Fucking layers, man. Nate never ceases to bloody amaze me. He’s the hardest, fiercest, most dangerous mother fucker I’ve ever known in my life.
And he has the biggest damn heart to go with it.
If you’re ever going to choose someone to be like, dear reader, be like Nate. Think, “What would Nate do?” Because somehow, the old dog just always gets it right.
I wrote that again. Dear reader. I’ve always wondered what name I should give you, who I should write to. I guess now I know.
I’m going to write to you, Freya. I’ll tell you everything you missed, who Nate growls at, who gets Particles outraged, who makes me lose my shit. If I write to you, maybe it will keep me connected to you in some way. Maybe it’s my way of keeping you here, with us.
Yeah, no more “dear reader”.
These chronicles are yours now, Freya, not mine. They’re for you.
I hope you like them.
September 23rd, 2010
DEAR READER
Hey Freya.
I miss you.
Erin.
About the Author
Carl Meadows had his first novel published at the age of 30. Seriously, just one copy. It was a 30th birthday present from a friend and sits in a gift box on his shelf. It was a valiant attempt but needed some serious work, as apparently it contained a social worker with kung fu. For the record, that was not his intention.
Seeing his name on the cover, however, reminded him of what he wanted to do since the age of seven. Working hard at the craft and a million written words later, and with a commendation in the 2019 Manchester Fiction Prize to fire a serious enthusiasm, he got down to business and wrote five novels in two years to tighten his prose. A lover of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror, he likes it when the good guys win through their struggles, and has a day job using his abnormal memory and hyper-organisation as a supply chain guru to make sure lasers get all the bits they need in time for assembly. Pew pew.
Carl is a father of three and lives in the northern English county of Cheshire. Sarcasm is his native language.
His first published novel, 'No More Heroes,' is the opening volume of 'Lockey vs the Apocalypse,' expanding on the world of Chris Philbrook's highly acclaimed and bestselling zombie apocalypse series, 'Adrian's Undead Diary,' with a strong zombie slaying female lead that is one part horror, one part action, one part moving, and many parts laugh out loud.
Follow Carl on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/carlmeadowsauthor
Follow Carl on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/carlmeadowsauthor/
About Chris Philbrook
Chris Philbrook is the Amazon and Audible best-selling author of the Adrian’s Undead Diary series, The Reemergence series, COLONY LOST, and the fantasy world of Elmoryn. Chris has several years of experience working in game development and editing as well as writing fiction for several major game design companies.
Chris has authored ten novels in the horror/post-apocalyptic series Adrian’s Undead Diary, plus five urban fantasy novels in The Reemergence series and three dark fantasy novels in The Kinless Trilogy. His first science fiction novel; COLONY LOST has received stellar reviews. He writes young adult sci-fi under the pen name W.J. Orion.
Chris calls the wonderful state of New Hampshire his home. He is an avid reader, writer, role player, miniatures game player, video game player, husband, and father to two little girls.
Contact: [email protected]
Web: www.thechrisphilbrook.com
Facebook: facebook.com/PhilbrookAuthor
Twitter: @PhilbrookAuthor
Instagram: @PhilbrookAuthor
Also by Carl Meadows
Lockey vs the Apocalypse
No More Heroes
We Will Rise (coming soon)
Lockey part 3 (untitled, tbd)
Dedication
When the night is at its darkest, look for the light of the stars.
“No More Heroes” is dedicated to the two north stars who helped steer me through the darkness when I felt lost. They will never know just how dark that night was, or just how bright they shined.
For Eve and Archie, with all my love.
Dad. x
Acknowledgements
I’d never live it down if I didn’t mention the other two people in my unholy Trinity who have waved the flag for Lockey and Nate from their inception, acting as my primary test readers throughout the creation of this story to make sure I stay on point.
Michael “Mordy” Furmedge has been my best mate for more than half my 44 years on this planet, and also my most brutally honest test reader. Honestly, he’s a nightmare. He’ll also never shut up about it if I don’t mention the fact that a random conversation about dogs at work resulted in the spark of creation for Particles, Lockey’s beloved pug.
Okay Mordy, you’ve got the credit you wanted. You can now officially say, “You’d be nowhere without that damn pug, Meadows!”
You’re welcome.
And Joanne Wood, who has an unhealthy desire to take on the Annie Wilkes role and be my “Number One Fan!” She ensures I regularly check all my doors and windows are secure, the alarm is on, and a melee weapon is within easy reach, while I act as her constant calendar reminder to check if she’s taken her medication today.
You got that published author friend, Jo, okay? Tick it off the list. Just… just don’t make it weird? Okay? OKAY?
Last, and most certainly not least, is Chris Philbrook himself, who has taken a huge leap of faith letting a complete unknown play in his sandbox with my crayons, tongue sticking out the side of my mouth as I make my “thinking face” while I scribble.
I’ve been reading AUD since way back, when it was first an online blog on the interwebs and having the author of one of my all-time favourite series giving me an opportunity to add a little Lockey into Adrian’s world is a huge honour. He has been a tremendous feedback loop, with insightful observations, suggestions, and support—and repeatedly educating an English fellow on
