Press Release
Jan. 15/25
Award-Winning Ontario Author Completes Dystopian Trilogy With Release of “Uncounted”
How far would you go to uncover the truth that could save your future?
The highly anticipated conclusion to The World Collective trilogy by Ontario author Susan Cullen arrives today, January 15, 2025. Uncounted is be released simultaneously in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats, completing the thought-provoking young adult dystopian series that earned Cullen recognition as a Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer finalist and Word Award winner.
In a world where truth has been buried under layers of lies, perhaps the most powerful discovery is that hope's song never truly fades — it just needs a willing heart to hear it.
In this gripping finale, protagonist Rygita discovers that everything she believed about life outside the World Collective was a lie. Beyond the controlled cities lies a hidden community of the Uncounted, offering a glimpse of freedom she never knew existed. As the unchecked force known as Thanatos threatens their world and the United People close in, Ry must confront her past and work with an unlikely ally to unlock crucial memories before time runs out.
"The book will challenge how you think about society, the individual, and the role of technology and what our future might involve,” says Amber Kuipers, author of When Grey Came to Stay. “It's a perfect series for teens, young adults, or adults who love the dystopian genre but don't necessarily want all the violence or gore. Cullen created very believable characters with their own unique traits and flaws and profoundly human emotions, problems, and experiences."
The World Collective trilogy distinguishes itself in the dystopian genre through its thoughtful exploration of social dynamics and moral complexity. The series examines a world governed by the Code, a moral technology that dictates everything from career paths to lifespans, all in the name of the greater good.
The final installment of the trilogy weaves together themes of hope, truth, and resistance, offering a powerful message for today's readers as they navigate their own complex relationship with technology and society.
Susan Cullen resides in Chatham-Kent, Ontario, where she balances writing with raising two teenagers alongside her husband. When not crafting new stories, she can be found supporting fellow NaNoWriMo writers, critiquing Marvel movies, walking her dog, and enjoying board games with her family.
Uncounted will be available through Chicken House Press and major online retailers starting January 15, 2025. An in-person book launch celebration will be held in February 2025. Event details will be announced soon.
For media inquiries or to request a review copy, please contact Alanna Rusnak at Chicken House Press.
Press Release
Dec. 11/23
Cullen Presents a Powerful Sequel with the Release of United People
The second instalment in The World Collective trilogy asks big questions about loyalty, friendship, and standing up for what is right.
Author Susan Cullen returns to the literary scene with a sequel to her stunning debut The World Collective, winner of the 2023 Word Award for best YA and shortlisted for the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize for best debut speculative fiction. The much anticipated United People continues the story of Ry as she and her friends try to understand the world they live in, pushing boundaries to discern who is really on their side.
Cullen’s writing has been compared to that of Aldous Huxley, taking a bold yet plausible approach to imagining a future not yet within our grasp. With intelligent design and thoughtful world-building, Cullen expands the reader’s understanding of a new world in this second not-to-miss chapter.
“Cullen continues the story of the World Collective and keeps you engaged from the start,” said Amber Kuipers, author of When Grey Came to Stay. “The characters were relatable and the setting was imaginative yet believable. I felt surprised at every turn… It's one of those books that you will keep thinking long after you've finished it.”
United People piggy-backs on The World Collective’s dare to think critically about the situation you find yourself in, artfully challenging its characters and its readers to not follow leadership blindly, but to consider all sides and think for themselves. Is it true power if obedience is forced? Perhaps the perfect world the Collective created is not so perfect after all.
Officially launched at Turns and Tales bookstore in Chatham, Ontario on December 10, 2023, United People is already making an impression with early readers. “Susan Cullen has done it again!” says Amanda Torry. “The concept… is unique and well written. The second book did not disappoint.”
United People is available in paperback and hardcover from the publisher at chickenhousepress.ca or Amazon. Ebooks can be obtained through Amazon and Kobo.
Store owners and distributors are invited to register with Chicken House Press as a retailer of titles to enjoy a wholesale discount on copies of the book.
Paperback ISBN: 978-1990336638 | Hardcover ISBN: 978-1990336645
Media Release
September /23
LOCAL WRITER WINS NATIONAL WRITING AWARD
Chatham-Kent, Ontario - Susan Cullen of Chatham, Ontario has won a writing award in a national writing competition for her YA Dystopian book THE WORLD COLLECTIVE.
A former occasional teacher, Cullen is the local municipal liaison for Chatham-Kent's NaNoWriMo writers and is kept busy raising two story loving teens with her husband.
Cullen's book, which introduces readers to an utopian, green future, won in the Young Adult, Published General Market Fiction category in The 2023 Word Awards.
The Word Guild hosted the 35th annual awards event on Saturday, Sept. 16, and was held online for the fourth consecutive year. Co-hosted by Heather Stuart and Bill Fledderus, the event recognized unpublished work by new writers as well as work published in 2022 for both Christian and mainstream audiences. The Word Awards Celebration is the premier event honouring the work of Canadian writers who are Christian.
The over 60 award categories include non-fiction books, novels, articles, columns, poems, blogs, and song lyrics.
The Word Awards were established to encourage the pursuit of excellence in the art, craft, practice and ministry of writing and help raise the profile of Canadian writers who are Christian.
Some of Canada's best-known Christian writers, leaders, academics, songwriters, and journalists have entered this contest and won awards or received Award of Merit citations, including: Carolyn Arends, Steve Bell, Thomas Froese, Stanley J. Grenz, Maxine Hancock, Janette Oke, J. I. Packer, John G. Stackhouse, Brian C. Stiller, Jr., Karen Stiller, Ann Voskamp, Sheila Wray-Gregoire, and William P. Young.
To see the complete list of this year's winners, or to obtain more information about The Word Awards or The Word Guild, visit www.thewordguild.com.
April 17/23
The world Collective is Shortlisted
April 17, 2023 - THE WORLD COLLECTIVE was selected for the Speculative Fiction shortlist in the 2023 Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize.
Following this announcement Susan Cullen was invited to participate in an author spotlight on the Kobo blog. Read her interview here: Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize 2023: KWL Author Spotlight on Susan Cullen
The 2023 Emerging Writer Prize winners were announced June 22nd, 2023. You can view the full 2023 shortlist and winners here.