Orion's Spur

08/05/2026

I approved the draft copy of the front cover for book 3 of the Salt of the Earth series, "Pandora's Box". I believe the publisher plans to have it out on print and ebook before Christmas.

06/30/2026

I've been quiet of late. I tend to wait for big news to post. It has been busy, but not huge announcements.

The release of Rise of Ryder which combines the first three books of the Orion's Spur series is out in e-book, audible, and print versions.

Meanwhile I have been busy with "Salt of the Earth". The first two books, "Salt of the Earth" and the follow-up "Sea of Salt" are published. "Salt of the Earth" is slowly progressing in audible form and I hope it will be released later this year.

That's all old news. I'm just wrapping up edits on the third book in the Salt of the Earth" series, "Pandora's Box". This will be headed off to the publisher in July. I recently finished writing the fourth book in this series, "Viper". Now for the rather frustrating part of editing. Pray for my editor.

I'm still debating on my next adventure. The "Salt of the Earth" series has plenty of story left. Frankly its just opening a fascinating sci-fi universe. But I keep getting asked to write a sequel to "Project Lilliput". By next week I'll have to make a decision as final proofing of "Pandora's Box should be complete and I'll need to do something new 😉

06/01/2026

Just got the first three books of the Orion's Spur series put into a set. They are available in e-book, print and audiobook format as a set. The audiobook set is available on Books-A-Million, Apple, Barnes & Noble, and on sale this week on Chirp.

05/02/2026

It has been a busy winter. My wife and I haven’t been able to travel, which has given me more time to focus on writing.

First, Sea of Salt, the second book in the Salt of the Earth series, was released in April 2026. It’s available in e-book, paperback, and hardback formats at multiple retailers:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWSWVFC1
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/sea-of-salt/id6762133795
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/.../sea-of.../1149900754...
Google Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=9JHQEQAAQBAJ
Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ebook/sea-of-salt

The audiobook for Salt of the Earth is moving forward, albeit slowly. We have a phenomenal narrator—he previously voiced the entire Orion’s Spur series as well as Project Lilliput—but quality takes time.

The draft of Pandora’s Box has been complete for a while and is currently with the editors. I expect it to be published this fall. I’ll admit, the final editing process isn’t my favorite, but I’ll be diving back in once the line edits come through (and remind me just how much work my grammar still needs).

I’ve also decided to conclude the Salt of the Earth story arc with Viper. The draft is finished, though it hasn’t yet gone to editors. My goal is to have it released by the end of the year.

As for what’s next: I promised my biggest fan—and toughest critic, my wife—that I would write a sequel to Project Lilliput. The plan is to visit the Olympic Peninsula this summer, which will serve as the setting. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with Eric and the gang to see what trouble they get into next.

On the audio front, we’ve moved distribution from Audible to Chirp, Barnes & Noble, Apple, and other platforms. This gives me more flexibility in promoting the books. The Orion’s Spur series, in particular, has been very well received on Chirp. It’s a great alternative to Audible, offering authors more promotional freedom and listeners some excellent deals. Over the past two months alone, we’ve reached more than 7,000 listeners worldwide.

Thank you all for your continued support—it means more than you know.

04/16/2026

NEW RELEASE Sea of Salt — Best of Science Fiction

Great news! Sea of Salt, the latest science fiction novel from Next Chapter Publishing, is now available in ebook format on all major platforms, including Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Books, and Rakuten Kobo.

At a release price of $3.99, now is the perfect time to dive into this exciting new story.

If you haven’t yet read Salt of the Earth, you can grab both books together—an ideal way to experience the full scope of this gripping series.

About the Series

Salt of the Earth is a bold adult science fiction novel blending high-stakes adventure with deep intrigue. It explores the geopolitical and economic realities of asteroid mining, weaving together conspiracy, ambition, and the cost of power.

The story centers on a strained father-son relationship:

Marshall Salt, an ambitious and estranged son, seeks funding to launch a revolutionary space mining expedition.
Arthur Salt, his wealthy father, is drawn in by the promise of profit—but must navigate political pressure, economic resistance, and global intrigue.

For Marshall and his team, the mission is about more than wealth—but how far are they willing to go?

The Journey Continues: Sea of Salt

The sequel expands the stakes:

The cost of success—both personal and corporate
Fractured alliances and evolving relationships
The race to expand humanity into the Solar System
Ongoing conspiracies that threaten everything Marshall and Arthur have built

With rising tension and deeper complexity, Sea of Salt delivers a powerful continuation of the saga.

Fans of grounded, politically rich sci-fi—especially readers of The Expanse—will feel right at home in this universe.

Available at:

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWSWVFC1
APPLE BOOKS: https://books.apple.com/us/book/sea-of-salt/id6762133795
BARNES & NOBLE: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sea-of-salt-alan-d-hansen/1149900754?ean=2940182985826
GOOGLE BOOKS: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=9JHQEQAAQBAJ
RAKUTEN KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/ebook/sea-of-salt

The sea is no longer silent. The Arlo has completed its historic mission, delivering unimaginable riches to Salt Industries and saving Arthur Salt and his son Marshall from financial collapse. But wealth brings attention—and danger. Salt Industries stands at the center of a geopolitical storm. ...