Who to thank first? Doctor Who, I think. It drove me nuts as a kid that guns seemed to have no effect at all on monsters. Like, why did Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart and UNIT even bother? The Dave Hooper series is an attempt, in part, to rectify that.
I’d also like to thank the producers of Reign of Fire, who annoyed me greatly with movie posters promising all sorts of dragon vs. helicopter gunship awesomeness. And failed to deliver.
Less flippantly, I have to thank my ur-Champion publishers Tricia Narwani, Cate Paterson, Haylee Nash, and the incomparable Alex Lloyd, who all took up sword and shield with me on this long, strange quest.
To my wizardly agent, Russ ur Galen dar SGG, I offer tribute from the highest blood pot.
And for my armsman, SF Murphy, acknowledgment of his skill with blades and fire staff. His gurikh is second to none.
Finally, for my nestlings, Jane, Anna, and Thomas … You are my Realm.