Ash Bishop’s Intergalactic Waste Management, LLC is a witty, blue-collar space adventure that blends murder mystery, found family, and cosmic corporate intrigue—making it a must-read for fans of character-driven, humorous space sci-fi.

If you’re searching for your next space sci-fi obsession, look no further than Intergalactic Waste Management, LLC by Ash Bishop—a novel that’s as hilarious as it is heartfelt, and as inventive as it is relevant. This fresh release (CamCat Books, December 2025) is the second entry in Bishop’s Intergalactic Archives series, but it stands tall on its own as a rollicking, genre-blending adventure that’s already winning over fans of Douglas Adams, Becky Chambers, and John Scalzi.

Blue-Collar Heroes in the Final Frontier

Forget starship captains and galactic emperors—Bishop’s universe is run by the underdogs. Russ Wesley, a former Intergalactic Exterminator, signs up for what he hopes will be a cushy gig with Intergalactic Waste Management, LLC. Alongside his loyal crew—Nina Hosseinzadeh and their sentient robot friend, Steven Applebum—Russ is tasked with cleaning up the galaxy’s messes, one piece of space debris at a time. But when a dead body turns up in the wreckage, the team is thrust into a murder mystery that spirals into a web of corporate conspiracy, criminal syndicates, and a fight for the very soul of artificial life.

Bishop’s world is a vibrant, lived-in cosmos where the real heroes are the ones mopping up after the grand adventures. The setting—a salvage ship navigating the lawless Darkzone—offers a gritty, blue-collar perspective that’s both refreshing and deeply relatable.

The eclectic cover art for Ash Bishop's latest thrilling read. Image credit: Camcatbooks.com

A Wild Collision of Humour and Heart

Intergalactic Waste Management, LLC conveys a witty and engaging tone. The book is a “wild collision of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett,” according to Jonathan Maberry, who calls it

“a thrilling and hilarious romp through space and time”.

The humour is sharp, the dialogue sparkles, and the sense of fun infuses every line—a sentiment echoed by Russ Nickel, lead writer for Helldivers 2.

Yet, beneath the laughs, Bishop weaves in genuine emotional stakes. The found family dynamic between Russ, Nina, and Applebum is the beating heart of the story. Their loyalty is tested at every turn, and their journey is as much about survival as it is about what it means to be alive—especially for Applebum, whose sentience raises big questions about AI rights and identity.

Genre-Bending Adventure with a Social Conscience

Bishop’s novel is a masterclass in genre-blending. It’s part space opera, part detective noir, part workplace comedy, and all heart. The murder mystery at its core is satisfyingly twisty, while the corporate satire and blue-collar grit ground the story in real-world relevance. The book’s exploration of waste management in space isn’t just a clever backdrop—it’s a lens for examining resource scarcity, environmental ethics, and the hidden labour that keeps the galaxy running.

This focus on the overlooked and undervalued is what makes the book so timely. In an era where space sci-fi is increasingly interested in the lives of ordinary workers, Bishop’s story feels both classic and cutting-edge.

Critical and Reader Acclaim

Intergalactic Waste Management, LLC is already earning rave reviews from both critics and readers. With an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, fans praise its humour, imaginative world-building, and the warmth of its character dynamics.

“A sense of fun infuses every line,”

says Russ Nickel, while readers highlight the book’s “grounded absurdity” and “witty, action-packed world”.

Of course, no book is without its critics. Some readers note that the pacing can be slow in places, especially for those craving non-stop action . But for most, the blend of comedy, adventure, and social commentary more than makes up for any narrative lulls.

Meet the Author: Ash Bishop

Ash Bishop is no stranger to genre-bending storytelling. With an MFA in Creative Writing and a background spanning education, video games, and Hollywood, Bishop brings a unique voice to contemporary space sci-fi. His previous novel, Intergalactic Exterminators, Inc., won the 2023 Audie Award for Best Science Fiction Audiobook, and his work is celebrated for its humour, heart, and inventive world-building.

Bishop’s influences—ranging from Philip K. Dick to John Scalzi—shine through in his commitment to character-driven stories that don’t shy away from big ideas or big laughs.

Why This Book Matters for Space Sci-Fi Fans

Intergalactic Waste Management, LLC is more than just a fun read—it’s a smart, timely, and deeply human story that captures the spirit of modern space sci-fi. If you love tales of found family, underdog heroes, and cosmic mysteries with a comedic twist, this is the book for you.

Ready to join the clean-up crew? Grab your copy from Amazon, or CamCat Books, and let us know what you think!

“Someone’s got to clean up the cosmos. It might as well be them.” — Intergalactic Management, LLC

For more space sci-fi reviews, recommendations, and the latest in interstellar storytelling, keep exploring Scinexic.com!