Thursday, May 27, 2010

Time for Marcon, onward to Columbus!

Looking very much forward to Marcon in Columbus. The Multiple Alternative Realities Convention is a big one, and I am going to be exhibiting, doing a reading and a few panels there. Will be sharing table space with the wonderful author TammyJo Eckhart, as well as Travis Clemmons. Great bunch to be around and work with, I can say for certain.

The outgoing and never-dull Scott Sandridge will be one of the authors doing a reading in the time slot that mine falls in, and I can't wait to see what he's got cooked up. I'm reading an advance copy of one of his new books right now, and really digging it! Scott is probably on 25 panels, as he about set a record at the last ConText (seriously, he was on 6 panel slots in a row during one stretch, and had around 10 panels in all). Scott's very creative and certainly unpredictable.

Others that I'm aware of who are attending include Shane Moore, of the Abyss Walker world. Shane's another guy that I look forward to catching up with, having met him for the first time at ConNooga in Chattanooga TN this past February. He's got a great thing going with his Abyss Walker projects, involving a number of great artists, authors, and others in the various areas that he's developing with AW. Be sure to pick up one of his AW novels if you get a chance.

I'm going to have some materials from The Storm Guardians this weekend, and I will be doing my reading from The Storm Guardians, and it will be good to start to get some feedback. We're about 1 week away from the book launch at Hypericon, which I hope will be an amazing weekend, as I absolutely love Hypericon, my Nashville friends, and the city. I'm following it up with a stop at the great Davis-Kidd store in Memphis on Monday, June 7th. Things are definitely getting busy quick!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Storm Guardian Limited Edition dedicated pre-ordering page is up!

Hey everyone, a little note to let you know that a pre-order page is dedicated to the Limited Edition Hardcover sets of The Storm Guardians....and you can get a softcover pre-ordered if you like.

You should check out the hardcover sets though. we've put EVERYTHING we possibly can into this set. It is about six dollars more than the last Limited set, but that's because we've added a t-shirt, with designs from the new book, into this one! Some very sharp stuff in the package.

here's the addy:

http://www.risingdawnsaga.com/documents/30.html

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Storm Guardians, 2nd Book of Rising Dawn Saga, launching at Hypericon!

Here's the cover art, title, some of the illustrations, and a full press release on the new book!!!



Yes, some good news at last, The Storm Guardians is book two of the Rising Dawn Saga, and I will be launching it at Hypericon, the awesome Nashville Con that I always look forward to each year. I really appreciate Fred Grimm, for allowing me the opportunity (and special thanks to Stephania as well!). This one has a real personal side for me, and to be able to debut the new book at Hypericon is something I'm incredibly happy about.

Be sure to let me know what you think of the new images, artwork, and everything else.

Also, there is a pre-order window up at the Seventh Star Press site for a very cool Limited Edition Hardcover package, which is the best one we've ever been able to put together, as well as pre-orders for the regular trade paperback edition of The Storm Guardians. Only 75 of the limited editions will be made, and the package even includes one of the new t-shirt designs. Please check it out and give some thought to ordering. Get a couple of packages and set them back as Christmas gifts!


So, here's the official press release as posted on the Seventh Star site!

For Immediate Release
May 18, 2010

Stephen Zimmer’s The Storm Guardians, Book Two of the Rising Dawn Saga,
Set For Launch at Hypericon

Seventh Star Press will be launching Stephen Zimmer’s second Rising Dawn Saga novel, The Storm Guardians, at the Hypericon science fiction and fantasy convention in Nashville, TN, taking place from June 4-6, 2010.

Book two in the epic urban fantasy series, the release reflects the commitment of Seventh Star Press to have a new title out each year in the Rising Dawn Saga. The Storm Guardians follows the events and characters introduced in The Exodus Gate, and is an installment full of action and intrigue set in a parallel world very similar to Earth.

With a multi-threaded style that focuses on a diverse range of characters, the novel appeals to readers of epic and urban fantasy alike. The danger rises and the stakes grow throughout all of the story threads in The Storm Guardians: A massive battle looms in the spirit realms, as the Fallen Avatar Beleth's legions pour into the Middle Lands. Babylon Technologies prepares to unveil its greatest invention, a technology that will impact every living being on the face of the world. The shape-shifting An-Ki find themselves in grave peril, as the Night Hunt resumes once again. A small group of high school students make an incredible discovery, even as tensions swirl in a small town over a law enforcement deadlock that causes a sheriff to question his own part in the course of events. The Convergence continues its steadfast march towards a global legal and economic order, using all means at its disposal. The question is: Who will be the guardians against the storm?

The Rising Dawn Saga is just one of two active fantasy series by Stephen Zimmer, whose epic medieval Fires in Eden series was set in motion with the release of Crown of Vengeance, in November of 2009. The second book in the Fires in Eden series is slated for winter of 2010.

Amanda DeBord, chief editor at Seventh Star Press, and who was the editor for Zimmer’s The Exodus Gate and Crown of Vengeance novels, said about the new book, “I'm so excited for the release of The Storm Guardians, and happy to be one of the first to tell readers that they're going to love the developments in this second installment of Zimmer's Rising Dawn Saga. Fans of The Exodus Gate will be happy to see the return of familiar faces, and some real heroes arising from the action. However, Stephen has taken care to ensure that new readers to the series will be able to jump right in to the story.”

The Storm Guardians also continues the artistic collaboration between fantasy artist Matthew Perry and Stephen Zimmer, featuring no less than thirteen brand new, full page illustrations, as well as the cover art. Along with The Exodus Gate and Crown of Vengeance, Matthew has now done more than 40 full page illustrations and three covers in his association with Stephen’s literary works. “Stephen's narratives cover the gamut of deep introspectiveness to epic, world-changing events. To have that range, and to be to able to go in and out of those possibilities, makes it an adventure for me to see what emerges from the empty canvas,” said Matthew.

One of the most active fantasy authors in productivity and appearances, Stephen will be visiting numerous conventions and bookstores throughout 2010 in support of The Storm Guardians and his other literary works and film projects.

The Hypericon visit from June 4-6th in Nashville kicks off the support of The Storm Guardians, along with a June 7th appearance at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Memphis, TN. “I am really honored to be launching the new book at Hypericon, which has always been a wonderful event, with many special friends, readers, and amazing guests, like this year’s guest of honor, a living literary legend, Ramsey Campbell. I’m very thankful to Fred Grimm for this opportunity. I can’t wait to find out what readers think of The Storm Guardians, as I believe it shows how I build upon my foundations in a series. Expect loads of action, and many surprises!” Stephen said.

A special collector’s edition hardcover, limited to 75 copies, is now being offered with a full package of collectibles, with trade paperback, hardcover, Kindle, and eBook editions to follow.

Updates and additional information can be obtained at the official site for Seventh Star Press, at www.seventhstarpress.com , or at the author's site at www.stephenzimmer.com

Hypericon’s official website can be found at: www.hypericononline.com


Contact: C.C. James
Public Relations, Seventh Star Press
ccjames@seventhstarpress.com
Seventh Star Press Mailing Address:
3801 Dylan Place Suite 116, #7
Lexington, Ky. 40514-1062

Seventh Star Press is a small press publisher of speculative fiction located in Lexington Kentucky.

Monday, May 17, 2010

A Rough Week, and a Silver Lining Ahead

Last week was definitely not a good one. My mother had to be hospitalized, at 2am on a 911 call. She was going into some serious tremors, breathing complications, and more, which turned out to be due to a serious blood infection and pneumonia.

She was in the hospital all last week, so I spent quite a bit of time there and had to hold down the fort for her. Thankfully, she was released on the weekend, though she is going to need assistance this week as she was very weakened by the arduous week in the hospital.

I had to end up canceling my trip to Des Moines for DemiCon, which I really was upset about missing. Only something like what happened could keep me away from my appearance committments, but I simply could not leave mom in the situation she was facing.

DemiCon is one of my favorite events in the US, and thankfully they were really understanding, and indicated that I am welcome back next year. I plan on doing something extra for them for sure.

I am also going to see whether I can squeeze in a trip to Des Moines for a book signing in support of the forthcoming 2nd book in the Rising Dawn Saga, so I can at least visit with a few of my friends and readers in the area.

On a brighter note, it looks like new press release is going out tomorrow. Keep an eye out for the announcement here as well. It will involve the new book, and will reveal cover art, title, and illustrations. I'm looking forward to it, as last week really, really was horrid, capped off by the news that Ronnie James Dio, one of my all time favorite heavy metal singers and by all accounts a first rate guy, passed away from cancer. I've been a lifelong fan of his, in all his stuff from the Rainbow days, all of his stints with Black Sabbath, and his incredible solo stuff. Saw him twice live, once solo and once with Black Sabbath in Texas during my college years in the 90's. I still remember loving the heavy metal version of Live Aids that he put together back in the 80's, called Hear n' Aid, where he got guys from bands like Judas Priest, Queensryche, and others to participate. I think that project is one testament to the kind of guy that he was, and may he soar into the heights of "Heaven's Metal" now.

So while I don't feel overly upbeat at the moment, onward and upward with some better news in the next day or so...

Saturday, May 8, 2010

The Week Ahead...New Book Announcement

Last week was great, with the unveiling of Steven L. Shrewbury coming aboard Seventh Star Press. This week is going to be rather exciting as well.

Yes, it is time...the sequel to The Exodus Gate, Book Two of the Rising Dawn Saga, is going to be announced and cover art will be revealed.

The title is going to be launched at Nashville's Hypericon, a great Con that I have come to regard as very special to me. There are a string of appearances following it, during the launch month of the new book, including a stop in Memphis on June 7th, Huntington on June 11, Louisville on June 12, Cincinnati on June 13, Chicago from June 18-20, Lexington (the big homecoming signing) on June 25, and then wrapping up with the fourth of July weekend in Indianapolis.

There WILL be a Limited Edition package offered, as with the other two novels. This one promises to be the best yet. Details are still being sorted out, but I can say that it will be a limited edition hardcover, limited to 75 copies, and will include all of the extras that many have come to enjoy, like the bookmarks, poster, card sets, and glossy cover arts...but wait...there's more...

this one will include a t-shirt as well, the first design from the new book. We are working with our pals at Fast Custom Shirts to integrate this into the package. It will feature one of the illustrations in the new book (artwork by Matthew Perry), and will be on a pre-shrunk, 100% cotton shirt. Those getting the limited edition package can specify their size.

As I've said before, I'm willing to go the extra mile, and a few miles beyond that, to deliver the best quality releases and related items that I can. It is my way of demonstrating my deep regard for my readers, who I never take lightly or for granted. It is why I work relentlessly to keep to a schedule whereby my two primary series (Rising Dawn Saga and Fires in Eden) will each have new titles on roughly 1 year cycles, and why I push myself as hard as I can to maintain a very active convention and appearance schedule. I hope that my readers appreciate the new package.

Expect a lot in the coming months...the new book, a slew of new appearances, the new resin-cast figure series being debuted, my first film project as a director related to fantasy, and more. I wouldn't have it any other way! Join me for the ride, and let's make it a wild and wonderful one!

Friday, May 7, 2010

Steven L. Shrewsbury Aboard the Publisher I'm With!

Definitely in a great mood with the public announcement that Steven L. Shrewsbury, a first-class guy and fantastic fantasy/horror author, is now with Seventh Star Press.

I remember meeting Steven for the first time at the 2008 version of Hypericon, a little less than a year out from the release of my first novel, The Exodus Gate. He was a great panelist, and I went up to talk to him afterwards, and found him to be approachable and helpful. He had some great advice on working with bookstores that I was able to use very effecively when my own book got released.

I also picked up HAWG, a horror/thriller tour de force, with a monster of the like that I have not encountered since Clive Barker's Rawhead Rex.

He's had a truckload of tales published, and his recent novels have been through some excellent small presses like Graveside Tales and Lachesis publishing, and, of course, he had a short story in Harlan County Horrors, from Apex Publications, which is one of my favorite small presses of all ( Jason Sizemore, the head honcho there, has great vision, tenacity, and has really progessed Apex forward)

Steven is now aboard Seventh Star Press. The full press release is here:

http://www.seventhstarpress.com/documents/press_releases.html

His new novel Thrall involves the Nephilim, supernatural forces, and is set in the ancient world. His style is, like the press release says, in the vein of guys like Robert E. Howard (the Conan guy) and David Gemmell (whose book Legend is a fantasy classic)

I am looking forward to working with him to promote our work together. He's a self-starter, and rarin' to move forward, which is music to my ears.

I'll keep everyone posted about how Steven's book is coming along and when the release is. He's working with editor Louise Bohmer, and Matt Perry, who has done all my cover art and illustrations, will be doing art for Thrall.

Interesting side note on Louise...she's an editor that Amanda DeBord (SSP's head editor) wanted to bring in to do SSP projects as the roster and catalog expands. Well, it just turned out that Louise did Steven's last novel, Tormentor, and that the two of them really clicked working together. Small world, isn't it?

Anyhow, I've been helping with getting the news about Steven out, as there are two of us involved with PR activities, but it is worth it as Shrewsbury is one of the true gems in the fantasy/horror scene. I'm wishing him the best and I hope you all check him and his work out! (and get Thrall when it is unleashed!)

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