AFTERWORD
My fascination with UFOs began in my early teens when I first read the work of Dr. J. Allen Hynek (May 1, 1910 – April 27, 1986)—a renowned American astronomer, professor, and, ultimately, the world’s foremost expert on unidentified flying objects. As a scientific advisor to the U.S. Air Force, Hynek played a central role in three government-sponsored investigations into the UFO phenomenon: Project Sign, Project Grudge, and the now-famous Project Blue Book.
Later in life, Hynek continued his research independently and developed the “Close Encounter” classification system, which remains the standard for categorizing human-alien interactions. His work not only shaped scientific discourse but also inspired popular culture—most notably serving as the scientific foundation for Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking 1977 film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind. (Hynek even makes a cameo in the film—bearded and pipe in hand—as he steps forward to witness the awe-inspiring moment of first contact.)
Like so many others, I was captivated by Close Encounters as well as Robert Zemeckis’ 1997 movie, Contact. (screenplay adapted from the book by Carl Sagan) These two classics sparked my imagination and planted a seed that, over 4 decades later, would grow into this novel. While We Were NEVER Alone is an entirely original work—its concept, plot, backstories, characters, relationships, and events all my own—it was undeniably shaped by the same emotional DNA found in these two movies: a sense of wonder, mystery, and hope. Fans familiar with Close Encounters may even notice a few subtle homages to Spielberg’s masterful storytelling. These are offered with deep admiration and are not intended to mirror or infringe upon the film’s intellectual property.
Equally important, that early inspiration led me to ask deeper questions. What if contact wasn’t just about sightings or signals, but about purpose? What if humanity had been quietly guided for millennia by advanced, benevolent beings—not as conquerors, but as caretakers?
This is not a tale of third-kind contact. It is a story of Close Encounters of the Seventh Kind—an idea rooted not in science fiction, but in science probability. The theory suggests that extraterrestrial intelligence may have subtly influenced the environmental and biological development of our species since ancient times. Across the globe, we find hundreds of enigmatic, impossible-to-explain ruins and artifacts that more than hint at such a possibility.
In that spirit of curiosity and discovery, I also want to acknowledge the tremendous work of the SETI Institute—an organization whose real-world efforts to explore the possibility of intelligent life beyond Earth have inspired generations of scientists, thinkers, and storytellers.
Their dedication to evidence-based exploration and scientific openness plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of what may lie beyond our world. You can learn more about this dedicated organization of international scientists at www.seti.org.
Last but not least, I want to thank Bill Diamond, the President and CEO of the SETI Institute, for his kindness, encouragement, and generosity in writing the Foreword for my book. Thank you, Bill.
Could it be that such beings have quietly nudged us forward at critical moments, shielded us from catastrophe, or shaped our evolution in ways we are only now beginning to understand?
Is this possible? . . . Or might it even be… probable?