Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Great review in for Chronicles of Ave, Volume 1 at Page Bites!



I wanted to pass along the first review published for Chronicles of Ave, Volume 1. I'm happy to report that the book received 5 Vampire Bites from Page Bites today, and the reviewer really liked the diversity in the collection of short stories (something I was particularly happy about, because I set out to have a distinct array of stories and settings in this volume).

Here's a wonderful quote from it: " So if you like words that flow off the page, characters that will surprise you and stories that are filled with fantasy and creatures then this set of stories is for you."


Read the full review at:

http://pagebitereviews.blogspot.com/2013/09/ave-here-i-come.html



Monday, September 9, 2013

Desert War eBook Short Story Now Available!

As if the new short story collections, Chronicles of Ave, Volume 1, and Hellscapes, Volume 1, were not enough for a release week, I also had a new short story addition for the Annals of the Rising Dawn Collection!  Been quite busy this past week with these releases, but wanting to make up for some lost time this summer.

This particular story is a stand-alone, but readers familiar with the Rising Dawn Saga and the short story "Temples Rising" will discover some very interesting things within it!  It also has a very eerie relevance to world events happening today, especially with regard to my take, represented in fantastical fashion, of elite interests who foment wars in foreign lands under the banners of things like "nation-building" and "regime change". Below is the cover and official synopsis.  Really hope you enjoy it! It is just 99 cents and is now available on Kindle, Nook, and iBookstore (with Kobo at any time, just waiting for that version to go live)  


DesertWarCover1400X980

Kindle Link: http://www.amazon.com/Desert-Annals-Rising-Dawn-ebook/dp/B00F26IOSW

 Nook Link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/desert-war-stephen-zimmer/1116861462?ean=2940148369455

iBookstore Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/desert-war/id703024646?mt=11

available shortly on Kobo


Synopsis:  “Desert War” tells the story of Saif, a man from the Order tasked with getting an ancient, powerful artifact out of Libu before those serving the Convergence can take it themselves. The nation of Libu is crumbling fast around him, as militant religious zealots backed by the political elite of the Convergence carry out the overthrow of the current regime. The insurgency is just one part of a much wider design, one that has been advancing over millennia, and the artifact must not fall into the wrong hands. With the streets of the capital filled with murderous, brutal insurgents, and being hunted by powerful enemies wielding supernatural arts, Saif has to find a way to get the priceless artifact to safe harbor. “Desert War” is a stand-alone short story that is part of the Annals of the Rising Dawn, a growing collection of tales set in the same history and world as the Rising Dawn Saga novels from Stephen Zimmer.    


Friday, September 6, 2013

Hellscapes Available Now on Kindle and Kobo!



I have new eBook links and some great news!

First, I'm thrilled to be invited to this year's Kentucky Book Fair, taking place this November! :) Going to have several new releases to show at the KBF, which is one of the best book fair events in the United States. Truly exceptional and I can't wait to return!

Hellscapes Volume 1 is out TODAY on eBook. Amazon and Kobo are live as I post this, Nook and iBookstore will be at some point today. But for now, Kindle and Kobo users, my brand new horror collection kicks off here, help me get it started off well! Kindle and Kobo links are:

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Hellscapes-ebook/dp/B00F01WWKA

Kobo
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/hellscapes



Thursday, September 5, 2013

Cover Reveal for Hellscapes, Volume 1!

And now for something completely different, the second announcement of the other new release this week! :) This one is in the horror genre, which will come as no surprise to those who know how much I love Clive Barker, lol (and how much I love Dante's Inferno, Milton's Paradise Lost, etc)  Just know that Hellscapes is very different from my other work.  The stories are very visceral, intense horror in style and theme.  Very timely too, as the two stories book-ending this collection involve powerful political figures who foment wars in foreign lands (Blood Dreams and Lords of War) ... for both there is a price to be paid... ;)   here's the cover and the press release is below:  
Seventh Star Press is proud to unveil the cover art by Matthew Perry for Hellscapes, Volume 1, the first of a brand new horror collection from author Stephen Zimmer.   

The novella-sized release features five stand-alone short stories that have a connection in that all of the tales are set in different aspects of Hell.  Readers can look forward to some recurring characters as the collection unfolds, as well as a wide variety of environments and styles of stories.  

"I'm really excited about this collection," Stephen commented.  "I love the horror genre, as it gives writers some great options for storytelling that are not as readily accessible in other genres.  Some of my fantasy, urban fantasy, and steampunk readers might be surprised about this release, but there are plenty of moments in my other books that show this side of me. I've always been a big fan of the genre, and Clive Barker is one of my all-time favorite authors. Having been long enthralled with more medieval-type depictions of Hell such as Dante's Inferno, and other representations such as can be found in Milton's Paradise lost, I've wanted to explore a theme like this for quite awhile.  This project has been wonderful to undertake and readers can expect much more in the future."  

The eBook will be available on Friday, September 6, and print availability will arrive in the following week.

Here is the official synopsis:   Journey into realms of darkness and explore the regions where angels fear to tread! Welcome to the Hellscapes, featuring tales of the infernal in settings where the horror never ends and the inhabitants experience the ultimate nightmare.  

In “Blood Dreams” follow the tale of a woman who knew great political authority and influence in life, as she discovers the reward awaiting her in the next world.

“The Grove” welcomes a new arrival, a wealthy man who is looking forward to a weekend of indulging in lust and libation, as he has for many years in this secluded convocation for the elite.  Something is different this time, though, and he soon finds that his visit will be taking a very different turn.  

In “The Smallest Fish”, the story is told of a ruthless business mogul who finds himself in an abandoned, ruined version of the city he knew well … in life.  This city won’t be remaining vacant for long.  

“Drowning in Tears” tells the story of a young man’s unhealthy obsession for a suicidal girlfriend that leads him on a path of severe transformation.

The final tale of Volume 1, “Lords of War”, follows the story of a man who wielded military power on a worldwide scale as a Secretary of Defense, who now learns the deeper nature of war and what kinds of monstrosities it breeds.  

 More volumes of Hellscapes are forthcoming.  For further information on Seventh Star Press, please visit www.seventhstarpress.com and for information on the author visitwww.stephenzimmer.com


Seventh Star Press is a publisher of speculative fiction based in Lexington, Kentucky.


Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Chronicles of Ave eBook Links! Available Today!

Chronicles of Ave is now available in eBook formats!

The Kobo and iBookstore versions should be going live at anytime, but the Kindle and Nook versions are available. If you are thinking of getting a copy for the Kindle, please give some thought to picking it up today so that we can make a little bit of a splash over there on Amazon on release day.

here are the links for Kindle and Nook:

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-of-Ave-ebook/dp/B00EYNPRYI

Nook
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chronicles-of-ave-volume-1-stephen-zimmer/1116818186?ean=2940148525844


The print version will be 328 pages and will be out next week!  I'll post when those links are available. :)



Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Chronicles of Ave, Volume 1 Cover Reveal and Story Listing

A personal post here is long overdue, and I do intend to get back on track with some of those, but the first one in that respect is going to be a fairly big one, summarizing the things of the recent past.

I do have a bit of good news to share this week.  The first of two cover reveals and releases, both short story collections.

Press release and cover is below!  hope you enjoy this one!  Writing these short stories is a great deal of fun and gives me a chance to explore Ave further as well!




Press Release:


Seventh Star Press is proud to reveal the cover art by Matthew Perry for Stephen Zimmer's Chronicles of Ave, Volume 1, a brand new collection of fantasy short stories set in the world of Ave that is the primary setting for his Fires in Eden Series.

The new release features six tales, including the novella-length "Winter's Embrace". It will be issued in eBook formats on Wednesday, September 4, with the print version to be released the following week.

The tales are stand-alone short stories that do not require familiarity with the Fires in Eden novels. However, those who have read the novels will find their experience of the world of Ave broadened and deepened.

"These stories give me a chance to explore many things I am only able to briefly mention or reference in the Fires in Eden Series," Stephen explained. "They also give me a chance to allow readers an introduction to areas of Ave that have not been portrayed in the novel series as of yet."

The stories exhibit a range of settings, styles, and characters displaying the diverse kinds of cultures and lands to be found in Ave. Volume 1 features the following tales:

“Into Glory Ride” tells the story of a young Trogen Warrior who is called to go up against insurmountable odds when Elves raid his homeland. The Trogens have only begun training winged steeds for combat, but time is of the essence and a choice has to be made by the young warrior.

In “A Touch of Serenity” a conscript laborer working on a massive wall constructed under the orders of the Divine Emperor begins to hear ghostly voices asking for help. His response leads him on a journey that will test his courage, wisdom, and compassion.

In “Moonlight’s Grace” a young man goes to help his people when a Midragardan raid strikes Gael. He seeks to prove his worth to the chieftain whose daughter he loves with all his heart.


The novella-length “Winter’s Embrace” follows a warrior-monk deep into dangerous woodlands in the heart of winter. There he will find his faith tested in ways he never anticipated, when he must help a forest witch against an enigmatic, immortal being known as the Undying.

“Lion Heart” introduces the heroic Sigananda of the Amazu people, who must confront things that transcend the laws of the physical world when powerful Wizards threaten his homeland.


In “Land of Shadow”, a knight who is part of a band of Avanoran mercenaries discovers how perilous the mysterious Shadowlands are when they undertake a journey to locate a site to build a fortress.


More volumes are forthcoming. For further information on Seventh Star Press, please visit www.seventhstarpress.com and for information on the author visit www.stephenzimmer.com








Seventh Star Press is a publisher of speculative fiction based in Lexington, Kentucky.








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