that Jack helps him discover in DEAD SHIFT, and which becomes very important in the trilogy that will follow The Rho Agenda (which I am currently calling The Rho Agenda Assimilation trilogy).
The foreign language rights to the novels are under negotiations. So far we have only completed a deal for the German language translation but my representatives are working hard on completing a deal for the Spanish translation. I will let you know.
Thanks again for your support.
Richard
Oh please, oh please ohplease!!!!
While I think a movie series would be awesome, I don’t think this story can be told in 90 minutes for each book.
Think MINI-SERIES… Or full on HBO/AMC series!
One season per book… THAT would be awesome!
Thanks Les.
Thanks for following, Richard. I have Dead Wrong on pre order – can’t wait. So glad to know you’re following up with the Rho Agenda series too!
You’re welcome and thank you.
Excellent writing. Having read science fiction since I was a boy, I pride myself on recognizing the good stuff fairly early, its chapter 37 of Once Dead and not only do you still have me hooked, and grateful there are other books in line, but after reading a page to my wife, you hooked her as well. She is Not a sci-fi reader, nor a lover of violent books, and yet, Taken is one of her all time favorite movies.
Thank you for the writing.
Timberbee
Thank you. Glad you are enjoying it. You’ll find that the first three novels build gradually to a sci-fi climax that leads into the harder sci-fi to follow. Most importantly, it introduces the mystery surrounding Jack Gregory’s alien passenger and his struggle to understand what it is and how it is linked to his and mankind’s destiny.
Best,
Richard
Hello Richard, thanks for posting the first chapters of the next one. Would you be able to send these out for reading on the Kindle to your beta Readers? … or at least to your German beta reader (-;
Matthias
Hi Matthias. Since I am not allowed to post more than a preview to my blog, I will be launching a program soon that I will call my Alpha Reader program. For those who don’t mind reading periodic updates in raw rough-draft form, you’ll be able to sign up to get sequences of chapters as I complete them and then compare to the changes that come out once my Beta Reader draft is ready. I’ll post that notification here on my blog and then form my Alpha Reader list from those who sign up.
Best,
Richard
I just wanted to tell you that i just finished the Rho Agenda Trilogy and it is the best science fiction series I’ve ever read! Can’t wait to start the Prequel Trilogy and then hopeful more of the adventures of our young superhumans.
Hi Dan,
I’m glad you enjoyed the series. The prequels start out with a lot less sci-fi but build to the tie-in that draws Jack and Janet into the Rho Agenda trilogy.
Best,
Richard
Have just come across the rho series. Just wondered whether to start with the first published book or read the prequel series first?
Hi Kevin,
I recommend starting with the prequel series which introduces you to two of the important adult characters in the novels, Jack Gregory and Janet Price, how they got to be who they are, and over the course of three novels reveals what ends up binding Jack’s destiny to the subsequent events in the Rho Agenda trilogy.
There are a couple of things you need to know about the series:
* The first prequel has a bit of sci-fi that almost feels paranormal but is primarily an action thriller
* The second has more of a sci-fi link
* The third takes the sci-fi to the point that it lays the path toward the hard sci-fi that is coming
Hope this helps. Enjoy.
Best,
Richard
I really enjoyed your series but I think I may have read the two trilogies the wrong way round ie: Rho Inception first, followed by Rho Agenda – chronological in terms of the story but not from when written. Consequently I really missed the relationship between Anchanchu and Jack Gregory develop into a working partnership. It is clear that Robbie will have a similar relationship with his AI – and what about Big John.
When will the third trilogy be released?
Thanks for reading them. Most people, because of the order in which I wrote them, have read the Rho Agenda first. I don’t think it’s a huge deal, but the Rho Inception does explain how Jack got to be the Jack in The Rho Agenda. I have just finished Chapter 55 in Book One if The Rho Assimilation which picks up where The Rho Agenda ends so you can count on having a number of threads tied up in that story, (i.e. Robby and his AI, Jack and Anchanch / Khal Teth, the stymied Kasari invasion, the Incan Sun Staff, and the missing VJ15 Holographic Data Sphere with the Steve and Helen Grange minds also stored on it that Admiral Riles had in his possession). Quite a lot to do in this next trilogy but will be fun.
Hope this helps.
Richard
Are we able to preorder the new books so I can have it on my kindle as soon as it has been released.
Not yet. The first won’t be available for preorder until I finish the draft, get it past my editors, and my publisher accepts the final version. However, if you would like to be a part of my early Beta Reader program, just send me an email at
Richard.Phillips@secondship.net and I’ll add you to the list. That way I will notify you as soon as the Beta draft is ready and can push it to your kindle. (Hopefully around the end of August).
Richard
Is it true that the Kindle is really a piece of beneficial alien technology disseminated to beguile and bewitch the earth population into becoming enslaved into the mighty Amazon empire!!
Simon
Quite possibly.
Richard
I knew it….
I have just read Second Ship and Immune on kindle, and am now reading Wormhole. What is the next book to read in series? Is it Dead Wrong or is it Once Dead? I have really enjoyed the first two books. Thank you Richard Phillips for creating such great reads.
Hi Stuart,
The next book you should read is Once Dead. It is the first of the Jack Gregory and Janet Price trilogy that explain how they came to be the people they are and how they were drawn into The Rho Agenda. Right now I have just finished chapter 60 of Book one of The Rho Agenda Assimilation, which picks up just after Wormhole. If you would like to be a Beta Reader (free) of that draft, just drop me an email at: Richard.Phillips@secondship.net.
Thank you so much for reading my novels.
Best,
Richard
Hi Richard, I have enjoyed all your books. If there could have been an alternate ending to Wormhole, I would have like to see the parents coming to New Zealand and made aware of the changes to Mark and Heather. The dads could help with both the farm and their technical expertise in future endeavors the kids get involved with.
All could enjoy potential grandchildren.
Tom
Thanks Tom. As it turns out, I just sent out the Beta Reader Draft of Book One of The Rho Agenda Reforged trilogy (which picks up right after Wormhole). If you would like to have me push a free copy of the draft to you as well, I’ll be happy to. I just need a couple of things:
1. Your kindle’s email address ( something@kindle.com )
2. You need to add my email address ( richard.phillips@secondship.net ) to your Amazon.com account’s Approved Document Senders List
Shoot me an email if you are interested.
Richard
Hi Richard, my kindle email address is sheryly@kindle.com
thanks
Tom
Hello Richard, I wish I had found this site a few years ago when I first read the Rho agenda and then the Jack Gregory series. I push your books to many youth and young adults, those who are looking for something different and not wishy washy when it comes to the young teen series. Most of the youth that read your books cannot put them down, and I know for a fact that my kids have read your books at least three times each. Much like Mr. Yarbrough I also would like to see the quest to continue beyond Mark and Jennifer in New Zealand. There is so much more that come into play with their story to include a combination along with Jack and Janet. Also I wanted to mention that I am literally fascinated at how you use real life locations in your stories. Many people would not even think twice while reading a book about the locations, however I know many of the places you have described such as the cemetery you mention in Fairfax. I have a brother in law enforcement that is buried there and your description, even though brief was dead on. Good luck in your future writings and I am looking forward to push your books to our youth.
Daniel
Many thanks Daniel. I’m glad you enjoyed them. I just finished the draft of the first of three books that will follow-up right after Wormhole ends … The Kasari Nexus – Book One of the Rho Agenda Assimilation. If you’d like to get in on my free Beta Reader program for this novel (while it lasts), I need a couple of things:
1. Add my email ( richard.phillips@secondship.net ) to your Amazon.com account’s Approved Document Sender’s list
2. Email me with your kindle’s email address ( something@kindle.com )
Then I’ll push the Beta Draft to your device.
Best,
Richard
Can you tell me the preffered order to read your books? There are many book 1’s… You come highly recommended and I would like to start at the start.
Good question. I’ll create a post at the top level but here is the starting from scratch recommended reading order:
1. Once Dead
2. Dead Wrong
3. Dead Shift
4. The Second Ship
5. Immune
6. Wormhole
7. The Kasari Nexus (Release Date 5 April 2016)
Best,
Richard
Not sure what you are asking here. I love the way the Rho Agenda flowed and then followed up with the Jack Gregory Series
Sent from my iPhone
>
I would start with the Jack Gregory Novels then move on to the Rho Agenda trilogy. I wish I had been able to read them in that order but either way you will love the books!
Mr. Phillips,
Thank you for your books. Your ability to organize and simplify complex story lines and multiple characters simply amazes me. I have told many of my friends about your books. I hope that you have been generously rewarded for your literary talent. I am waiting for the Rho Agenda to be picked up as a movie script. Wormhole would make an exciting motion picture : ) P.S. – Thank you for your military service.
Thank you.
Just reread all 3 books before I get to feast on book 1 of three , the kasari nexus . This is the stuff of dreams and these books let you actually visually it. Perfect.
Many thanks Lionnel. Glad you enjoyed it.
Best,
Richard
I read the original 3 books that make up the Rho Agenda and then got lost as to it continuing sequence. Is there a direct sequel to Rho Agenda – Wormhole?
Yes there is. The Kasari Nexus.
Best,
Richard
Hi Richard
Just wanted to say thanks for all your efforts. It’s a tough job I’m sure as a writer and challenging to balance the desires of your readers for more work with the creative side of developing the great story lines that you do. I really appreciate the work you do and the enthusiasm of your fans only reflects how much they value your stories. I’ve really enjoyed reading your work. Thanks again and look forward to all of the new ones when they are ready.
Matt from far away Australia!
Thanks Matt. Glad you are enjoying it.
Best,
Richard
Entered the party late! Treated myself to birthday download of Kasari Nexus, spur of the moment thing. Good decision as I thoroughly enjoyed it and then joy of joys found there are several more books leading up to it. Now read them in order and await the latest book in December ’16. Part of me wishes there were more available to read, but that might have diluted the quality of the story, its pace and delivery. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Best,
Richard
Laughed out loud when I read the name of the Deputy Director. I look forward to seeing if “William Jackson” shows up.
I am enjoying the series and appreciate that The Ripper delivers where say, The Gray Man only promises (and misses.)
The series also reminds me of John Varley’s Thunder series, so good company.
Thanks Dennis. Glad you got the connection to Dr. Stephenson’s name and happy that you enjoyed it.
Best,
Richard
Hi Richard,
I have just finished reading The Second Ship which I loved and have started reading Immune both downloaded from Amazon kindle. I’m
confused because my download of Immune is a shorter version of the Second Ship but all the reviews I’ve read states this is a follow on story. Please advise.
Thank you.
Hi Janet,
Something is wrong with that download. Try downloading it again because Immune is a follow on book that is considerably longer than The Second Ship. If you continue to have a problem downloading it, let me know and I’ll see if I can’t help you. You can email me directly at richard.phillips@secondship.net
Best,
Richard
Hello.
Just wanted to say that I have enjoyed your book The Second Ship. I have started the second one in the series, Immune.
I think I will continue to Wormhole and finally The Kasari Nexus before I decide to read the three prequels
Once Dead, Dead Wrong, Dead Shift.
The three prequels are only of Jack correct? And not the three teens?
You are correct, the first three (Once Dead, Dead Wrong, and Dead Shift) are about Jack and Janet and not the teens. It will be fine to read the others first. However, I recommend reading the Dead series before reading The Altreian Enigma which comes out in December because the Dead Trilogy explains a number of things important to the Rho Agenda Assimilation trilogy:
1. It explains the alien presence that rides in Jack’s mind
2. It explains the powerful Altreian artifact called the Incan Sun Staff
3. It explains the artificial intelligence stored on a holographic data drive that was once in Admiral Jonathan Riles’s possession but has since disappeared.
Hope this helps.
Best,
Richard
Thank you for the reply.
I guess I will read Once Dead, Dead Wrong, and Dead Shift before I continue to the Rho Agenda Assimilation trilogy 🙂
I think it will add to your enjoyment of the Assimilation books. Enjoy.
Hi Richard,
just started your books with the second ship, really good start too but it’s still early enough for me to re-group and consider the dead books first.
I have often wondered though why many authors such as yourself decide to introduce prequels after already writing a superb set of multiple best selling books with a superb storyline.
Thanks
Brian
Excellent question Brian. When I started writing The Second Ship, I had no concept of Jack Gregory or Janet Price. However, about a third of the way through that novel, I had three teenagers who were totally in over their heads and needed to the attract the attention of some serious, bad-ass, national security operatives. Enter Jack and Janet. Then over the course of the three Rho Agenda Novels, Jack and Janet became such an integral part of the story that I felt compelled to tell their backstory, and how that draws all of them in to the follow on, Rho Agenda Assimilation. As you might tell, at this point, there are planner novelists and there are seat of the pantser novelists … yes, I am a pantser. That said, enjoy. Richard
Do you ever do book signings? Perhaps at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale?
Hi John. I have done a number of signings, most recently in October in support of the YOPUS program at the Ahwatukee Foothills YMCA. I have not done any at the Poison Pen. However, if you would like to turn your paperbacks into signed copies, I will be glad to send you a free sheet of ten signed book-plates (decorative stickers) that you can stick inside the book covers. If you are interested, just email me at richard.phillips@secondship.net with your mailing address and how you would like them personalized.
Best,
Richard
Richard
Do you attend SF conventions?
Bubonicon is this summer in Albuquerque…
Hi Dennis. I do periodically attend conventions, depending on my writing and editing schedule. I will check into this one and let you know if I can fit it into my schedule.
Richard
I would find it nice to meet my favorite author
Give me a shout when you are in Phoenix area and I’d be glad to meet over coffee or lunch. email: richard.phillips@secondship.net
Best,
Richard
Hello Mr. Phillips!
I’ve read the first Rho trilogy and am almost finished with the second book of the Assimilation trilogy. I went to download the third and found out that it isn’t released yet! I was bummed out as this has been one of my favorite series of books, and just story, in general and I don’t want to wait until August to finish! haha Especially since I’ll be deployed at the time and am not sure I’ll be able to download it right away. I am glad however to find out about your prequel trilogy on Jack and Janet so I’m looking forward to reading that!
I’d just like to say how much I’ve enjoyed your books and I think you are an excellent writer. How simply you explain complex scientific theories and technologies always amazes me. Your descriptions of the environments and settings in which your characters find themselves is often stunningThank you for what you do and I look forward to reading more of your work, even outside of the Rho series!
P.S. Is it too late to be put on the beta readers list for this series finale?? If not, my kindle email address is
michaeldcastrillo@kindle.com
Thanks again!
You’re welcome. You slid in under the wire for the Beta. I’ll send it out.
Best,
Richard
Hey Richard. Thanks again for sending me The Meridian Ascent. You’re obviously a smart guy and your story over nine books became complex with many intertwined threads all coming together at the end(maybe) of the series. I love this type of writing (i.e. Game of Thrones comes to mind). I’m just wondering if you know of any books that maybe you have read that you can recommend? I have been scouring Amazon but I’m stuck. Your book was so good, that the last two books I read have been let downs. Thanks, JedK
There are The Expanse novels by SA Corey. The dinosaur novels by Vic Milan are also great reads, though not hard SF. Check out John Ringo’s books too.
Thanks
The Expanse starts good, but it declines in the later books. However I really enjoy Brandon Sanderson books. The Reckoners, Mistborn and the stormlight saga are very good.
Love Brandon Sanderson … His Stormlight Archive is the best … The Way of Kings … The Words of Radiance. Awesome.
Richard
Hi Richard, I would very much like to read more of your books as I thoroughly enjoy them. Unfortunately i cant work out the correct order to read them in. I would really appreciate a list from 1st to last so that I can order the lot at once and then have a continuance of story The Rho ones seem to have 2 book 3’s.
Cheers and beers
from Jennine Armistead
Melbourne Australia
Hi Jennine.
Here is the chronological order of my Rho Agenda Series:
The first three books (the inception series) gives the Jack and Janet backstory and also reveals the backstory of the alien rider (Khal Teth aka Anchanchu) in Jack’s head that is pulling him into the Rho Agenda.
1. Once Dead
2. Dead Wrong
3. Dead Shift
Books 4-6 introduce the two space ships from warring alien civilizations, The Second Ship (Altreian) and The Rho Ship (Kasari Collective) and their continuing warring agendas as they choose their champions.
4. The Second Ship
5. Immune
6. Wormhole
Books 7-9 follow up on Wormhole and its aftermath.
7. The Kasari Nexus
8. The Altreian Enigma
9. The Meridian Ascent.
Hope this helps.
Best,
Richard
All brilliant, just waiting for the Meridian Ascent to be published and that’s the ONLY downside as Richard cant write a new book in the time it takes me to read the previous one (usually the day I get it) so I have to wait pacing up and down like an expectant father for the next book to appear. I also really hope that Richard gets a film deal for the “Second Ship” trilogy AND the “Once Dead” trilogy because they are too good just to remain in print. I will defiantly contribute to any crowd funding needed as well…
Thanks Andy.
Richard
PS best SiFi I like to read more than once is Richard, Alan Dean Foster, Joe Halderman, Jack Campbell, Larry Niven.
Joe Halderman jeez Louise my kind of writer
You’re welcome Richard. I’m wearing the pages out 😉
Hi , loved the Second Ship trilogy but what order should I read the following books?
Regards
Terry
The chronological order of the series is as follows:
The Rho Agenda Inception series introduces Jack Gregory and reveals the alien mind rider from the species who built The Second Ship
1. Once Dead
2. Dead Wrong
3. Dead Shift
The Rho Agenda Series
4. The Second Ship
5. Immune
6. Wormhole
The Rho Agenda Assimilation Series which takes the battle for beyond Earth
7. The Kasari Nexus
8. The Altreian Enigma
9. The Meridian Ascent
Hope this helps.
Richard
Woohoo, my paperback copy just arrived on the doorstep from Amazon.. should read it through tonight.. 😉
Excellent thanks. Got 5 in the next series
Aw did I read them in the wrong order?
Anyway superbly written, concise, tight no meandering pointless information.
Dear Richard
Any News about the German translations of the books 1 to 3 and 7 to 9?
Regards from Switzerland
Markus
Hi Markus. Currently only The Second Ship, Immune, and Wormhole have a German publisher and German translations. Hopefully the others will be available in the coming year.
Best,
Richard
Many thanks, read the 2nd ship, imune & Wormhole & enjoyed them immensely
Regards
Terry
Thanks Terry. I think you will like the Kasari Nexus, The Altreian Enigma, and The Meridian Ascent as well, since they pick up right where Wormhole ends.
Best,
Richard
Needs to be a Netflix series
Netflix could do so much for this story I have read all these books about four times now it’s just as good each time. I would love to see it as a Netflix series I think it would be great.
Thanks Chuck. We are working on it.
Hi,
I have just come across Polish edition of “The second ship” and read whole in one session. Incredible plot, great scientific background and interesting topic are positioning this book high in my rankings. Being MSc in electronics & telecommunications, I am delighted by technical details brought by the author, that make this book so realistic and convincing, unlike many others.
I think I will not manage wait for Polish edition of next books, going to purchase English version now 😉
Thanks Adam. Glad you enjoyed it.
Richard
And so I’ve read “Immune” and “Wormhole” in English, since there is no Polish translation yet. I am still impressed by the plot and the way events are presented, final scene on the Gateway Day being a masterpiece. Now I am starting “The Kasari Nexus” and have to admit that I am bit afraid that good impression from the Rho Agenda series may fade – the more we get to the alien world the more likely to me that book will resemble other novels on similar topics. This uncertainty is also fed by a short summary of “Once dead” – I didn’t decide to read it first as it seems more fantasy than science and may spoil whole of my impression developed so far. Anyway, having already read 3 Rho Agenda books by Richard, I have some trust and some hope that the next ones will keep his own, unique stadard, so uncommon in this area – combining SF with strong science background, that makes these books so credible (though may be a bit tricky for translators who have troubles even witho correct translation of terms such as ‘quantum twins’ or ‘differential equations’ ;). Probably most of population treats these details as unneccesssary magic, still there is audience like academic society that is hungry for such things in leasure books and it’s the niche not covered so far, as far as I can say.
So to Richard – thank you for the Rho Agenda, I continue for more 🙂
Thanks Adam. I’m glad you are enjoying the series. Never fear, while part of the story goes off planet, what happens on Earth and the characters that remain there are still a central theme in the Assimilation trilogy. Enjoy,
Richard
I have just finished ‘The Kasari Nexus’ and I have to say…. well it is even better than first three books of the Rho Agenda, even though, as I expected Scion inhabitants are much human-like (however who says actual aliens are not? ;).
I am now on ‘The Altreian Enigma’.
Richard, if you read this, I have just one curiosity about the merit in the book – why Jenniffer’s SRT alien headband does not allow communication with Earth? I know it is better for the story, however technically quantum twins based comm should work irrespective of distance. Maybe there is an answer in the next books (if so, no need to explain, at the beginning I noticed Jennifer beind younger than Heather and Mark, thought is a mistake, and it all explained later), otherwise it is some technical inconsistency.
Best regards,
Adam C
I also immensely enjoyed the rho agenda trilogy. Now I’m half way through “Once Dead” which I’m really enjoying. It’s obviously quite a different book than the rho trilogy but it’s still well written and is carrying me along nicely. Great action scenes, very vivid.
I appreciate that Terry. Glad you are liking the Rho Inception series.
Richard
I discovered the Rho Agenda series via amazon kindle a few week back when they suggested the The Kasari Nexus. Since then I have finished The Altreian Enigma, Meridian Ascent. I will be starting at the beginning of the series in a bit, I need a short break. I work in Los Alamos from 1969 to 1979. I have live in New Mexico 60 years. I am an engineer,the was seduced my computers in 1974. I work on primitive AI and nurture net research. I find your stories to be entertaining and fuel for my organic “what if” engine. I looking forward to reading the rest of the series. peace and long life – Mike
Thanks Mike. It’s always great to hear from someone who lives in New Mexico and has lived and worked in the fascinating towns of Los Alamos and White Rock. I appreciate the kind comments.
Best, Richard
Glad to hear it. Always good to have a techy double-checking my logic. You are correct about space-time having no effect on quantum twins shared states. However, in this case, Jennifer’s headset is not quantum entangled with Heathers but is only a subspace-receiver-transmitter (SRT). Although subspace transmission has its own speed that waves travel through it which are orders of magnitude faster than normal space speed of light, there is a lag over galactic distances. Also, the power and size of the transmitter determines the maximum range that it can transmit or receive a signal. The alien SRT headsets have significant range but nowhere near as large as the range of signals sent from the Second Ship or other Altreian starships.
Hope this helps with the technical inconsistency.
Best,
Richard
Richard,
Many thanks for clarification, it works perfectly. Indeed I missed the difference between SRT and QT based communication, despite it is obvious even from name difference. I may have missed the explanation and have to revisit “The second ship” to double check 😉 This is the only book that I read in Polish and maybe some details were lost in translation, but your explanation is so obvious that I should have found it myself.
I agree with other readers that putting your books on widescreen would result in a hit! Hope it will happen.
Best regards
Glad that helped. By the way, I am very excited that my publisher in Poland, Fabryka Słów publishing house, is preparing to release the Polish translation of Immune and will follow up with the Wormhole translation next year. Thanks for your support.
Richard,
That’s great news. Finally my wife will be able to complete the Rho Agenda trilogy 🙂
Regards,
Adam
Hello,
I recently finished the Rho series and am dying to know whether you have any additional books forthcoming, or whether you are creating any spin off series with these characters. I loved the entire series, but after growing up in Los Alamos and having spent my fair share of time exploring the canyons there, Heather, Mark, and Jennifer’s story line was particularly fun to read.
Working on the Endarian Prophecy Series now, but could use another dose of Rho if you have any more!
Many thanks from a big fan,
Kat
Hi Kat. Many thanks for reading my novels. I do plan on following up on at least a couple of the openings left at the end of the Rho series and will do that as soon as I finish the Endarian Prophecy series. I just needed to take a little break from Rho to let my mind refresh and settle on which characters I will focus on in a Rho follow-on.
Best,
Richard
There is a good prequel trilogy starting with “Once Dead” which I recently finished and enjoyed very much. They involve Jack and Janet from the “Rho Agenda”
And a sequel trilogy to the “Rho Agenda ” starting with the “Kasari Nexus”
That’s great news, thank you!
Just finished “The Altreian Enigma” (great book) and begun “The Meridian Ascent”.
In the beginning of the latter book, a very interesting equation doodled by Heather describing dr Stephenson theories is a result of combining of probably most famous E equals mc square and energy of quantum E equals Planck’s constant times frequency.
I wonder if there are any scientific papers known to you, Richard, that follow the interpretation that you described so well in the book. I find it very interesting.
Regardless, I became a fan of this series and will go through rest (need to start Once dead and other 2). I also hope you won’t stop writing 😉
I just finished “Once Dead ” and enjoyed it very much. I’m glad I read the “Rho trilogy ” first.
It was good to find out Jack the Ripper origin after meeting him in Rho and finding out why he was so invincible.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. Richard
Hi Adam. Very fine comment. Few people have caught that doodle and its significant formulation of the basis of Dr. Stephenson’s Ether Theory which briefly states that light is not both particle and wave but that all particles are packets of waves. Thus it was useful for me to combine the De Broglie wavelength of for a photon of a certain energy with Einstein’s E = mc^2. The summation or integral in the doodle was as you state, to illustrate that the particles we observe are made up of the sum of the wavelengths from which each harmonious wave packet is formed. Also Stephenson envisioned all energy resulted as a difference in the ether density and that particles were mere standing wave packets of greater ether concentration. Good catch. As for scientific papers that address this conjecture, I haven’t read any, although there are likely to be some out there.
Best,
Richard
I am just after finishing “The Meridian Ascent”. I wish I haven’t finished reading it – it’s a great book and interesting conclusion of the story so far. Potential openings at the end give some hope the author will put his efforts on creating a followup with the story and not call it a day 😉
I will now get on “Once dead” and two subsequent books.
Finished “Once Dead” really enjoyed it after first read the Rho trilogy
Hi Terry. Glad you liked it. I think you’ll enjoy seeing how I tied the Dead series to the Rho books in Dead Wrong and Dead Shift.
Best,
Richard
Hi Adam,
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading.
Best,
Richard
Hi Richard,
I have completed all Rho books, including Dead series and liked them all. Moreover I am pleased that translation of Immune and Wormhole just hit the stores in Poland – I just bought them to allow my wife read the rest of the story. I look forward for translations of the continuation (Altreian Enigma, Kasari Nexus, Meridian Ascent), and I hope the series will get its coninutation :).
Thanks for creating such fantastic series!
Best,
Adam
Thanks Adam. Glad you enjoyed the Polish translations.
Best,
Richard
Well, regarding translation I am not fully satisfied. It seems that translator has made some kind of escalation: Dr. Stephenson has become “professor Stephenson”, but also language used got much stronger. Forgive me being direct, but these are proper quotes from the Polish book, e.g.: “Immune”, chapter 22, you wrote: “Shit. Get us some backup”, is translated as “Fuck. (…)”, “I can’t tell where the hell the fire is coming from.”, is translated as “(…) the fucking fire is coming from”. When it comes to technical terms, the translation is poor – as an example “sending out a cross-frequency squelch signal.” is translated as “(…) noise jamming signal”, which totally does not make sense. I could offer them consultancy for free if they go for translation of your next books to improve the outcome. Apparently translator is good at English but poor wherever scientific terms are used. This, however, does not justify escalation of language used, which may be wrongly received by some readers.
Hi Adam. Thanks for letting me know. As for the translation, I have no control over that. It is strictly up to my Polish Publisher. That said, I am sorry that you found their version offensive, especially since I made a concerted effort to keep the English version pretty clean and family oriented (although the violence is fairly explicit).
Best,
Richard.
Movie on the series?
My team and I are working on it. We will be submitting a treatment to movie studios in April.
Very cool news . I had lost hope for this . It would be an AMAZING series or movie(s). So long as they stick close to the source material.
Fantastic news, as you know the first thing I did after completing the reading of them all was to tell you it would make a great/fantastic film/TV/Netflix series I would pay to watch. Also The Ripper series is ideal for Netflix/Amazon/NOW series. Cant wait.. Kind regards ANDY.T UK
I will do my best. Movies almost never completely match the novel but it needs to stay close enough to avoid losing the series.
So you’re saying that Dean Cain hasn’t a shot at the lead?
Ha ha.
Some time back you mentioned that there would be a continuation of the series with the Ripper ‘Son. Are you still working on that? Do you ever read another author’s work?
Hi Michael,
Yes. As far as reading other authors… constantly. I’m currently loving the Expeditionary Force novels by Craig Alanson.
Best,
Richard
Long a fan……look.forward to new work !
Thanks much. I’m looking forward to getting it through the edits, cover design, etc which will begin shortly after the start of the year.