I first wrote World Apart: Extinction War fifteen years ago, sidelining the project for ten years while I completed my medical training. I pulled it back out with the intent of publishing it five years ago, but one read-through in search of errors turned into seven complete re-reads and a near rewrite of the entire book. I added new characters and scenes, amounting to an extra 50,000 words (for a total of around 217,000 words in the finished product).

What took me so long was my need to make it "perfect." I found my background in poetry made me particularly sensitive to the music of language; each line had to sound right, not just read well. I hope my readers will feel the attention I gave to each sentence: the word choice, the syntax, the rhythm and flow, the way the words roll off the tongue.

As they read, I hope they connect with the characters’ emotions, marvel at the worlds, laugh at the humor, and scream at the twists. This story was designed to invoke the full spectrum of feeling. It delves into the darkest, most brutal aspects of humankind, but also its capacity for unity, friendship, and love. Though speculative, this science-fiction novel imagines a future rooted in our present. The events that set it in motion are already unfolding all around us.

I don’t presume this book will change the course of humanity, but I do hope it makes readers think—makes them question, wonder, and dream. For those who venture to give it a go, I hope you enjoy the epic journey you’re about to embark on. It will take you far, introduce you to many, and open your eyes to a universe of possibility.

I look forward to hearing if you enjoyed the read; knowing the story connected with you will only deepen the sense of fulfillment I already feel in sharing it.

Sincerely,
C.J. Connor