Race The Undead: Ballymena author launches post-apocalyptic thriller set in Mid & East Antrim

Pictured: Ballymena author Jonathan Traynor, and the front cover of his latest book.

Ballymena journalist-turned-author Jonathan Traynor has released his third book, Race The Undead — a fast-paced post-apocalyptic adventure with much of its action unfolding in his home town and across Mid and East Antrim.

The novel imagines a world devastated by an epidemic, where most of the population is either dead or transformed into zombies. Against this backdrop, a small group of survivors races to find sanctuary, navigating threats not only from the undead but also from human adversaries.

Jonathan said the initial spark for the story came during a walk past Ballymena’s motte and bailey.

“Inspiration for the story came some time ago when walking my dog past the motte and bailey in Ballymena, and wondering about the Norman earl standing atop it in the 12th century,” he explained. “I wondered what a modern-day leader would think standing atop this impressive feature, and what would be the worst circumstances they could face?”

Set across familiar landscapes in Mid and East Antrim, the book follows a rag-tag group of survivors striving to reach safety, while a military force is ordered to stop them.

“The people in the book react in different ways to the dire situation they face,” Jonathan said. “Some emerge as leaders, some resort to darkness, and some take their role to the extreme.”

The plot builds towards a tense dash to Ballycastle, where the survivors hope to secure refuge in Iceland — but face the looming threat of a military leader determined to prevent them from reaching the harbour.

Published by Excalibur Press, Race The Undead follows Jonathan’s debut short story collection Watching the Watched (2017).

Publisher Tina Calder praised Jonathan’s storytelling:

“Having worked with Jonathan for many years, I’ve always admired his ability to truly understand his audience. Whether through journalism, storytelling, or now this gripping post-apocalyptic adventure, Race The Undead is a bold and fast-paced read that showcases not only his talent as a writer, but also his deep understanding of character and place.”

Jonathan, whose career in journalism and public relations spans more than 30 years, has two more books planned for release in 2025.

“They say there is a book in everyone,” he reflected.

“I’m never going to be Stephen King, but I hope my tales will entertain many readers.”

Race The Undead is available now from excaliburpress.co.uk and Amazon.