Theodore A. Adams III is a pilot, engineer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, award-winning screenwriter, producer, and director. He owns several companies and currently chairs multiple nonprofit charitable organizations. His passions for science, art, music, and history make him a true Renaissance Man.

A rocket scientist, he earned a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Rice University and an MBA from UCLA. He also completed post-graduate studies at the Yale-China Program at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and is a graduate of Harvard Business School. 

Q: The Man Who Owned a Plane has been described as a philosophical allegory. What inspired you to write this story?

A: The inspiration came from reflecting on what we truly inherit from those who came before us. After experiencing loss in my own life, I began to think deeply about how we often focus on material inheritance rather than the wisdom, values, and perspectives that are passed down. As a pilot myself, the plane became a natural metaphor for exploring these ideas—something tangible that represents something far more profound. I wanted to create a story that would help readers navigate their own journeys through grief and discover the more meaningful inheritances we all receive.

Q: The book has been compared to works like The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. Were these influences for you?

A: I’ve certainly been influenced by philosophical allegories throughout my life. What I admire about books like The Alchemist and Jonathan Livingston Seagull is their ability to convey profound wisdom through accessible storytelling. While I didn’t set out to emulate any particular work, I did want to create something that could sit comfortably on that same shelf—stories that use simple narratives to explore complex human experiences. I believe there’s a timeless quality to allegories that allows readers to discover personal meaning regardless of their age, background, or life circumstances.

Q: You have a fascinating background as a pilot, engineer, entrepreneur, and now author. How have these different aspects of your life influenced the book?

A: Each of these experiences has shaped my perspective in unique ways. As an engineer, I’m trained to solve problems methodically, but as a pilot, I’ve learned to appreciate the vastness of the world from thirty thousand feet above—literally seeing the bigger picture. Entrepreneurship has taught me about risk, perseverance, and the value of vision. All of these elements converge in the book. The narrator’s journey reflects my own evolving understanding that our greatest achievements aren’t necessarily the tangible things we build or acquire, but rather how we learn to see ourselves and our place in the world. The book is, in many ways, a distillation of lessons learned across these different domains of my life.

Q: The illustrations by Giorgio Bacchin are stunning. Can you talk about your collaboration process?

A: Working with Giorgio was truly remarkable. I shared my vision for the book, but I also wanted him to bring his own artistic interpretation to the story. In our acknowledgments, I mention how Giorgio not only saw my vision but also used his knowledge of classical literature and philosophy to give each illustration profound meaning. We would have these wonderful conversations about the symbolism in each scene—the significance of the clouds, the positioning of the characters, the lighting. Giorgio has this extraordinary ability to capture emotion and philosophical concepts visually. There were moments when I saw his illustrations and discovered new layers of meaning in my own story.

Q: The book seems perfectly timed for a world where many people are reevaluating what’s important in life. Was this intentional?

A: While I didn’t write it specifically for our current moment, I do believe there’s a growing hunger for meaning and authenticity in our increasingly complex world. Many people are questioning traditional markers of success and looking for deeper fulfillment. The book explores what it means to truly “own” your life rather than simply accumulating possessions or status. I hope it offers readers a moment to reflect on what they’re pursuing and why. Sometimes the most important journeys are the ones we take within ourselves.

Q: What do you hope readers take away from The Man Who Owned a Plane?

A: More than anything, I hope readers pause to consider what their own “plane” might be—what gives them the ability to soar in their own unique way. I hope they reflect on the intangible gifts they’ve received from mentors, parents, teachers, and friends. For those experiencing loss or navigating through dark valleys of grief, I hope this story offers a gentle reminder that even in absence, those we’ve loved continue to fuel our journey. When we lose someone dear to us, we often focus on the empty space they’ve left behind, but in time, we begin to recognize how they’ve shaped our wings—through their wisdom, their love, and even their struggles. Their soul’s journey becomes part of our own navigation system. In those moments when the skies seem too vast and empty to traverse alone, my deepest wish is that readers find comfort in knowing that they carry within them everything they need to continue their flight, including the precious essence of those who soared before them.

Q: The book is being positioned as a gift item, particularly for graduations, retirements, and those experiencing life transitions. Why do you think it resonates with people at these pivotal moments?

A: Life transitions are when we’re most open to new perspectives. Whether it’s a graduation, retirement, career change, or processing grief, these are moments when we’re naturally reflective and receptive to wisdom. The story works on multiple levels—it can be read as a simple, touching narrative, but it also invites deeper contemplation about how we define success, happiness, and purpose. I’ve found that readers bring their own experiences to the book and find different meanings depending on where they are in their own journey. That’s the beauty of allegory—it meets you where you are.

Q: You’re described as a Renaissance man, with your interests spanning science, art, music, and history. How does this broad perspective inform your writing?

A: I believe that creativity thrives at the intersection of different disciplines. My interest in diverse fields has helped me see the connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. In The Man Who Owned a Plane, I wanted to bridge the analytical and the emotional, the tangible and the spiritual. The Renaissance ideal is about developing yourself fully as a human being—not just professionally or intellectually, but emotionally and spiritually as well. That’s ultimately what the book explores: what it means to live a full and meaningful life, one that embraces both the practical reality of our everyday existence and the transcendent possibilities of human experience.

Q: What was the most challenging aspect of creating this book?

A: The greatest challenge was achieving simplicity without sacrificing depth. I wanted to create something that could be read in one sitting but contemplated for a lifetime. Finding that balance required numerous revisions and a willingness to distill complex ideas into their essence.

I was also conscious of avoiding being prescriptive. I wanted to pose questions rather than impose answers, to create a story that invites readers to discover their own meaning rather than telling them what to think. That’s a delicate balance. I hope readers feel the story respects their intelligence and leaves room for their own interpretation.

Q: Your background includes chairing multiple nonprofit charitable organizations. Has this philanthropic work influenced your approach to writing?

A: Absolutely. My philanthropic work has consistently reinforced that our greatest impact often comes through sharing wisdom, creating opportunities, and inspiring others rather than merely providing material resources. In the nonprofit world, I’ve seen how empowerment and perspective-shifting can create more sustainable change than temporary solutions. This philosophy permeates the book in the idea that the most valuable things we can share aren’t necessarily tangible. The story invites readers to consider how they might “share their plane” with others, not by giving people things, but by helping them discover their own capacity to soar.

Q: As an author, what tips would you give anyone who wants to get into writing?

A: My most important advice echoes something Stan Lee used to say: “Tell me a story and make me care.” I’m a firm believer in character-driven storytelling rather than plot-driven narratives. You can have the most elaborate plot in the world, but if readers don’t connect emotionally with your characters, none of it matters.

Start with characters who feel real to you—give them authentic emotions, genuine struggles, and relatable motivations. When you truly understand your characters’ hearts, their actions will drive your story naturally. Focus on creating characters who breathe, who have flaws and hopes, and readers will follow you anywhere if you first make them care about the people taking the journey.

The Man Who Owned a Plane unfolds through a simple conversation between two friends. I hope readers feel deeply invested in both characters.

Q: Was your main character modeled after anyone in your life?

A: Not really, but in a way, it’s me having a conversation with myself.

Q: What is your favorite part of the writing process?

A: My favorite part isn’t actually during the writing itself—it’s what happens after. I can draft a character and give them everything I can, but the real magic begins when readers encounter them. There’s this incredible moment when I see people take ownership of the character and start debating about their motivations, their choices, their meaning. That’s when I know the character has truly come alive—when it’s no longer just my creation, but something that exists independently in readers’ minds and hearts. It’s like watching your child grow up and become their own person. The character takes on its own life, and readers bring their own experiences and interpretations that I never could have imagined. That’s when writing becomes truly worthwhile.

Q: Do you believe that being a “good writer” is a developed skill or a natural talent?

A: I honestly don’t know. Writing can be like any other skill, where you can learn to become better through practice and dedication. But like a musician, there could be some natural talent involved as well. Either way, it takes work to become better. I think some people might have an innate sense of rhythm, voice, or storytelling, just like some people are naturally drawn to music or mathematics. But even the most naturally gifted writer needs to develop their craft, learn the fundamentals, and put in countless hours of practice.

The beautiful thing about writing is that passion and persistence can often overcome any perceived lack of natural ability. I’ve seen dedicated writers transform their work dramatically through commitment to improvement.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote from a book, poem, TV, or movie?

A: I don’t have a particular favorite, but it depends on my mood. The poem “If—” by Rudyard Kipling is one that resonates with me right now.

Q: Would you write another book (or are you already writing another book)?

A: Yes, I am currently writing three books. One is fiction, similar to this book; the second is a children’s book; and the third is a business-related book.

Q: Is there an author you look up to, and why?

A: There’s no one particular author I look up to because I don’t know them personally; I can only connect with the work they’ve created. What I admire is writing that resonates with me, stories that create characters so real, they take on their own life in my mind. It’s not about the authors themselves, but about their ability to craft something that speaks to readers across time and circumstance. When a writer creates characters or ideas that continue to live and breathe long after you’ve closed the book, that’s what makes their work special to me. I look up to that kind of writing, wherever I find it.

Q: If there were an apocalypse and you could only take five books into your doomsday bunker, what would they be?

A: The Bible, The Odyssey by Homer, The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere by John Wiseman, and Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom: Essential Techniques and Recipes from a Lifetime of Cooking by Julia Child.

Theodore A. Adams III is available for interviews, speaking engagements, and book signing events in conjunction with the August 19, 2025, release of The Man Who Owned a Plane. For scheduling and additional information, please contact Ballast Books at sarah@ballastbooks.com.