In today’s post I would like to show you the cover art for the first novel of the AlCent Sagas series, which is set in the same time and location as Seed of Aldebaran. This is the great ship ISS Malabar, a combination heavy freighter and luxury passenger liner that operates between the planetary systems of the stars Alpha Centauri A and B. (The two stars actually orbit each other in a true binary star system.) Much of the action in the story takes place here so it was a natural subject for cover art. In the story the components were designed and built in the Indian Zone of Alpha Centauri A2 and the final assembly took place at the International Space Station Pressure Dock which orbits Alpha Centauri A2.
These two drawings are the ones I gave to my cover artist Wojtek Kapusta. There is lots of detail, but there is also much to be desired in the way of proportion, etc. You can see more of his work here – https://www.artstation.com/kapucha76 .
In these images you can see the progression of details once the general shape and size has been established. I am amazed at the level of realism he is able to achieve. You can even see the large atrium that separates the two hotel like halves of the passenger accommodations.
The Malabar was built to accommodate the valuable varysium ore traffic between the two systems and is the pride of the Indian colonists on AlCent A2. The two tanks hold hydrogen slush that power three plasma fusion engines. A constant acceleration of 1G gives a comfortable sense of gravity during long voyages. She decelerates at the same speed so that local down is always toward the engines.
Novels by James Crawford –
Mariner Valley – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0141N9UXO
Seed of Aldebaran – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SHXTRMP
AlCent Sagas Book One: Formation – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQ5C3TQT
AlCent Sagas Book Two: Revelation – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2FRH6Q8
AlCent Sagas Book Three: Investigation – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D5SBFYMW
AlCent Sagas Book Four: Desperation – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8767LHL
AlCent Sagas Book Five: Confrontation – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9PPTX6G
A Noble Paradise – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QG6LZ10
Cover artist Wojtek Kapusta – https://www.artstation.com/kapucha76
Audible narrator Lyle Blaker – https://www.acx.com/narrator?p=AXZPXFQRN07M3
james crawford 
Finished Alcent 1. When does 2 come out? 🙂 The pics here will help a lot with creating a 3D printable ship. What size(s) are you considering?
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Hi, William! I’m glad you enjoyed AlCent Sagas Book 1: Formation! I am currently putting it in book form and adding all the final touches. It should be ready by early next month. (Currently I am finishing up with the “Seed of Aldebaran” audio book. I’m very excited about that, too!)
I’m sorry it took so long to get back with you. After traveling back from the conference, I’ve been working hard to catch up on my work. But I’m caught up now and am ready to press forward!
I’m excited to hear that you’ve been working on a 3D model for the Malabar, which is the ship shown on the cover of AlCent Sagas 1. I was thinking of smaller models, perhaps a few inches long, that I could have on my table for sale. Please feel free to email me at authorjamescrawford@gmail.com so we can discuss costs, etc.
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Hi, William! I hope you are well. I wanted to thank you again for the 3D model of the Malabar. So far I’ve been using it to describe to people I meet at the cons how the ship creates artificial gravity by using constant acceleration at 1G. (Something you never see in Hollywood.)
I had an idea I wanted to talk with you about. Maybe I can pay you for developing the various ships, and then pay you for each model at a price that will allow me to sell them more readily. I think people will be more interested in buying them once I establish myself as a science fiction author. By the way, have you read the entire series yet? I hope you liked it! Let me know, please. Thanks! – James
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Sounds good. When does Book 3 come out? If you give me a sketch and descripti
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William,
I had a thought. Instead of you doing all the design work for the various vessels for free, and then making up your cost in my purchases, what if I could pay you to develop them directly. Then perhaps my cost for each one might be less and I could sell more of them at a reduced price. Let me know what you think. I know you work in your spare time, but I think your work is valuable.
I’m sorry I took so long to get back with you about this, but the hurricane damage really set me back in my work. Let me know.
Thanks, James
P.S. – Will you be going to MarsCon again this year? I hope to see you there! – JC
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Not going to Marscon this year. Last year was a special occasion.
I was just considering your idea, since that would remove postage as a cost. How many more ships are there?
Finished book 3 and have books 4 and 5 on my Kindle. Just starting book 4.
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I can think of 5 vessels that would make good 3D models. All of them are featured as cover art on the various novels. Contact me on my Gmail account and we can look into it further – authorjamescrawford@gmail.com .
I’m glad you are still enjoying the series. The tension really ramps up in books 4+5. Let me know what you think, and please remember to leave reviews! Thanks!
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