While his contemporaries were buying real estate, Sawyer invested in himself. He wrote Golden Fleece , and sent it to a New York literary agent , who quickly sold the book to Warner Books. And there didn't seem to be any downside to publishing in New York, because the books would still be distributed in Canada. Writing is just about the only field where if you make it in New York, you don't necessarily gain acceptance back in Canada. Instead, you're looked as someone who's done something tawdry and disreputable.
Golden Fleece is a murder mystery set on a starship.
It is a very accomplished first novel, skillfully blending hard scientific speculation about interstellar travel and artificial intelligence with interesting and effective characterization. When he first started writing, he believed that scientific speculation alone was enough to carry a story. He credits Toronto SF author Terence M. Green for pointing out his need to work on characterization and thematic development. Golden Fleece demonstrated that he had learned those lessons well. Most authors, having written and sold their books, are content to leave the rest to the publisher.