Winter is coming, and with it, a whole new level of danger…
Dear Readers,
I’m thrilled to announce that the wait is almost over. The highly anticipated sequel to “The Other Side of the Sun” is nearly complete and will be hitting shelves soon. “Apricity” picks up right where we left our struggling family, at that heart-stopping cliffhanger that I’ve received so many messages about (sorry-not-sorry for the sleepless nights).
For those who’ve been with John, Alex, and Amelia from the beginning, you know the journey has already tested them beyond what any family should endure. But winter has arrived, bringing with it a whole new set of challenges that will push them to their absolute limits.
From the Frying Pan Into the Freezer
When we last saw our survivors, they had just barely escaped with their lives. The injuries sustained in that final confrontation left both John and Alex in precarious physical condition – hardly ideal when facing the harshest season in a world without modern conveniences.
“Apricity” – a beautiful, archaic word meaning “the warmth of the sun in winter” – serves as both title and metaphor for this next chapter. Our characters are desperately seeking any source of warmth, both literal and figurative, in an increasingly cold and hostile world.
As John recovers from his gunshot wound and Alex (is she alive or not?), the arrival of unexpected family members brings both comfort and complication. Family appearance shifts the dynamic in ways no one anticipated, creating tensions even as they provide much-needed support.
Survival Takes on a New Meaning
If you thought survival was challenging in book one, “Apricity” raises the stakes considerably. Winter in Pennsylvania is unforgiving under normal circumstances. In a post-collapse world, it’s deadly.
The struggle for basic necessities becomes exponentially more difficult:
- Heat becomes precious currency: With temperatures plummeting and no electricity, keeping warm is a constant battle that consumes resources and energy.
- Food supplies dwindle: Hunting becomes nearly impossible in severe weather conditions, and stored supplies must be carefully rationed.
- Medical care remains primitive: Infections that would be easily treated in our world become life-threatening, and pain management means making difficult choices about limited medication.
- Mobility is restricted: Snow and ice make travel dangerous, potentially cutting our family off from resources and trapping them with threats.
But as readers of the first book know, external threats often pale in comparison to the human ones.
New Alliances, New Threats
The introduction of a new group opens up a realm of possibilities for our survivors – but are they saviors or a different kind of danger?
In a world where trust has become a luxury few can afford, the offer of collaboration brings both hope and suspicion. This new group presents themselves as a solution to many problems, yet the motivations remain murky. Is this community truly built on cooperative survival, or something more sinister?
Meanwhile, those who’ve been watching from the shadows make calculated moves of their own. Other factions have their own vision for the future – one that may not include John’s family at all.
The political dynamics at play reflect our inherent human nature: even when survival should be the priority, power struggles emerge. As John observes in “Apricity”:
“It’s a battle for resources now, right?”
“Yes, but it’s also about numbers,” Tony replies. “You got lucky by having good resources to defend yourself. That luck won’t hold up forever. At some point, someone will come along with resources at least as good as yours, and if they have the numbers, then you’re finished.”
This sequel explores a fundamental question: how do you build something lasting in a world that’s still falling apart?
The Psychological Toll
One aspect of “Apricity” that I’m particularly proud of is its unflinching look at the psychological impact of prolonged survival situations. John’s internal struggle with the violence he’s been forced to commit weighs heavily:
As I lie there, listening to the soft breathing of those around me and the howling wind outside, I can’t help but wonder what tomorrow will bring. We’ve survived another day, but at what cost? And how many more close calls can we endure before our luck runs out?
The moral questions grow increasingly complex. When is killing justified? What differentiates protection from aggression? How do you maintain your humanity when confronted with inhumane choices daily?
For Amelia, coming to terms with the loss of her mother while navigating this harsh new reality presents challenges no child should face. Her evolution from the traumatized child we met in book one to a more hardened, capable survivor carries its own heartbreaking implications.
These psychological elements aren’t simply window dressing – they form the emotional core of “Apricity” and drive many of the decisions our characters make, for better or worse.
Building Something From the Ruins
If the first book was about immediate survival and reaction, “Apricity” begins to explore something more profound: how to build a future.
The controversial wall project becomes more than just a defensive measure – it represents hope, stability, and the first tentative steps toward rebuilding some version of community. But walls serve dual purposes: they keep threats out while potentially trapping dangers within.
The brick plant discovery offers a tangible goal, something to work toward beyond day-to-day survival. As Alex suggests:
“If what’s going to get us killed eventually is a lack of protection, is it in the realm of feasible for us to build some sort of wall around this subdivision? You guys have horses and carts; there are tons of bricks about two miles away. It may take a while, but who’s to say we can’t build a wall around us and have a place we can be safe in.”
This vision of security – of creating something lasting in a world of impermanence – provides a glimmer of hope amid the darkness. But is it achievable? And at what cost?
The Untold Stories
One question I frequently receive from readers is about what’s happening elsewhere in this collapsed world. While “Apricity” maintains its intimate focus on our core characters, we begin to see hints of larger forces at work:
“People are saying that there is a group who have taken over the military base near the Ohio border. From what we’ve been able to gather when the people stationed at this facility realized that nothing was coming back on, they all started to leave and head home to their families. Apparently, a group of people stormed the base, took it over and executed all the remaining military personnel who hadn’t left.”
These whispers of organized, aggressive groups expanding their territory add another layer of tension. The relative isolation that has protected our family may be coming to an end, forcing them to consider what role they’ll play in the emerging new order.
Writing Through the Darkness
Creating “Apricity” has been an intense journey. As a writer, immersing myself in this world day after day means confronting difficult questions about human nature, survival ethics, and what truly matters when everything we take for granted is stripped away.
I’ve spent countless hours researching practical survival techniques, medical procedures, and the psychological effects of trauma to ensure authenticity. A lot of what I’ve learned you can read about through blogs on my website. But beyond the technical aspects, I’ve tried to maintain a balance between the darkness inherent in this scenario and the persistent flame of human resilience.
This sequel is certainly darker than its predecessor – the winter setting naturally lends itself to that tone – but it’s not without moments of warmth and hope. The relationships between characters deepen in meaningful ways, and even in their darkest moments, flashes of humor and humanity shine through.
My goal has never been to write “disaster porn” or revel in the collapse of civilization. Rather, I’m fascinated by how people adapt, how relationships evolve under pressure, and how we might rebuild something meaningful from the ashes of what came before.
What to Expect
Without giving away too much, here’s what you can look forward to in “Apricity”:
- Edge-of-your-seat confrontations that will leave you breathless
- Deeper exploration of existing characters and compelling new additions
- Realistic survival challenges that will make you appreciate your central heating
- Moments of unexpected beauty amid the harsh winter landscape
- Moral dilemmas with no easy answers – relevant to our current situation here in America
- A conclusion that will absolutely not leave you hanging like last time (okay, that’s not entirely true…)
The sequel expands the world of “The Other Side of the Sun” while maintaining the intimate focus on our core family that readers connected with so strongly. It’s a delicate balance, but one I believe “Apricity” achieves.
Behind the Title
A few have asked about the meaning behind “Apricity.” This beautiful, nearly forgotten word describes the warmth of the sun in winter – that moment when sunlight breaks through the clouds on a frigid day, providing brief but profound relief.
It perfectly encapsulates what our characters are seeking, both literally and metaphorically. In the depths of winter, both environmental and spiritual, they’re searching for those rare moments of warmth that remind them why survival matters.
The word itself has an almost magical quality – a reminder that sometimes the most precious things are those that appear when we need them most, even if they can’t last forever.
When Can You Get Your Hands on It?
“The Other Side of the Sun: Apricity” will be available later this year. I’m currently putting the finishing touches on the manuscript and working closely with my editor to ensure it’s the best version possible.
For the most up-to-date information on the exact release date, pre-order opportunities, and exclusive content, make sure you’re following my website at www.christophergardnerworkshop.com. I’ll be sharing sneak peeks, character insights, and behind-the-scenes looks at the writing process in the coming weeks.
Subscribers to my newsletter will receive this information first, along with the opportunity to read an extended preview chapter before release. If you haven’t signed up yet, now’s the perfect time!
A Thank You to My Readers
The response to “The Other Side of the Sun” has been overwhelming and humbling. Your passionate emails, thoughtful reviews, and engaging discussions about the characters and their choices have made this journey incredibly rewarding.
Many of you have shared how the story has prompted you to think differently about preparedness, community, and what you truly value. Others have told me how the characters have stayed with you long after finishing the final page. These messages mean the world to me and fuel the late nights of writing and revision.
Creating this world and these characters has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my writing career. I can’t wait to share this next chapter with you and continue the conversation about what happens when the lights go out, and we’re forced to find our way in the darkness.
Join the Conversation
While you wait for “Apricity,” I’d love to hear your thoughts and predictions. What do you think will happen to John, Alex, and Amelia? How would you handle the situations they’re facing?
Share your thoughts in the comments section of this post, or join the discussion on my social media channels. The community that has formed around these books continues to impress me with their insights and perspectives.
For those new to the series, now is the perfect time to pick up “The Other Side of the Sun” and experience the beginning of this journey. It’s available in all major online retailers in both physical and digital formats.
Final Thoughts
“Apricity” asks us to consider what remains when everything familiar is stripped away. What do we cling to? What do we discover about ourselves? How do we rebuild not just structures, but meaning?
I believe these questions resonate beyond the post-apocalyptic setting. They speak to something fundamental about the human experience – our vulnerability, our resilience, and our need for connection even (or especially) in our darkest hours.
Stay safe out there, and keep an eye out for “The Other Side of the Sun: Apricity” – coming soon to remind us all that even in the depths of winter, moments of warmth can still be found.
Cheerts!
Chris Gardner
Follow my website www.christophergardnerworkshop.com for the latest updates on release dates, exclusive content, and more insights into “The Other Side of the Sun” series. Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to know when “Apricity” is available for pre-order!