Inside the World of 'Omega Force': Engineering Meets Science Fiction

The "Omega Force" series transports readers into a universe where a ragtag mercenary crew, some human and some not, pilot a barely spaceworthy vessel through a series of high-risk contracts, hoping for survival and maybe profit. Over 16 sci-fi adventures, the Phoenix is upgraded to a stealthier and speedier craft and the crew grows from a loose alliance to a family of sorts.

At the helm is author Joshua Dalzelle (’07), a former avionics engineer and Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University graduate. His love of flight brings a spirit of adventure to this popular series and a science based realism makes his second series, "Black Fleet," a standout.

Josh says he never expected to become a USA Today bestselling author. An Embry‑Riddle graduate with a background in avionics and engineering, he was well on his way to a conventional aerospace career. Yet today, instead of designing aircraft systems, he’s crafting intricate interstellar conflicts and spacefaring adventures that captivate readers around the world.

“I didn’t think there was any money in it,” he admits. “Writing was always going to be a hobby.” But his hobby turned into a full-time career, and a highly successful one at that. With multiple bestselling series and translations in several languages, Josh has earned a devoted readership that eagerly awaits each new release.

Early Years: A Passion for Aviation and Storytelling

Born and raised in a rural area east of Cincinnati, Josh’s early years were filled with two constants: a love for aviation and a passion for reading.

“I read a lot, and I think every writer was first a voracious reader,” he explains. Encouraged by teachers and his own curiosity, he dabbled in writing throughout his youth. However, a career in storytelling seemed unrealistic so he pursued aviation and joined the United States Air Force.

He served for four years as an avionics technician working on B-1B bombers, specifically the ECM, COM, and NAV systems. In a long, cold winter stationed in South Dakota, he began to draft what would become his first "Black Fleet" novel. He also earned an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Embry‑Riddle: A Launchpad for Unexpected Destinations

His aerospace career took him to Lockheed Martin’s Aircraft Center in Greenville, South Carolina, and then back to Cincinnati to work for L3 Communications, where he specialized in avionics and systems design. He also learned to fly, earning his single-engine certification, though he never pursued it professionally. His expertise in aircraft technology would later prove invaluable when writing his novels.

Josh found himself drawn to Embry‑Riddle’s Worldwide Campus and took classes near his home in Cincinnati. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics in 2007 and added a Masters of Aeronautical Science.

From Engineer to Indie Sci-Fi Sensation

Despite the demands of his engineering career, Josh continued to write in his spare time. In 2012, he completed his first novel, "Omega Rising," and explored the world of self-publishing through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) program.

“I had gone through lots of rejections, even had a publisher say, ‘We’re definitely going to do this,’ and then they ghosted me,” he recalls. Frustrated with traditional publishing, he took a chance on the independent route. It paid off. The first "Omega Force" book found an audience almost immediately. By the end of 2013, he was earning nearly as much from writing as he was from his engineering job.

“The money was getting to the point where I had to make a decision,” he says. “Do I take a chance and devote all my time to this, or do I keep it as a hobby?”

In 2014, Josh took the leap into full-time writing. It turned out to be the right call — his books continued climbing the charts. In 2015, "Warship" (the first book in his "Black Fleet" trilogy) became a USA Today bestseller.

The Science Behind the Fiction: Aerospace Meets Sci-Fi

Josh’s aerospace background refines his world-building. While his whiteboard is now filled with story beats per act instead of engineering equations, the analytical mindset and critical thinking he developed as an engineer are evident in his narratives, ensuring they hold up to scrutiny from a technically savvy audience. His hands-on experience with aircraft, flight dynamics, and avionics inform the accuracy of his writing. His deep knowledge of aerodynamics and spacecraft movement enables him to sidestep common sci-fi pitfalls.

“Science fiction readers are smart,” he says. “You have to have a foundational base of knowledge. Understanding how orbits work and how spacecraft maneuver—if you get those details right, people who know this stuff appreciate it.”

One of the biggest issues he sees in sci-fi writing? Hollywood-inspired space physics.

“You can tell when someone’s basing their world-building on Star Wars and Star Trek,” he notes. “Spaceships don’t make noise. They don’t bank like fighter jets in an atmosphere.” By keeping his work informed by real physics, Josh earns credibility with critics and readers while making his imagined universe immersive.

That attention to realism, combined with relentless pacing and sharp storytelling, has made his books a staple of the military sci-fi genre. His three series — "Omega Force," "Black Fleet" and "Terran Scout Fleet" — have collectively sold millions of copies, and his work has been translated into German, Japanese and Czech.

From Page to Screen: The Future of 'Omega Force'

As his fan base grows, so do his opportunities. "Omega Force" is in development as a film and there are discussions of an accompanying video game.

Josh is working closely with the team to ensure the adaptation stays true to his vision and satisfies the loyal readers who have come to know and love Jason, Twingo, Lucky and Crusher.

“I had no idea it was going to take off,” he says of his first book. “But watching the scriptwriter add elements and seeing the world come to life in a new way has been fascinating.”

Advice for Aspiring Writers

His advice to those with creative ambitions is direct: Keep writing.

“The main thing is just to write a lot,” he says. “You’ll develop your voice, your style.”

He also benefits from reading widely, from military, sci-fi and fantasy classics to current works by John Ringo and Brandon Sanderson. (Although he also admits some pop culture influences such as the ‘80s TV show "The A-Team" and the DC Comics-based movie "The Losers.")

A Satisfying Plot Twist

With more books and new projects on the horizon, Josh shows no sign of slowing down. “I really couldn’t imagine doing anything else now,” he says. “I’m having too much fun.”

His journey is proof that an Embry‑Riddle degree can lead to unexpected places, whether in the cockpit, on the engineering floor, or at DragonCon, one of the country’s largest fantasy/sci-fi conventions. From military avionics to indie publishing success, Joshua Dalzelle’s career is an adventure story in itself, complete with a best kind of plot twist: surprising but well-earned.