BIG NEWS! US BEFORE THEM STORY COMPLETED! (Us Before Them Updates #5)
The finish line is in sight... as well as a release date.
March 2nd, 2025:
The final story draft is complete! By that, I mean every aspect of the actual story is fully dialed in. Every subplot connects to one another. Every character’s arc is resolved—all in a heartbreaking but satisfying manner. Here’s a hint: a lot of them have to do with Nicolas Carver.
My favorite subplot resolved during this last editing period definitely goes beyond the simple, down-to-Earth sci-fi that characterizes The Forgotten Colony. But it does so in a way that sheds light on the history, complexities, and dangers of Alpha Cen. It’s the sort of storyline where the big reveal ties literally all of the loose ends in the book together. And Cora Keaton plays a central role in it.
Upon asking fans of The Forgotten Colony and Us Before Them what they’re most excited for in the upcoming novel, there was a near tie between “seeing how the characters change” and “lore about Alpha Cen.”
One thing I can say is the character development in Us Before Them takes everything that was set up in The Forgotten Colony and blows it up. Rivalries will fester. Mysteries will be uncovered. And all of the characters will have to learn to let the past rest in favor of a peaceful future.
Characters deeply wronged in The Forgotten Colony will find the line between ‘friend’ and ‘foe’ blurred. After all, what would you do if your mortal enemy saved your life?
As for lore, there is plenty of it. The Forgotten Colony is quite literally the set up for this novel. There is an entirely new world that Zach Croft must adapt to, as suggested by the back-of-the-book blurb below:
The themes of tribalism and environmental ruin explored in Us Before Them also caught the attention of fans, who have drawn many connections between the hints dropped about the story and our real world (something I’ve tried to do as well). Let’s put it this way: it has been very interesting to write the second Zach Croft book during this period.
Now that the story is exactly where it needs to be, I must copyedit and proofread the book. I’m holding off on announcing a release date currently because I want to get a sense of how fast the line edits can be done, but I have a firm one in mind.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to announce it soon, as well as begin sending out exclusive previews from the book to members of this newsletter.
Thank you all so much for your support during the writing of this book. I am incredibly eager to get it into your hands.
J.B. Ryder
Have you read The Forgotten Colony yet?
To all of you who already bought The Forgotten Colony, thank you so much for your support. Your excitement and enthusiasm for the book has made the long four-year journey totally worth it.
If you enjoyed the book, please leave a review on Goodreads and/or Amazon.
If you haven’t had a chance to pick up a copy, it’s available on Amazon now, in paperback, hardcover, and ebook format.
I can’t wait!!!!
IM SO EXCITED