Stephen Zimmer's Blog: Stephen Zimmer's Blog, page 5

A Response to False Accusations Brought to My Attention

I had it brought to my attention that there were some who felt that I harbored fascist sympathies due to a blog post that I wrote a couple of years ago, involving issues of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the noxious crime of pedophilia involving a controversial arrest in the United Kingdom of a highly controversial person named Tommy Robinson,  following his reporting outside the courtroom on a court case involving a large grooming gang (a stage involved in the process of organized pedophilia, a crime among the most abhorrent to me).  The particular grooming gang was affiliated with those of an extremist view in the Islamic faith, which also brought that issue into the discussion.

I knew nothing about Tommy previously.  I simply heard about an independent citizen journalist who had been arrested and imprisoned in the same day for reporting publicly available information outside a courthouse and it deeply bothered me. 

Nothing could be further from reality and the truth than the claim that I harbor fascist sympathies. As anyone that knows me or has read any of my work knows, I have always been focused on themes involving freedom and natural rights, which are the bedrock of civil rights and the antithesis of fascism/authoritarianism/totalitarianism. 

I have always been the kind of person who will defend rights of free expression and freedom of press, even in situations where the speech may be offensive in nature, or the messenger may be highly unpopular, offensive, or intensely disliked in the mainstream public.

In this particular post, I had believed that I had made it clear in stating that the issue of the UK government’s arrest and imprisonment in the same day of someone for exercising the natural right of free expression (and by extension free press activity) is something that everyone should be revolted by, whether you are of a liberal, centrist, or conservative persuasion.  That certainly is not a pro-fascist statement position to take, just a matter of principle.  

At the time I made the post, I saw that many various labels had been applied to Tommy, and from what I saw at the time of the writing, I could see that he was on the political right, a strident nationalist (but I didn’t see any ethnic nature to that at the time), and that he had undertaken a very specific focus on Islamic extremists and the pedophilia/grooming gang issue.  I did not see anything in his reporting regarding that case that were of a racial nature and I did not know about any support of white nationalism, something that I reject as an advocate of individual freedom.  I just knew he was very controversial and deemed offensive by many in the UK, but I still felt this situation involved a clear violation of individual rights.

I wrote the post in that light.  My motivation involved the issue of free speech and freedom of the press, the danger of labels, and defending citizen journalism.  It was not ever intended to be an advocacy of any particular political ideology or organization, and certainly not fascism or white nationalism.  When I wrote the post, I had thought that a few of the labels did not appear to fit Tommy Robinson based on what I saw involving the courtroom incident. 

I did have some additional criticism intending to focus on religious extremism involved with the grooming gangs, as I have always had a problem with that, whether of an Islamic nature, Christian, or otherwise, due to the violations of women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, and many other rights that always come with extremist religious positions.  That is consistent with the principles I have always upheld and again, is another form of opposition to fascist-style behavior.  It was not intended to be a commentary on all practitioners of Islam, just the radical end of the spectrum that advocates violence, strict imposition of Sharia Law, and things of that nature. 

I am very sorry if I did not get that across clearly in the post, but I was very upset about the grooming gang issue when I wrote it.  To be clear, I find Islamophobia repugnant and I have always embraced the freedom of religion within my core principles.

At that time, I saw that many others in the world were very bothered by this arrest incident as well, including the pop icon Morrissey, who is anything but a supporter of fascism.  Like myself, he was bothered at the egregious use of government authority in this matter.  Seeing figures like Morrissey also bothered by it reinforced my perception reflected in the blog post.

As it was a matter of principle in my eyes, I had tweeted criticism of a conservative political figure (known for Brexit) named Nigel Farage in which I had called Tommy the “greater man” of the two.  Nigel is white, so it was certainly not any kind of white supremacy statement in any way, but a reaction at the time what I thought was cowardice on the part of Nigel to not address the authoritarian-style arrest and imprisonment/incarceration in a single day of Robinson for relaying publicly available information outside a courthouse.  That was always the source of my anger with that incident.

After a few months, I removed the blog post upon learning more about Tommy Robinson’s past association with a more extreme group, the EDL, precisely because I did NOT want people to misconstrue or misinterpret what I was seeking to discuss in that post, and to ever think I was championing anything beyond a defense of free expression, a free press, and a condemnation of misuse of government authority, religious extremism, and grooming gangs.

I am deeply saddened that anyone would think otherwise of me.

As someone who has indigenous (Native American) heritage (Blackfeet Nation), along with my other heritages, I am certainly not one to ever support a racist ideology, like those of the KKK or Neo-nazi organizations, or white nationalist groups.

All of my lifelong creative work and my actions bear this out.

The Imaginarium Convention has always been a tolerant, welcoming, and wholly inclusive event, a safe and nurturing environment for all people that was intentionally developed, protected, and emphasized since the beginning.  Our press has supported and created opportunities for members of the LGBTQ community and individuals of various ethnic backgrounds, several of whom have been cherished parts of our core family for years with both the convention and the press.  My record in this area stands clear.

Anyone that has worked with me or spent time in person with me, and knows my history, knows that I was brought up by a mother and father who were scientists that always had friendships with people of all backgrounds, ever since the earliest days I can remember.

Racism and fascism are both things that I categorically reject and have never been a part of.  They are both things that I have always opposed.

I am very sorry that this blog post I that I retracted long ago, which lingered in a Google-cache and showed still on a feed despite being taken down from my blog site, has been taken in a light in which it was never intended.  To be clear and reiterate, it was only a condemnation of what I saw as authoritarian (and genuinely fascist) behavior on the part of a government to suppress an individual’s right to free expression and defense of freedom of the press, along with some criticism of grooming gangs and extremist religious ideology.  Again, at the time, I did not know the full history of Tommy Robinson and some of his past associations.    

I also had it brought to my attention that my recent absence online, in light of the events now happening nationally, has also been seen as some kind of tacit support of fascism. 

To that I can only say that I have been extremely ill for the past two weeks, I had a comprehensive blood test that revealed a serious medical situation, and that my activity has been greatly affected by that as I have had to get expedited doctor appointments and treatments going.  I have greatly reduced my time spent online as a result as all those I interact with regularly know and can testify to.

I was not in any kind of condition to be continuing with my livestreams, making extensive posts, or anything of a more significant nature, period.  It has been a great struggle for me to simply be a co-host on our weekly podcast and I almost had to cancel last week.  I have chosen not to talk in detail about that blood test as I did not want anyone to worry too much as most know I had a month and a half bout with Covid-19 covering March and much of April.

I absolutely stand against racism and fascism, and like everyone I was utterly saddened, angered, and disgusted with the tragedies involving George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others.  I have ALWAYS been a person for whom black lives matter, as that is who I am.  My reduced presence online was merely a matter of battling an illness, and nothing more.  

I am also a very accessible and approachable person, and I would hope that anyone that had any questions or concerns about anything that I ever wrote would know they can reach out to me to discuss any matter.  I do not have any problem addressing concerns and would have been glad to take the time to explain what I have here, to a group or to individuals.

I hope that in the future those having concerns would reach out to me rather than have come to a conclusion such as this.

It is my sincere hope that this response will be received in the spirit of goodwill that it is intended to be, and that it explains the situation in full.

Most sincerely,

-Stephen Zimmer

Winners Announced for the Recent When Shadows Fall Contest!

I want to congratulate all the winners in the recent contest for the release of When Shadows Fall. I will be contacting all the winners individually, but here is the full list! Thank you to everyone for participating and I hope you love your adventures with Rayden Valkyrie!

Full Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy Signed

Desiree Reilly

When Shadows Fall Signed

John McColley 

Oliver Bowdoin

Darlene Owen  

Full Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy in eBook

Yevhennii Pokutnii

Alec Brownie 

When Shadows Fall eBook

B.N.

Dan Oliveira

Vicki Wurgler

A Rayden Valkyrie eBook Novella (of winner’s choice)

Debra Larson Branigan

Angel Heaps

Willy Brownie

Daniel M.

Dynal Roberson

Enter a Free Contest for a Chance at Rayden Valkyrie Print and eBook Prizes!

Enter the free contest for a chance to win Rayden Valkyrie print and eBook prizes! You can get many bonus entries for following book blogs that participated on my recent blog tour for When Shadows Fall!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to see all the activities from the recent blog tour or When Shadows Fall, the third and final book in the Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy! These direct links will take you to some guest posts and interviews with Stephen that took place during the blog tour!

Interview at MyLifeMyBooksMyEscape

Guest Post “How It Feels to Have a Series Wrapped Up” at Armed With a Book

Guest Post “Ten Things About Ravden Valkyrie’s World” at Armed With a Book

Guest Post “Thoughts on Adaptations From Page to Screen” at Sapphyria’s Books

Interview at Jazzy Book Reviews

Guest Post “A Figure of Self-Empowerment” at She Leads, he Reads

Guest Post “What is It About 3’s and Trilogies” at Sheila’s Guests and Reviews

Interview at The Book Junkie Reads

Cover Reveal for When Shadows Fall, the Conclusion to the Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy!

I am very excited to share the new cover art by award-winning artist Bonnie Wasson for When Shadows Fall, the final installment in the Dark Sun Dawn! When Shadows Fall will be released in print and eBook editions on Monday, December 2nd!

A spectacular finale to the trilogy, When Shadows Fall is a novel that readers of sword and sorcery, fantasy, and dark fantasy will love! A Kindle pre-order window will be opened shortly!

Synopsis of  When Shadows Fall :

When shadows fall, the dominion of light reigns.

Rayden Valkyrie and her companions enter the Imperial City, the heart of the rising Teveren Empire.  Never before has her gaze taken in a city so vast, wealthy, and populous.   

Sensual delights, grandiose spectacles, and the spilling of blood enthrall wealthy and poor alike.  Beneath the surface, Rayden senses an undercurrent of a darker nature.

Learning everything she can of the venomous secrets lurking within the shadows, little time remains before a host of northern tribes arrives outside its walls. 

Power lies within blood, and dark rituals have unlocked mysteries from the depths of the abyss. 

Legions are on the march, a storm is about to unleash, and a dark sun will soon rise.

When Shadows Fall, the conclusion of the Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy.

Dream of the Navigator Unabridged Audiobook Narrated by Ariana Fraval Now Available!

I am thrilled to announce that the unabridged audiobook version of Dream of the Navigator, narrated wonderfully by Ariana Fraval, is now available through outlets such as Amazon and Audible!

Direct Links



Amazon



Audible

iTunes (available very soon)

Synopsis:

“1984 and Brave New World meets Narnia”

Cities have been replaced by technates. It is a world of soaring apartments, hundreds of stories high, where technology measures, monitors, and rations to meet the needs of the greater populace. It is a world of drones, in the air and on the ground, and advanced robotic beings who carry out much of the harder labor, security, and even pleasure assignments.

Those discontent, or who resist, are taken to rehabilitation centers, established after the embrace of the greater good doctrine.

For most, virtual realms, substances, and entertainment provide escapes, but for Haven, Cayden, Jaelynn, and Salvador, growing up in Technate Six is a restless existence.

A hunger for something more gnaws inside each of them. Discoveries await that open the gates to transcend time and space, and even new planes of existence. Nothing in their universe, or others, is impossible to explore.

What was once reality, now seems like an illusion in a deepening experience.

Begin the journey to Faraway, in Dream of the Navigator, the first book of the Faraway Saga!

Heart of a Lion Named Top Ten Finalist for the Fantasy Category at the Author Academy Awards!

I am thrilled to share the wonderful news that Heart of a Lion has been named a top ten finalist for the Fantasy Category at this year’s Author Academy Awards! I will be passing along more updates on this, but the winners will be announced in late October at a red carpet ceremony.

I am very honored and thankful for this, and could not be more elated that it involves my warrior with a lionheart, Rayden Valkyrie! Onward and Upward!

Cover Reveal and Pre-Order Links Open for Prowling the Darkness, a New Rayden Valkyrie Tale!

A new Rayden Valkyrie Tale is right around the corner and today I have the cover reveal to share! I absolutely love Olivia Pro Design’s work and she really captured the spirit of this new novella! Help me get this one off to a strong start by pre-ordering the Kindle or Nook version! I know Rayden fans are going to love this one!

-Stephen

*******

Seventh Star Press is proud to reveal the cover art by Olivia Pro Design for Prowling the Darkness, a new Rayden Valkyrie eBook novella by Stephen Zimmer! Kindle and Nook pre-order windows are now open for Prowling the Darkness, which will be released in all eBook formats on Friday, May 10th!

Preorder the Kindle or Nook version of Prowling the Darkness at the following link for just $1.99!  Delivered automatically to your reading devices on May 10th!



Kindle Version Pre-Order Link



Nook Version Pre-Order Link

A stand-alone novella, Prowling the Darkness is the fifth Rayden Valkyrie tale to be released, following Blood of a Queen,Winds of War, The Sun’s Caress, and Across Desert Plains! Fans of dark fantasy, sword and sorcery, and action-driven fiction will love this latest tale featuring an iconic, inspiring heroine!

Synopsis of Prowling the Darkness:

Dark rumors and whisperings of unholy sorcery bring Rayden Valkyrie to the remote city of Sereth-Naga.

There she finds a populace cowering in fear of the city’s ruthless, mysterious rulers, who remain behind the high walls of their citadel.

An even greater mystery surrounds the city. 

Something is prowling the darkness. 

Something that has kept the enigmatic rulers for centuries from escaping Sereth-Naga to spread their wickedness to other lands.  

Prowling the Darkness is a stand-alone novella that is part of the Rayden Valkyrie Tales.

Pick up other Rayden Valkyrie Tales today at the following links!

Blood of a Queen



Kindle Link



Nook Link



Kobo Link



iTunes Link



Winds of War



Kindle



Nook



Kobo



iTunes



SmashWords



The Sun’s Caress



Kindle Link



Nook Link



Kobo Link



iTunes Link



Smashwords Link



Across Desert Plains



Kindle



Nook



Kobo



iTunes

9th Annual Kentuckiana Independent Authors Fair This Saturday

I will be appearing this Saturday at the 9th Annual Kentuckiana Independent Authors Fair, taking place from 10am to 4pm at the YMCA Community Center in La Grange, Kentucky. There’s going to be a great group of authors there, including some favorites of mine like Robb Hoff, Daniel Dark, Glenn Porzig, Mysti Parker, and many others.

If you are within range of La Grange (not far from Louisville, KY) come on out! I love seeing readers in person and this is a great event for visiting and talking for awhile!

Online Event Next Monday, March 11th!

I will be hosting an online event, a celebration of Rayden Valkyrie, next Monday the 11th from 7-9pm EST in the Seventh Star Soundoff group on Facebook!

Giveaways, Q&A, & other activities!

Find Seventh Star Soundoff at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/seventhstarsoundoff/

A Thank You for a Wonderful Books and Bourbon II

I had a great time at Books and Bourbon II this past Saturday in Lexington, at the Kroger Wine and Spirits store off Boston Road. The staff were great hosts, and took very good care of myself and Holly. The three hour event just flew by, and from what I could tell everyone had a lot of fun.

This is another event where it was easy to talk and visit with those who attended. I got to meet some new readers who took home some of my books to try for the first time. I also had many other readers, some of whom have been with me for several years now. The environment was perfect for hanging out and visiting with all of them.

I am already looking forward to Books and Bourbon III!

Also, keep your eyes out for some new appearance dates to be posted very soon!

Here’s me with Holly! We had a LOT Of fun at this event!



Myself with reader Jonathan H. of Lexington, KY. My readers are simply awesome!