The epic sequel to Chuck Wendig's apocalyptic literary masterpiece WANDERERS. HOW DO YOU SURVIVE THE END OF THE WORLD? Five years ago, a group of ordinary Americans fell under the grip of a strange new malady that caused them to sleepwalk across the country. They were followed on their quest by the shepherds: friends and family who gave up everything to protect them. Their destination, Ouray, became one of the last outposts of civilization, because the sleepwalking epidemic was only the first in a chain of events that led to the end of the world - and the birth of a new one. But the people of Ouray are not the only survivors, and their new world is fragile. Forces of cruelty and brutality are amassing under the leadership of self-proclaimed president Ed Creel. And in the very heart of Ouray, the most powerful survivor of all is plotting its own vision for the new world: Black Swan, the A.I. who imagined the apocalypse. Against these threats, they have only one hope: one another. Because the only way to survive the end of the world is together. 'As great as Wanderers was, Wayward is better . . . Combines grim extrapolation, great characters, and hope.' Christopher Golden 'Salient, masterful, this is an author at the top of his game.' Adam Christopher 'IMAX-scale bleeding-edge techno-horror from a writer with a freshly sharpened scalpel.' Kirkus
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Speculative fiction that blends apocalyptic survival, supernatural horror, and urban fantasy has reached millions of readers through works like the epic disaster novel Wanderers. Written by Chuck Wendig, this sprawling story of a mysterious sleepwalking epidemic established his reputation for crafting high-stakes thrillers with intricate cast ensembles. As a New York Times bestselling author of more than two dozen books for adults and young adults, Wendig has created acclaimed novels including The Book of Accidents, Wayward, Black River Orchard, and Zeroes.
Born Charles David Wendig on April 22, 1976, in New Hope, Pennsylvania, Chuck Wendig grew up in Bucks County and attended Central Bucks High School East. He studied English and religion at Queens University of Charlotte, graduating in 1998, before working various odd day jobs and building a career as a full-time freelance writer. He contributed over two million words to the tabletop game industry, working extensively as a writer and developer for White Wolf roleplaying game projects between 2002 and 2011, most notably developing Hunter. His early fiction appeared under names such as C.D. Wendig and C. David Wendig before he established his mainstream novel career.
Beyond novel writing, Wendig has expanded his storytelling across film, television, video games, digital media, and comic books. He co-wrote the short film Pandemic and contributed to the Emmy-nominated digital narrative Collapsus. His profile expanded into major media franchises through his authorship of the Star Wars: Aftermath trilogy. An alumnus of the Sundance Screenwriters Lab and a finalist for the Astounding Award, Wendig also dispenses practical writing advice on his blog, terribleminds.com, and through instructional craft titles including Damn Fine Story and The Kick-Ass Writer.
Wendig's work frequently bridges horror, science fiction, and urban fantasy, examining small-town hauntings, technological paranoia, societal collapses, and human resilience under extreme stress. His stories feature fast-paced narrative momentum paired with dark thematic urgency and grounded character dynamics. Drawing on his extensive background in roleplaying game design and transmedia scripting, his craft guides and fiction reflect a deep emphasis on plot mechanics, pacing, and multi-threaded character arcs.
