Stephen isn’t only a great writer and storyteller, but also a movie-maker and a damned fine person – always friendly, approachable and supportive of all things SFF. 🙂
Let’s get into the details of what’s new from Stephen:
HELLSCAPES – VOLUME 1
Here are the details of the collection – which is Horror!:
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.
There are six stories in this collection, including the novella ‘Winter’s Embrace‘ – you don’t have to have read ‘The Fires in Eden Series’ to enjoy this collection, but you will probably appreciate the collection more if you have. 😉
As always, keep checking out Stephen’s official site for updates on his work, as well as info on when the print editions of Hellscapes and Chronicles of Ave will be available. 🙂
I’m extremely chuffed for Stephen – the man is not only a hard-writing author but also puts in a lot of effort for Seventh Star Press, and the win is definitely highly deserved! Congratulation, Stephen! 🙂
Some great info from Stephen Zimmer! 🙂 The second novel in his Fires of Eden series in on the way, and I’ve got some awesome material for you; but first, here’s the book trailer for Dream of Legends:
And here’s the awesome cover (artwork by Matthew Perry):
I’ve also got some artwork for you from the novel, also done by the incredible Matthew Perry:
Awesome suff! Dream of Legends is available for pre-order, and there are Limited Edition hardcover copies available for collectors as well as trade paperback editions; check out all the info you need at this link. 🙂
For those who would like to catch up on Stephen’s work on their eReaders, here’s the link you need. 🙂
Stephen will be sending me a copy of Dream of Legends and I’ll be reading and reviewing it as soon as I’ve finished Crown of Vengeance. If you’d like to check out my review of Stephen’s first novel, The Exodus Gate, follow this link; I highly recommend Stephen’s work, that’s for sure. 🙂 And for more info about Stephen and his work (he’s a film-maker, too), check out his website.
Hey Guys and Girls, got some news for you from Seventh Star Press, courtesy of Stephen Zimmer – new authors and books incoming! Enjoy. 🙂
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For Immediate Release
October 27, 2010
Seventh Star Press Proudly Announces the Acquisition of Award-Winning Author Jackie Gamber’s Leland Dragon Series
Seventh Star Press is proud to announce the addition of award winning author Jackie Gamber to its family of writers, with the acquisition of her YA Fantasy saga, The Leland Dragon Series.
The first book of the series, Redheart, was originally released by Meadowhawk Press, an exceptional small press publisher based in Memphis, TN, one of only four indie presses to ever win a Philip K. Dick Memorial Award (for the David Walton novel, Terminal Mind). When Meadowhawk Press decided to close its business operations, Seventh Star Press was thrilled to have the opportunity to sign Jackie Gamber, and commit to the entire Leland Dragon Series.
“I’ll always have a heart for indy press, and Seventh Star is the epitome of what it’s about: dedication to a vision and enthusiasm for writers. Seventh Star Press is an exciting ride, and I’m thrilled they offered me a seat,” commented Jackie about coming aboard with the Lexington, Kentucky-based publisher.
A wondrous coming of age tale, Redheart tells the stories of village girl Riza Diantus, and the dragon Kallon Redheart. Both are outcasts, struggling with the conventions of their respective societies, during an age in which tensions are high between dragons and humans. The Leland Province teeters on the edge of war, as the Dragon Council Leader, Fordon Blackclaw, seeks to drive humans into submission, or outright destruction. Under a blackening cloud of danger, the friendship grows between Riza and Kallon, as both face their respective destinies, embracing a host of challenges and threats, not the least of which includes regaining hope, and confronting the difficult things of one’s past.
Jackie Gamber is a versatile and prolific writer, whose work has appeared in an array of anthologies and magazines, in addition to published novels. Among her accolades, Jackie was the winner of the 2009 Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award for Imaginative Fiction, was named honorable mention in L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Award, and has been selected as the Editor Guest of Honor for the 2011 MidSouthCon, one of the southern United States’ premiere genre conventions.
“Jackie truly embodies the spirit of the growing family at Seventh Star Press,” fellow Seventh Star Press author Stephen Zimmer said. “Her talent as a writer is well established, and she is a very popular, well-loved guest at conventions and events, in addition to being a dedicated educator. She will be a fantastic ambassador for Seventh Star Press, and I know that everyone here, from our editors like Amanda Debord, to our art director Matthew Perry, to authors like myself and Steven Shrewsbury, will be fully committed to raising awareness of Jackie and her exceptional work.”
The Seventh Star Press edition will feature cover art and additional illustrations from fantasy artist Matthew Perry, whose work has been rapidly gaining attention on the convention circuit. The projected release date window for the new edition of Redheart is late February / March of 2011, in hardcover, trade paperback, and several eBook formats, covering owners of the Kindle, the iPad, the Nook, Sony eReaders, and other electronic reading devices.
Sela, Book Two of the series, is targeted for a mid-late summer release in 2011, with Book Three scheduled for mid-2012 release in all of the aforementioned formats.
An extensive series of special events and signings in support of the novels are in the planning stages, slated to begin in early 2011.
Contact: C.C. James
Public Relations, Seventh Star Press
ccjames(at)seventhstarpress(dot)com
And…!
Meet Gorias La Gaul
For Immediate Release
November 5, 2010
Seventh Star Press Proudly Introduces Steven L. Shrewsbury’s Thrall.
Seventh Star Press is proud to announce the release of THRALL, the new heroic fantasy novel from author Steven L. Shrewsbury.
Now available for pre-order in limited edition hardcover and trade
paperback, THRALL is the first published adventure of a brand new hero in fantasy literature, Gorias La Gaul.
Set in an ancient world, Thrall is gritty, dark-edged heroic fantasy in
the vein of Robert E. Howard and David Gemmell. It tells the story of
Gorias La Gaul, an aging warrior who has lived for centuries battling the
monstrosities of legend and lore. It is an age when the Nephilum walk the earth, and dragons still soar through the air … living or undead. On a journey to find one of his own blood, Gorias’ path crosses with familiar
enemies … some of whom not even death can hold bound.
Having also worked with Steven on his novel Tormentor (Lachesis
Publishing), Louise Bohmer served as the editor on Thrall. “Working with
Steven Shrewsbury on a novel is an enjoyable experience. Steve is a
conscientious author who is easy to work with. His stories are grand
adventures in imagination,” Bohmer commented.
Steven Shrewsbury is a rising star in fantasy, with a host of published
work spanning novels, magazines, anthologies, and other publications. In addition to the release of THRALL, Steven recently saw his collaboration with Nate Southard, BAD MAGICK, published in hardcover by Bloodletting Press. He has two other highly-anticipated releases on the horizon. His collab novel with Peter Welmerink, BEDLAM UNLEASHED, was recently accepted by Belfire Press for an early 2011 release. The novel HELL BILLY is to be published by Bad Moon Books in 2012.
“Sometimes I think Steven Shrewsbury could very well be the reincarnation of Robert E. Howard, in a writing sense,” commented fellow Seventh Star Press author Stephen Zimmer. “As a huge fan of David Gemmell and Robert E. Howard, I can say with absolute confidence that Steven Shrewsbury is exceptional at writing dark-edged heroic fantasy. It is not an exaggeration to say that Gorias La Gaul could one day join the heroic fantasy pantheon with Conan, Druss the Legend, and other legendary fantasy figures. I can’t wait to read more adventures with Gorias in the future.”
The Seventh Star Press editions feature cover art and additional
illustrations from fantasy artist Matthew Perry. The limited edition
packages feature the artwork in a special set of 5X7 glossy prints, a set of bookmarks, and a full-sized Gorias poster that come with every
pre-ordered hardcover or trade paperback.
By the first week of December, the book will be available in hardcover,
trade paperback, and several eBook formats, for owners of the Kindle, the iPad, the Nook, Sony eReaders, and other compatible electronic reading devices.
An extensive series of special events and signings in support of THRALL
are in the planning stages, slated to begin in early 2011.
Contact: C.C. James
Public Relations, Seventh Star Press
ccjames(at)seventhstarpress(dot)com
And here’s the book trailer for Thrall:
::
Gotta say I’m looking forward to both of these books – not only have I been indulging in YA and really enjoying the genre, but Thrall also sounds like a helluva lot of fun. 🙂
Hey guys and girls, I thought I’d show you some of the cool book trailers I’ve had a chance to see – I’m sure you’ll forgive me for forcing you to use up some of your bandwidth, eh? 😉
It’s taken me a long while but I’ve finally finished The Exodus Gate. 🙂
The Exodus Gate is a massive mixture of genres and ideas with an intricate plot and many characters. The story unfolds entirely in alternate worlds – an Earth (named Terra, in the novel) much like ours in its past and present, and the realms of the Abyss and Purgatarion, and it is, at its core, an End of the World novel, touching on much that we as humans have interpreted the Book of Revelations in the Bible to represent – the rising in power and influence of the Dark while the Light makes ready to take a stand.
The story begins in Hell, or the Abyss; a host of Avatars and fell beasts (Angels and demons of various kinds) are preparing to assault the Middle Lands, the realm in which Purgatarion (Purgatory) and the White City (Heaven) are situated. It is their intention to fight the hosts of Adonai (God) on behalf of their lord and master, Diabolos, The Shining One (Satan), and overthrow Adonai as the ruler of all realms.
Down on Terra, a massive cast of characters, human and non-human, begin to move onto the paths that will allow them the hope and ghost of a chance to play their part against the powers that follow Diabolos on Terra.
The first thing that caught my attention about this immense novel (in both scope and vision) was the ease with which Stephen was able to conjure the incredible imagery of the Abyss and its denizens in my mind. His descriptions are intense and lengthy (one of the draw backs, but more on that later) and make it easy to place yourself in the landscapes and places where the characters interact and tell the tale.
Purgatarion is my favorite realm – it was immediately apparent to me that Stephen put plenty of thought into what kind of place Purgatarion is, what happens there and why, etc Terra, too, was masterfully imagined – every institution and country as was as the details that keep everything running were present, leading me to practically a full immersion in the world. Terra is what our world could become if some things went awry or were manipulated in a certain way and there were plenty of echoes that made me really curious about events in our own world. 🙂
The characters peopling The Exodus Gate are many and varied; there are humans (the core cast being Benedict Darwin, his niece Arianna, the friends Seth and Jonathan, and the scary and intensely devoted Dagian and Xavier), An-Ki (a race of wolf-like sentients who lived during the time in which the Great Flood occurred), Avatars, Nephilim, and many more besides.
The humans are well-realized and colourful – Benedict, who runs a radio show dealing with those subjects commonly attributed to Urban Legends, is asked by a friend to test a new gaming system, and is immediately taken with its incredible attention to detail and reality. It is through this game that Benedict meets the An-Ki, and is drawn into the larger tale; Arianna comes to visit him, tries out the game while he’s at work, and also interacts with the An-Ki;
Seth and Jonathan are teenagers who decide to go out on a camping trip, coming into contact with beings they never even knew existed;
Dagian and Xavier are but parts of a plan that were set in motion hundreds of years ago (and thousands, in the case of the Avatars) and are linked to yet more characters;
The result is that the tale being told is huge, encompassing many different points of view (I mean that literally, not in terms of writer-jargon); the characters each had an arc that not only let me get to know them all a bit but which also revealed more about the tale – some of the characters are absolutely pivotal to events, others are pivotal to other characters, and I felt they were all handled very well. 🙂
There is also plenty and action in the novel, taking many different forms, and many events that were pretty awesome to witness, especially where the Avatars were concerned, and the scenes conjured have an almost movie set-piece-fell to them.
One thing that I did struggle with, though, is that Stephen seems to explain and describe a bit too much in certain cases. Some scenes, and much of the dialogue, could have done with shortening and tightening up – some of the descriptions came across as a bit too detailed and in these cases some of the rhythm of reading was interrupted, but it didn’t happen too much or in a way that overshadowed the tale – I was still captured completely by Stephen’s vision and really enjoyed the novel. 🙂
If you’re looking for a a novel that deals with the events pertaining to Revelations and the end of the world in the Bible but don’t want to be innundated with Bible-quotes and the like, and want to discover new worlds and realms with interesting and incredible creatures, then The Exodus Gate is for you. Stephen has created worlds that enthralled me and characters that intrigued me – the kind of thing that every writer aspires to do. 🙂
I give The Exodus Gate a resounding 8 / 10 – incredibly imaginative and highly enjoyable, and I really looking forward to Book 2, The Storm Guardians.
I’m on the cusp of finishing the first book in Stephen Zimmer’s The Rising Dawn Saga, The Exodus Gate, and I’m really enjoying the book – Stephen has great vision and his tale is really epic in scope, so it’s definitely great news that the second book in the series, The Storm Guardians, is on the way. 🙂 Here’s the cover, and check out the details below the cover.
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.
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.
To sweeten this post, I’ve got some of Matthew Perry’s artwork for you to enjoy!
Awesome stuff, right? 🙂 Keep an eye out for more – I’ll be posting the rest of the artwork that Stephen sent me leading up to HyperiCon. 🙂
Be EPIC!
P.S. Apologies once again for the formatting – still a problem, as you can see.
Seventh Star Press Announces New Steven L. Shrewsbury Novel
Seventh Star Press is proud to announce the addition of Fantasy/Horror writer Steven L. Shrewsbury to its family of authors, with the forthcoming release of the dark-edged fantasy novel Thrall.
Thrall tells the tale of Gorias La Gaul, an aging warrior who is thrust into a maelstrom involving warring factions, demonic forces from his past, and a grandson who is in the shadow of necromancy. Set in an antediluvian world, around the mythical city of Khabnur, Thrall brings to life a tale of adventure, adversity, and courage. From Nephilums to undead dragons, the world revealed in Thrall is as dangerous and unpredictable as much as it delivers resoundingly to those who love well-crafted, hard hitting fantasy in the vein of Robert E. Howard and David Gemmell.
Shrewsbury is no stranger to fantasy and horror fans, with a great number of novels and short stories published. Some of his recent, well-received works include the novels Tormentor (Lachesis Publishing), Hawg (Graveside Tales) and Stronger Than Death (Snuff Books). He also had a short story recently published in the anthology Harlan County Horrors (Apex Publications).
Amanda DeBord, editor-in-chief at Seventh Star Press, commented on the acquisition of Thrall: “I’m so excited to add Steven Shrewsbury to the Seventh Star label. Steven’s a prolific writer, and he’s got a ton of fans already, but I hope we’re able to introduce him to some new readers. From the first few paragraphs of Thrall, I knew the story was in very capable hands. Gorias, the main character, is the fantasy-lovers’ John Wayne,
though with a harder edge. All of the characters are real and engaging, and Shrewsbury tells their story as if he were there to watch it all happen. This is going to be a hit.”
Thrall will reunite Shrewsbury with editor Louise Bohmer, who worked with him on his novel Tormentor (Lachesis Publishing). Bohmer is also a familiar figure in the publishing world, with a host of editing credits spanning novels to short fiction and anthologies. The chemistry and previous history between the author and editor forecasts an outstanding first edition of the book.
“”It’s a pleasure to edit for Steven Shrewsbury. A walk through one of his
novels is a thrilling adventure, often with a breathless pace that makes you feel as if you’ve lived a part of the story with its hero,” said Bohmer, in regards to working with Shrewsbury again.
The book will feature cover art and additional artwork from fantasy artist Matthew Perry, whose illustrations and cover art are featured in both The Rising Dawn Saga and the Fires in Eden series from author Stephen Zimmer
(Seventh Star Press).
The projected release date window for Thrall is October/November of 2010. A special, short-run limited edition hardcover will be offered with a package of collectibles, with trade paperback, hardcover, Kindle, and
eBook editions to follow.
Hey everyone, here’s another spotlight for you about a novel that is sure to start grabbing attention – not only is it written by a great author (I’m reading this at the moment, and enjoying it) but it’s also the launch of a new series. 🙂 Here’s some info about the book for you all:
***
Begin an Epic Journey…
On a night that begins no different from any other, strange mists engulf Janus Roland, Erika Laesig, Mershad Shahab, and several others going about their lives in a quiet midwestern town. When the mist dissipates, they all find themselves looking up into the bright skies of a new, incredible world.
Without explanation of why it has happened, or any notion of where they are, they embark upon a grand adventure within the fantastical world of Ave. Some find themselves in the lands of the Saxan Kingdom, while others have emerged within the lands of the Onan, one of the tribes in the Five Realms confederation.
Storms of war loom over both Saxany and the Five Realms, as invasion forces mass under the inspiration of The Unifier, a mysterious, captivating figure whose influence has swept across the surface of Ave ever since His rise to power in the Gallean duchy of Avanor. It is a war that will be fought in the skies, upon the seas, on land, and even in places non-physical in nature.
A majestic, epic fantasy that begins many adventures and journeys across a diverse and enthralling world, filled with races and creatures both familiar and new, Crown of Vengeance lights the flame of the Fires in Eden series, bringing to life a bold, far-ranging, and grand new venture within the realms of fantasy literature.
Pre-Order Announcement for Crown of Vengeance:
Seventh Star Press proudly announces the release of Crown of Vengeance, the first book in the new epic fantasy series Fires in Eden, by author Stephen Zimmer (The Exodus Gate).
To commemorate the forthcoming release, publisher Seventh Star Press is offering pre-order packages for Crown of Vengeance, including a very special, limited edition hardcover version that is strictly limited to 100 copies.
To ensure full authenticity, the limited edition hardcover will be hand-numbered and signed by Stephen Zimmer, and also signed by editor Amanda DeBord and illustrator/cover artist Matt Perry. It will include an extra illustration, and designation plate as a limited edition within the book.
Both the limited edition hardcover and first edition trade paperback pre-orders come with a special package of collectibles, including a numbered set of art cards, a collectible set of 12 bookmarks, and a full color poster of the cover art.
Information on the pre-ordering options can be found at the new site for the Fires In Eden series, located at www.firesineden.com
As a further treat for you all, Stephen has sent me an exclusive illustration to post here that’ll be appearing in the book – revealed here for the first time!
This is definitely something I’m looking forward to reading!
M.D. Thalmann, a novelist and freelance journalist with an affinity for satire and science fiction, lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife, children, and ornery cats, reads too much and sleeps too little.
Dave de Burgh 