Today’s the day! SELFIES FROM MARS: THE TRUE STORY OF MARS ROVER OPPORTUNITY is out in the world. It truly feels like a miracle every time a new book comes out. I also finally have an author newsletter, and you get two free short stories when you sign up!
Bringing a nonfiction book into the world was a complicated, wonderful learning experience. There were image credits and song lyrics rights to consider. Many facts to check and double-check. Even the type of paper to use for the print copies proved to be a new challenge to tackle. So many hours went into the design of this book, but I’m so thrilled with how it came out.
In addition to the main narrative for rover Opportunity (with some rover Spirit in there, too), there are so many facts and figures to discover in Selfies From Mars. I can’t wait for young readers to meet little Oppy and read the Fact Files.
I know this is a nonfiction book, but the ending makes me so emotional every time! After all, it was the emotional end of Opportunity’s incredible mission that inspired me to go into a deep dive on this rover and become enamored by it.
Who can forget the poetic interpretation of Opportunity’s last message to Earth? “My battery is low and it’s getting dark.” Or that the rover’s team played a love song, Billie Holiday’s version of “I’ll Be Seeing You,” as a goodbye? Pay particular attention to the last few lines (or read the book to see which lyrics I’m talking about!).
SELFIES FROM MARS blurb:
From evidence of water to stunning images,
Mars rover Opportunity allowed humans to
experience the Red Planet as never before.
Ride along on the 15-year mission
that captured hearts a world away!
Available from Bookshop.org, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, or Book Depository (for international folks). Coming soon signed copies from Katie’s bookstore.
Congrats! Opportunity was such a cool rover. It did so much!
Thanks! I just fell in love with Opportunity’s story. This mission really paved the way for what’s happening on Mars now and in the future.