I’m stoked to be writing a series of stories inspired by another creator’s future human history.
Known Space
If you’re familiar with sci-fi author Larry Niven, you’re familiar with the idea of a “Known Space” playground. Larry created his vision of the future for humankind, all the history and technology and wars and alien species, and that became a kind of a sandbox within which stories could be told. Larry wrote most of them (novels, novellas, short stories), but other authors also played in that sandbox.
Of course, other similar universes exist… that’s essentially what the IP for the Star Wars universe is, or the Star Trek universe, or, in fantasy, Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe. Any comprehensive universe developed through some kind of world-building process (including robust TTRPG worlds) is a place where lots of different stories can be told by lots of different people… as long as they respect the rules of the world.
My New Project
I’ve partnered with a creator who’s built out a massive future human sci-fi universe, filled with geological cataclysms, modified Earth species, alien species, interstellar wars, and more. He’s invited a select group of authors to tell stories in his universe, and they’ll be bundled together and published as collections.
So far, I’ve written one story about treaty negotiations between humans and another species, filled with political intrigue and subterfuge… and now I’m mapping out five more stories to write between now and mid-2026.
This is an especially exciting project because, unlike the many other stories and novels I’ve ghostwritten, I’ll be credited as the author on these stories. I’m looking forward to being able to share my work under my own name!
When the time comes, I’ll share more details on who this creator is, what their universe is like, and where the stories are available.
It’s such a privilege to be trusted with the creative work of other writers, and invited to tell stories in their worlds. I feel very lucky!
Chip Street - Writey Guy 