We have no idea. The one thing we know for sure? There will still be Happily Ever Afters.

Like many other beautiful stories, this one started with empanadas.

It was early spring 2024. The days began to lengthen, flowers were in bloom, and we (Ali and Adriana, aka AH²) met with a handful of author friends at a delicious lunch spot in NYC. Adriana had recently completed a Kickstarter project that had produced some truly stunning editions of her Toy Runners series. Ali felt nostalgic and was missing some of the most collaborative aspects of being in fandom. We were both buzzing with new story ideas, and wanted to write something set in a post-apocalyptic world. A few (many) margaritas in, the convergence of all our interests, dreams, and desires became apparent. 

In the following weeks, we made a few (many) phone calls and wrote a few (many) emails, with the aim of getting some of our favorite writers, artists, designers, editors, and all sorts of bookish creatives to collaborate with us. Thankfully, many decided to take a chance on us and jump on board, and in the summer of 2024, After the End was officially born.

(Moral of the story: we should all eat more empanadas and drink more tequila.)