Minimum Safe Distance
by X. Ho Yen
Rights Sold
Description
Awards & Endorsements
Author(s)
X. Ho Yen
Related Titles
| Publisher | Richard Hogen Publishing |
| Publication | Oct 20, 2022 |
| Format | EBook |
| ISBN | B0BJZC9XRB |
| Pages | 400 |
| Age | 18 - 99 |
| Price | $3.99 |
Minimum Safe Distance
- WINNER, 1st Place, Literary Fiction, Intl Firebird Book Awards Q3 2025
- FINALIST, Colorado Authors League Book Awards 2024
- FINALIST, The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2023
- Good Kirkus review with "Get It" verdict
See XHoYenAuthor.com/lauds for the full list of MSD's lauds
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They Came. They Didn't Invade. We Did the Rest.
A hard sci-fi exploration of transhumanism, sentience, and the biological traps that shape collective failure — perfect for fans of Delta-V, The Expanse, and Don’t Look Up.
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First contact was nothing like we imagined.
Can the aliens save Earth? Should they?
With the Earth teetering on recovery from humanity's 21st century mistakes, two highly advanced aliens observing from the Moon are suddenly on opposite sides of an ethical battle over a dire cosmic threat.
As governments seek to destroy them, the aliens wrestle and scheme, entangling all of humanity as they influence and empower specific humans to achieve their contrary objectives.
Among them are a brilliant AI expert who has channeled her autism in the service of science, and a violent, anti-secular zealot who hates everything she stands for.
Drawn into the conflict, Laurence and Matt must reach minimum safe distance from human nature itself – their own, the rest of humanity's, and of the former-human, techno-demon ‘monstas'.
Chased into the ruins of the US, they struggle to distill the meaning of personhood, discover the value of their own lives, and in so doing decide the fate of the solar system.
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See XHoYenAuthor.com/msd.
ISBNs:
Paperback 978-0-9766158-1-1
Hard cover 978-0-9766158-2-8
eBook 978-0-9766158-4-2
Audiobook 978-0-9766158-3-5
Reviews, Awards & Endorsements
Also the book page: XHoYenAuthor.com/msd
“A thought-provoking novel packed with complex, compelling characters, valuable philosophical insights, and remarkable attention to detail.” — Dan C., Attorney
“I really enjoyed MSD... Amazing for a first novel.” — Rupert, technology director, international traveler
“The manuscript is too strong to receive across-the-board rejections.” — actual industry professional with no stake in this
“An engrossing read with unusual characters. If I had purchased the book, I would be happy that I did.” — Brad H., PhD, Applied Mathematics/Astrophysics, special guest reader
Author
X. Ho Yen
X. Ho Yen is an autistic, mixed genetics aerospace engineer (~30 yrs) who now writes inclusive, irreverent, hopepunk, literary sci fi. He does not write tropey sci fi.
His pen name is essentially his Cantonese grandfather's name. Genetically, he is half East Prussian, quarter Cuban, quarter Chinese.
Full list of Lauds with links: XHoYenAuthor.com/lauds
X. in the Colorado Sun, Sunlit, 29 Dec 2024 (following MSD’s getting a Finalist laud in CAL’s 2024 Book Awards)
X.’s interview on KUNC public radio’s “In the NoCo”
X.’s interview on ALLi/Howard Lovy’s Inspirational Indie Authors Podcast
Both of his released novels ("Minimum Safe Distance" and "Custodians of the Future") are carried in Arapahoe Library System, Biblioboard, and CO State Library Book Club Resource.
CotF is the stylistic opposite of MSD. X. Ho Yen is not a one trick pony. He's always working to improve and have creative fun with novel structure.
Third book (10-12+)