Long Empty Roads

The Survivor Journals

by Sean Patrick Little

After a hard, cold winter, Twist is no longer willing to struggle to live in Wisconsin. The time has come for him to move south. There he will begin to rebuild life after the viral apocalypse. The world he knew is changing, however. Nature is slowly reclaiming the land. Exotic animals released from zoos roam freely. Stores of food, once fresh and plentiful, are beginning to spoil. Surviving in the South is no guarantee, but it will be warmer there. And there will be wild game to hunt and plenty of land to farm. The South represents his best chance at building a new existence. But first, he needs to search for other survivors. Even if the Flu did not kill him, loneliness just might.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2018

About the author

​Sean Patrick Little is a writer, speaker, editor, educator, and general literary dude from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

He is the author of the best-selling Survivor Journals series and the critically praised Abe & Duff mystery series. He has also authored one book in the Shelby Ree mystery series, a space opera called Strange Angels​, and is always at work on the next project.

He holds a BA in Broadcast Journalism from UW-Whitewater, a BFA in Fiction Writing from Winona State University, and a master's in Education from St. Mary's University of Minnesota. He has been a teacher, a painter, a paint salesman, and a Dean of Education. He regularly teaches writing and publishing seminars whenever asked.

Little is a member of the Wisconsin Writer's Association, the Authors Guild, the Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime.

And if any of those groups ever find out, they'll be very upset.

Reviews

[Sean Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this. So, my review is probably biased.

This is the second book in a series I started writing as an antithesis to the standard post-apocalyptic survival novels. No warring factions, no children being forced into gladiatorial combat, no mohawked mutants fighting for gasoline in the Outback, and most importantly--no zombies.

Just a stupid, beta-male teenager from Wisconsin trying to figure out his place in a world where everyone died but him.

I hope you enjoy the first book, AFTER EVERYONE DIED, and the sequel, LONG EMPTY ROADS.

I hope I get a chance to write a third book.

If you do read this book and enjoy it, please consider writing a review. Any positive review, even a short one, helps immensely. Tell friends. Post about the books on your various social media feeds. Buy hard copies for people. Create fan art and post it. Anything that gets people to know more about these books helps, because I don't have any money to spend on marketing. I rely solely on reviews and word of mouth.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask them either on my author page on Goodreads or find me on Facebook (www.facebook.com/seanpatricklittlewriter).

I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read this book.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent read

This may sound very odd but this is my kind of the end of the world story!! No zombies, no tribal like war mongers, just a normal young man really acting like I think most of us would behave. No super survivor who is shouting and has all these secret skills that is fantasy for most teenage boys but not reality.
I enjoyed the first book and I was hoping the second would be as great. No tried and done that been there kind of book. Thank you and if it becomes a trilogy, id read it. I love he uses the library to learn what he needs to learn, smart hero.

[Will G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very solid sequel to After Everyone Dies. Twist’s lonely existence continues through his travels and attempts to find anyone else following the flu. Tired of scavenging he hopes to settle down somewhen south of Wisconsin and hopefully with other people. Well written, a thinking person’s apocalyptic story and well worth reading. Looking forward to book 3!

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alone...

I love my kindle. I have found a few authors that are simply terrific ! Mr. Little is one of those authors. After reading the first book of this series, I have anxiously been waiting for the next. Got it today, finished it today.
Twist is an 18 year old guy from Wisconsin. The flu has hit his world and he's lost everybody he knows. The whole world has been destroyed.
Twist has left his home heading south. In an RV with an adopted
cat he is hitting all the places he's always read about hoping to find more people. Surely there has to be other survivors.
This book is different from other post apocalyptic books. There are no zombies, no pack of weird people, only a very good story .
If you're looking for a good read I would recommend this book highly. I have my fingers crossed that the author will continue Twist's story. 😁

[Emily Gregg · Rating 3 out of 5]

a super quick read. it was hard to view the words on the page as coming from a supposed 18-19 year old kid as opposed to the author who is a grown man. i did not enjoy the inconsistencies with race that the author started in the first book. he says race doesn’t matter anymore because everyone is dead but then in this book goes on to reveal the races of two characters? why? it’s giving white man. the subject material was good though and the plot moved right along. i caught myself rolling my eyes sometimes at the references this kid made. blue blazes? it’s supposed to be present time and a 18 year old is saying blue blazes? sure. overall i liked it, finished it in a day. and i know i will read the third book because i’ve come this far lol.

[Sally Hooley DeMicke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book.

Sean I loved the second book Even more then the first. Please please please write a third. I love the fact you wrote this in the form of a journal. I also love that in the end Twist and Ten end up together. I hope if you write a third that you start it right where you left off. I plan on reading everybody you write. Thankyou for letting me go on this journey in this post apocalyptic world with you and Twist. I'd love to join you guys for the rest of the trip...... Thanks again. Sally

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sequel almost as much as the original book. The story picked up right where Twist’s first journal left us and continued the story. The tale of Twist and those he encounters on his journey south feels so normal, just what an ordinary person would do under these extraordinary circumstances. This is far from my usual type of reading, but I read it in one day, it was so engaging. I find it easy to identify with him and I can’t wait for Book 3.

[Michael Bertrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twist continues his post apocalyptic adventures across the United States. In this novel he visits Indiana, Manhattan Island, and Washington DC, among others. The author has written about his desire to avoid the example set by works like the Walking Dead- so just as with the first novel, there are no zombies, gore, and no over-the-top love triangles.

There is a lot of boredom and loneliness. Even so, the book reads quickly.

I liked this realism. I was sad that the character left Wisconsin. I live near the setting of the first novel. I'm interested to see where the author goes with the third book!

[Gwyn Bontrager · Rating 5 out of 5]

What s nice change of pace.

Although I admit being a SHTF fan in a lot of my reading I'm certainly not a prepper in my daily life but do enjoy a good read with out zombies involved. The fact that my home is in Shipshewana IN was really a bonus. Very well done with no rockum ,sockum, blood bath was well done. There's a lot left in this story, get crackin.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic story and series!!! Please hurry up with book 3!!!

[Paige Krogwold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book (just like the first) is fantastic! I can not recommend either enough to anyone.

[Kell Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. Worth the wait! Thanks so much Sean for looking after Twist so well. Bravo, well done!

Anyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic fiction, but is getting bored with zombies and militias and complicated group dynamics, should read "After Everybody Died", and, of course, follow it up with "Long Empty Roads".

Just... Awesome Job Sean.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good sequel

I enjoyed the sequel. I was hoping there would be one! Please keep writing about Twist and Renata, there is so much more to know.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part two! Just as interesting as part one! But now there's a love interest, but we're still in survival mode, and we have found other survivors but most are not very nice. And lions show up in the US!
This installment of the story is just as good as the first installment. Enjoy this author's style and story.

[Sue Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting Better, Sean!

I lived reading the author notes on this sequel—his reasons for writing this kind of book exactly mirrored my thoughts on why I liked this take on post-apocalyptic genre—the story feels genuine and there are no ridiculous manufactured challenges, which is the point, isn’t it? Just trying to survive, trying to find a reason to want to when everyone and everything is suddenly gone is the greatest human challenge there could be in such a scenario. I could go on, but let me just say this: if you like apocalyptic fiction but also like intelligent, non-fantastical characters with heart, you’ll love this series. Now, on to book 3...

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I didn't have to wait years for this sequel to come out!! This is a great continuation of Twist's journey. Although not a superman he uses his brains and logic to make correct decisions about the direction in life he want to go. I love his smarts and compassion. His adventures seem pretty realistic to me. I would like to see a few more people populate this new world. Where they have ended up should provide a few more. I hope this series continues soon. He is not yet 20 years old and he has a lot of living yet to do and he is in a great area of the country to make a go of it.

[J.Patrick Hardin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not great, but not bad either.

I like that Twist matured over the length of the book looked to find a place to work the land and make his own, and disliked in some other parts his continuing naivete on just how that world would work by deconstructing itself back into a primal predator vs prey scenario.

[Wendy Mckenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Post apocalyptic story

Loved this book, loved the series! Simply about trying to live in a lonely world that lacks all the conveniences we are accustomed to and the maturation of boy into man along the way.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make sure to read the author’s note at the end

A very enjoyable book. I really felt like I was part of the story, it was accessible and realistic. Now I need to read the first book!

[Lawrence Busino · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been awhile since I read a book that I just couldn't get enough of. This is one. Very well done. I can't wait to start on the third in the series.

[Saya · Rating 4 out of 5]

¡Qué grata sorpresa! Esta segunda parte conserva el estilo de la primera pero es todavía más opresiva, y eso me gusta. Hay mucha soledad en este libro, mucha, y ya dije en el primero que me gustaba mucho que Twist se quedase solo. Y por cierto, Twist ha crecido, ha madurado. Se ha enfrentado al miedo y a la locura. Se ha topado con la muerte de maneras muy intensas. Hay pasajes que me han hecho pensar y llorar. Pero en el buen sentido.

Este libro hace muchas cosas bien: el personaje "beta" (como dice el propio autor en el epílogo), la introspección, lo diferente que es a otras novelas repletas de acción. Es una historia terriblemente honesta que además visibiliza temas como el racismo o la masculinidad tóxica, y lo hace de manera bien integrada dentro de la historia y los personajes.

Siguen habiendo cosas que me parecen un pelín típicas (se viene bloque de spoilers), pero deja muy buen sabor de boca.

Que Renata sea enfermera es demasiado conveniente; si no, Twist no hubiese sobrevivido al tigre. También era de esperar que hubiese "malotes" (en Nueva York), aunque por suerte nunca los vemos ni nos enfrentamos a ellos. Luego Twist dice que no va a haber tema romántico y al final lo hay (teniendo en cuenta que estamos leyendo su diario, tiene sentido), pero al menos explora la incomodidad que se genera entre ambos (que Renata crea que es gay es brillante, porque Twist es un buen chaval que en el mundo real sería un "pagafantas" porque, bueno, no es un cretino de mierda que intenta meter mano a la mínima de cambio), y la relación al principio es complicada (no es precisamente un amor a primera vista, y de hecho creo que pueden estar confundiendo sentimientos, lo cual sería totalmente lógico). La primera mitad del libro es Twist solo; la segunda mitad, Twist y Ren solos. Pero al menos él está aprendiendo a vivir, no a existir (qué llorera con Doug). La tremenda escasez de personajes es deliciosa, y transmite a la perfección la sensación de estar en un mundo sin apenas habitantes.

Y yo he puesto este bloque de spoilers para hablar de los detalles que menos me han gustado y al final acabo alabando las cosas buenas, pero es que el libro lo merece. En fin, fuera spoilers. Lectura recomendadísima.

[David Berger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another bases loaded home run.

I don’t even follow baseball, but this title seemed appropriate.
I have read, which seems like hundreds of EOW stories, and this series has been the best. I am so sick and tired of ex military, special forces alpha types, who have a no character flaws, battling Zombies or groups of evil men who only want to rape and pillage. I’m weary of the heroes with magnificently strong bodies, of any age, which are able to still conquer all, even after suffering serious injuries.
Essentially I’m weary of writers and publishers who are unaware of the definition of “Suspension of Disbelief”.
I was thrilled to read a story of this genre where the characters are actually realistic people with personality flaws, insecurities, and bodies that struggle through real life situations, such as dealing with weather, and climate (2 very succinctly different things, for all those intellectually challenged, slope head, slack jawed, chin drooling, science denying knuckle draggers out there).
This author cleverly anticipated what may very well occur in a rapid die off of civilization, such as what would occur to domesticated animals, and even zoo animals. He is the only writer who realistically assessed what weather would actually do to houses, roads, and other seemingly impervious. but ultimately frail man made infrastructure.
In the series’ first book, The Stand was referenced, and The Road in this book. These are 2 magnificent stories, with flaws to be sure, but which are both intellectually stimulating. In my mind, I place this series along side them.
Though the fog of melancholy needs to be trudged through along with the characters, we also get to break through that depressing fog, and feel the uplifting emotion of hope as well.
Instead of shoveling in the mass produced pablum typical of genres of this type, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a substance filled meal of litterateur that fills, while still leaving you hungry for more.
An additional treat was the marvelous editing, with a noticeable lack of spelling and grammatical errors.
I don’t know, I guess maybe you could say I liked the book.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing the story of Twist, last survivor (almost) of the Flu pandemic.
In this book Twist gets a cat, and meets a few survivors.

One is a woman. A small complaint about this, typical of the male apocalyptic writers: note:sex does not have to involve penetration which is the thing that leads to babies. Why do the male writers never think of this??!! Sure they may like it that way but hey, it's not necessary and a lot of women are quite happy to not have that part at all . Plus avoids the issue of childbirth in bad conditions

Another handy hint for the survivor: Teeth brushing helps for sure, but as you age, teeth crumble anyway. I suggest stocking up well on a supply of cepacaine. Antiseptic, antibiotic and includes Benzocaine.

Brilliant stuff, only takes a couple of days of use, broken teeth, infected teeth, whatever.
Save resorting to nasty home dentistry methods involving pliers and pain.

Anyway, this is a great series. On to book 3 now...

[Cynthia Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad there aren’t zombies

I am a constant apocalypse reader (comes from growing up in Florida during the Cuban missile crisis). This is a lovely, science-based, kind series. Kinder than our own present pandemic - no racist, inflammatory misogynistic anti-Christ figure, for instance. But I digress. If you don’t care about a supernatural war between the forces of good & evil but just want to read about a “what would I do if this happened to me” then really, read this gentle series. Although, gotta say, for this second volume, the protagonist is plagued by terrible fear at first but doesn’t remember that he used to have a dog. Dogs help with is there something scary that I can’t see. Cats won’t do it. Dogs got your back. Just sayin.

[Victoria Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The road ahead- no spoilers

This book was a real change for me. Although it was listed in the young adult section (I am definitely no longer a young adult) the book looked interesting. No zombies, no military-like persons trying to take over. Just a few encounters along the way. I am looking forward to rding book 3. Its loaded and ready to go. A great read on a hot summer day in Ohio. Ohio is a bit more interesting that Twist thought, but most of what he said it true.

I also want to say that I purchased all three books (although not at list price). That is uncommon for me. I belong to Kindle Unlimited and usually get my reads that way.
These books were well worth the price. They will be read multiple times. On to book 3.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 1/2 stars.

I stopped reading this one at about 75% because the grammar is so bad! It’s not that hard to proofread or get someone else to do it. Using the same word 3-6 times in two sentences, random capitalization of things that never need to be capitalized, and commas just thrown about make it really hard to focus on the story.

Aside from that, what was with Renata? She seemed competent as hell until she got on the road with Twist, then she’s suddenly a maiden in distress and can’t possibly do a thing in her own.

In my review for the first one, I said I would recommend it despite the glaring errors littered throughout the book. This time, I can’t. It’s too distracting and unprofessional.

[Martin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book series

After reading the first two books in this series, I have to say, it is my favorite Post- -Apocalyptic series I have every read. I have read at least twenty different series from several authors. The Survivor Journal series tells a different type of story. I seems more realistic and dramatic. It is more about a young mans feelings, thought processes, fears and ambitions, rather than about opposing groups banding together to fight for their way of life. I am going to start the third book in the series now. I just hope the story doesn't too soon. I could read endless stories about Twist and Ren. Thank you Sean Little for a great story Nd all your efforts.

[Wizards TBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is written from the perspective of an eighteen-year-old, it does not feel like a YA book. As Twist was forced to skip his normal young adulthood to survive post apocalyptic Earth, the book has a more serious tone with younger humor that suits the character's age. But on the other side, it takes into consideration what the world would come to with the nature of humans. This is not a huge rebuilding-society book, it's more focused on a person's ability to adapt, survive, cope with depression and loneliness, and in the end live again, and that's why I love this series.
Sean, if you're reading this, thank you for not submitting to publisher demands to change your vision of the story.

[Rue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Vibe: Practical, lonely, and educational.
The Hook: The journey continues as our protagonist uses the resources of the local library to master the skills needed for long-term survival. And now he is on the move to find better climate and other survivors.
The Library Love: Fantastic. Seeing a character value knowledge and research during a rough time is a major highlight. It makes the growth feel earned.
The Protagonist: Relatable. Just a regular young guy trying his best. No "chosen one" tropes, just a human trying to learn.
The Continuity: The Bread Incident. He definitely baked bread in Book 1. It’s a small slip, but I noticed.
The Verdict: Still very enjoyable. It stays grounded in the logistics of survival, which is exactly what I want.

[Clayton Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice change of pace

I really liked this version of what the world could look like after some type of cataclysmic event. I've read so many books with apocalyptic themes, and it is really hard to find one that doesn't feel like the last ten I have read, was what made this book very refreshing. Yes there are others out there with a similar story, "Earth Abides", by George R. Stewart, is the first to come to mind but I feel this stands on it's own. I felt like I was reading the main characters personal diary. He did a lot of things I feel that I would have done if I were faced with the same situation. All in all, it was a good and well written story.