Zeroes,

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.

Career & Background

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.

Writing Style & Themes

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.

Major Works

• Wanderers — A bestselling apocalyptic novel depicting a mysterious sleepwalking illness that leads a group across America while society collapses around them.
• Wayward — The direct sequel to Wanderers, following the survivors as they navigate the aftermath of societal disruption.
• The Book of Accidents — A dark supernatural horror novel exploring dark family history and eerie forces in rural Pennsylvania.
• Star Wars: Aftermath Trilogy — A high-profile science fiction trilogy set between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens.
• Zeroes — A techno-thriller following a group of hackers pulled into a high-stakes cyber threat.
• Blackbirds — An urban fantasy novel introducing Miriam Black, a woman cursed with visions of how people will die.
• Damn Fine Story — A practical creative writing guide focusing on storytelling structure and craft techniques.