The universe in the future were governed by several evil empires (called corporations) and many smaller independent entities similar to city states. The protagonists were very skilled and capable people that flew around galaxy like gun slingers of the western movies.
The afterword by Randolph Lalonde, the author, told an interesting journey. He was a support person for a company (answer the phone for a New York cable company) that wanted to become an author. He self-printed Spinward Fringe and offered it to his colleagues at work, in exchange for critics and thoughts. They liked it and he published it on eBook format (MobiPocket).
Spinward is a series of shorter stories structured like a TV series episodes. They are best read together, but were meant to stand on their own individually, more or less. The first three episodes are like a mini-series and they became what Randolph Lanlonde called the Broadcast 0; confusingly also understood as the First Light Trilogy, since there are three stories there. So far, the series has 8 books.
Book 1 (Broadcast 0) is a free eBook: a growing trend among new writers that aimed at mass market. I am very fond of this marketing technique and was willingly hooked to buy Book 2/3 together. To my disappointment, somewhat, the Book 2/3 actually began a new story (and really are one integral unit, instead of two books). Broadcast 0, the Origins, was the prequel. That said, both were quite enjoyable and the eBooks prices are very affordable.
And I chose not to continue the Broadcasts. They are very entertaining and imaginary, but not thought provocative. After 3 books, I felt Randolf was running out of creativity. Obviously, many fans disagreed with me. He has become a best-seller author. Yet another eBook success story.