The Lost Diaries of John Smith

“Imagine the world ending as told 20 years after the event. The Lost Diaries of John Smith was written by Amy Cooper on an old typewriter in 2035. She was born in 2010 and survived a devastating firestorm that killed countless millions in 2014. This is her story.  Her prose is first hand and accompanies the lost diaries of the man who saved her life.  The Lost Diaries of John Smith is acknowledged to be the best written account of survival in a post-apocalyptic Scotland.  It also highlights the secretive mining operations by both man and alien.”

The premise behind The Lost Diaries of John Smith is that on the morning of 14th May 2014 most of Europe and North Africa will be consumed by a massive firestorm that kills countless millions and changed humanity forever. Scotland survives the conflagration, but food becomes scarce and starvation beckons. At first many think the UK was devastated by a massive, pre-emptive nuclear attack, but weeks later and survivors start to report seeing large flying objects over Southern Scotland and Northern England.

The book started with a simple notion, namely what if…? What if the world ended. No warning, just a massive firestorm and pain and death and then darkness. Add aliens. Add salvation. Add government conspiracy and cover-up and that‘s the basis of The Lost Diaries of John Smith.  

Phillip Rhodes is a professional author, photographer, film-maker and graphic artist. He is passionate about what he creates, including his new Science Fiction book, "The Lost Diaries of John Smith".

Phillip Rhodes was born in an RAF Hospital in 1965 and grew up on a number of military bases, both in the UK and abroad. His childhood obsession with war films, Dad's Army and Airfix models was almost, but not quite, surpassed by his interest in Science Fiction.

From an early age he was exposed to the very best in British Science Fiction including Quatermass, Thunderbirds, Blake's 7, The Tomorrow People, The Day of the Triffids and Dr Who. He also adds The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Red Dwarf to his list of favourites. He is also a ardent fan of Steven Spielberg.

Although praised for his clean style of prose, he was illiterate through most of his childhood, only becoming confident in his writing ability well after leaving school. He has written for newspapers and magazines, while his photographs have appeared in numerous publications, including The Guardian (UK).

Of The Lost Diaries of John Smith one reviewer wrote: "This is an remarkable story with characters who live with you well after you have finished the book. I wanted to know more about their lives after the story ended. I couldn't put it down and heartily recommend it to anyone who likes a great tale."