Alan Black Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Alan Black

For most readers, the absolute best entry point into Alan Black’s bibliography is his hit military science fiction space opera, Metal Boxes (2013). This novel serves as his signature work, blending high-stakes space exploration, witty dialogue, and coming-of-age themes that define his writing style. If you prefer historical fiction grounded in real-world human struggles, start instead with The Friendship Stones (2013), which kicks off his six-part historical drama set in the 1920s Ozarks.

The Metal Boxes Series

This is Black's crown jewel. The series follows the life and career of Blackmon Perry Stone, a fifteen-year-old recruit navigating the hazards of the Empire's navy. The books are best read in their strict publication order, as they follow a continuous narrative arc. Alan Black famously described his writing process for this series as that of a "pantser"—writing without a pre-planned outline and placing his characters in increasingly difficult situations to see how they would escape.

Metal Boxes Series in Publication Order

• Metal Boxes (2013) – Introduces Blackmon Perry Stone as he is thrust into the gritty reality of the space navy.
• Trapped Outside (2015) – Stone faces new survival challenges outside the safety of his military vessel.
• Rusty Hinges (2016) – Follows the crew as they deal with aging hulls, corporate conspiracies, and new alien alliances.
• At the Edge (2016) – The crew travels to the outer reaches of the galaxy, testing the limits of navy endurance.

The Ozark Mountain Series

Co-authored with Bernice Knight, this historical fiction series represents a complete shift in tone from Black's space operas. The stories are heavily based on the real-world childhood memories of Knight, who wanted to preserve her history while fictionalizing sensitive events. Set in the 1920s and 1925, the series is divided into two distinct trilogies and should be read chronologically by publication order.

Ozark Mountain Books in Publication Order

1. The Friendship Stones (2013) – Set in 1920, introducing young LillieBeth Hazkit as she seeks to make friends in a tight-knit mountain community.
2. The Granite Heart (2014) – Continues LillieBeth’s story as family secrets and local tensions rise.
3. The Heaviest Rock (2014) – Concludes the first trilogy, dealing with the weight of hard choices in the hills.
4. The Inconvenient Pebble (2015) – Starts the second trilogy, moving forward to 1925 with new local conflicts.
5. The Jasper's Courage (2015) – Focuses on resilience and community survival in the face of rapid societal changes.
6. The King's Rock (2015) – Concludes the Ozark Mountain saga.

Standalone Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels

Aside from his major series, Alan Black was a prolific creator of standalone speculative fiction. His standalones are highly accessible and can be read in any order. Notably, Chewing Rocks (2009) features Chastity Snowden Whyte (often called "Sno"), a tough asteroid miner caught in corporate plots. (Note: Some early publisher listings and fan discussions mistakenly refer to this book's draft stage or concept as Chasing Harlie, but the published novel is titled Chewing Rocks). Meanwhile, Chasing Harpo is a comedic thriller centering around a zoo orangutan on the run.

Standalone Novels in Publication Order

• Steel Walls and Dirt Drops (2009) – A military sci-fi novel following Captain Hamisha Ann McPherson in her first major command.
• Chewing Rocks (2009) – A gritty space opera about space miner Chastity Snowden Whyte.
• Chasing Harpo (2013) – A fast-paced, humorous thriller involving a runaway orangutan.
• Titanium Texicans (2014) – A space opera with a distinct Western flair.
• Empty Space (2015) – A darker, character-driven military sci-fi story featuring York August Sixteen.
• Larry Goes To Space (2016) – A sci-fi comedy about a Kansas farmer who goes on a journey with extraterrestrials.
• Quest for the White Wind (2016) – A rare epic fantasy foray focusing on Captain Tanden and his stolen ship, the White Wind.
• A Planet with No Name (2019) – A posthumous science fiction Western, completed and brought to print by his wife and editor, DuAnn Black (D. E. Black).

Non-Fiction and Short Stories

For aspiring writers, Black shared his knowledge of self-publishing and the creative process in his guide How to Start, Write, and Finish Your First Novel (2015). He also penned a holiday-themed historical short story titled A Cold Winter (2014), which offers a quick, emotional read.