When the chance was offered to write a novel set in the Foundation universe, even with the generous support of Janet Asimov and Isaac's agent, Ralph Vicinanza, I was understandably reluctant. Lightning almost never strikes twice . But the offer was impossible to pass up. Isaac's biggest influence, for me, came from the Robot novels, which he had integrated into Foundation . Like most science fiction readers, the image of Trantor, a world covered with steel and aluminum, lingered .There were larger issues of predestination and freedom in his books that he had not had time to touch upon.
Science fiction is a continuing dialog of ideas, one generation to the next.
Gregory Benford and David Brin had agreed to do the first and last of this new trilogy. Both are good friends, excellent writers. If I were going to work in a master's most famous world, I would never have a better opportunity. I have lived with Isaac for a year now. Walk a mile in another man's style, put on the masks of his characters, and I think you get to know him quite intimately.