Stephen Zimmer's Blog: Stephen Zimmer's Blog, page 7

My New YA Novel, Dream of the Navigator, Now Available in Print and eBook Formats!

Very excited to pass along the links and release day information for Dream of the Navigator, my new YA/Cross-Genre/Dystopian novel! Pick up a copy and begin the journey to Faraway!

View more on Stephen Zimmer's website »

2 likes · Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on July 04, 2018 08:42

New Rayden Valkyrie eBook Novella, Winds of War, Cover Reveal and Pre-orders!

Very excited to share some new cover art today and a the opening of a pre-order window for Winds of War, the latest Rayden Valkyrie novella! This one has some really massive scenes in it and even a culture based on ancient Sparta (though with a big twist!). Winds of War also features the first book appearance of the Thrakkian warrior Markos, a character who also appears in the TV Pilot (where he is performed by Nathan Day).

Read all about the new novella and if you are a Kindle user be sure to pre-order a copy today!

>>>>>>

Seventh Star Press is proud to reveal the cover art by Olivia Pro Design for Winds of War, a new Rayden Valkyrie eBook novella from award-winning author Stephen Zimmer! Winds of War is scheduled for release on Friday, July 6th, in all eBook formats, and a Kindle pre-order window is open now for just $1.99!

Pre-Order the Kindle version now for just $1.99 at the following link!
Kindle Pre-Order Link

A stand-alone novella, Winds of War is the second Rayden Valkyrie tale to be released, following Blood of a Queen in May of 2018! Fans of dark fantasy, sword and sorcery, and action-driven fiction will love this latest tale featuring an iconic, inspiring heroine!

Synopsis of Winds of War: The winds of war are stirring.

The kings of Thrakkia and Samosia quarrel with each other as a wave of invaders from a powerful empire crashes upon the shores of the nearby Kingdom of Pargemon.

Having finished a harrowing mission aiding the Thrakkians deep in their mountains, Rayden Valkyrie understands the looming, perilous threat from the Astrian Empire. Without unity, none of the Griacan kingdoms stand a chance against the much larger invasion that Rayden knows will follow the conquest of Pargemon.

With time dwindling fast and the kings set on a course to weaken each other in battle, Rayden undertakes a bold mission. The fate of many lands hangs in the balance

Winds of War is a stand-alone novella that is part of the Rayden Valkyrie Tales.

About the Author: Stephen Zimmer is an award-winning author and filmmaker based out of Lexington Kentucky. His works include the Rayden Valkyrie novels (Sword and Sorcery), the Rising Dawn Saga (Cross Genre), the Fires in Eden Series (Epic Fantasy), the Hellscapes short story collections (Horror), the Chronicles of Ave short story collections (Fantasy), the Harvey and Solomon Tales (Steampunk), and the forthcoming Faraway Saga (YA Dystopian/Cross-Genre).

Stephen’s visual work includes the feature film Shadows Light, shorts films such as The Sirens and Swordbearer, and the forthcoming Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart TV Pilot.

Stephen is a proud Kentucky Colonel who also enjoys the realms of music, martial arts, good bourbons, and spending time with family.

Find Stephen online at:

Website: www.stephenzimmer.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephenzimmer7

Twitter: @sgzimmer

Instagram: @stephenzimmer7

View more on Stephen Zimmer's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on June 15, 2018 08:17

My New Ragnar Stormbringer Novella, When the Cold Breathes, Available Today in All eBook Formats!

I am excited to announce that When the Cold Breathes, my latest Ragnar Stormbringer Novella, is available today in all eBook formats for just $1.99! This is an action-packed adventure in a deep winter setting that I know Ragnar fans are going to love! Pick up a copy today!

Get your copy of When the Cold Breathes at any of these direct links for just $1.99!
Kindle
Nook
Kobo
iTunes (will be live shortly)
Smashwords

A stand-alone novella, When the Cold Breathes is the second Ragnar Stormbringer tale to be released, following Depths of Night in April of 2018! Fans of dark fantasy, sword and sorcery, and action-driven fiction will love this latest tale featuring an iconic hero!

Synopsis of When the Cold Breathes: There are times when the cold breathes.

Settlers from Ragnar Stormbringer’s homelands are forging a new world in the far north, building villages where the icy lash of the winds is a reminder of the dangers lurking within a harsh wilderness.

A season of great peril has fallen upon them. A fearsome predator stalks and hunts the settlers in the deep snows. As the deaths mount and terror spreads among the populace, Ragnar’s help is sought to confront the unknown menace.

Taking up his legendary axe Raven Caller, Ragnar heads into the falling snows. He will soon find that the myths told in the region have more than a little truth dwelling within them.

What lies in the cold embrace of death and darkness can awaken, breathe, and gaze through eyes of spectral light.

When the Cold Breathes is a stand-alone novella that is part of the Ragnar Stormbringer tales!

View more on Stephen Zimmer's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on June 08, 2018 08:37

Cover Art Revealed for When the Cold Breathes, a New Ragnar Stormbringer eBook Novella!

Today I have the cover art for the latest eBook novella to announce, as well as the opening of a pre-order window for the Kindle version! Thrilled to share this new art from Olivia Pro Design. She has done an amazing job with the look of the eBook novellas, both for the Ragnar Stormbringer Tales and the Rayden Valkyrie tales. I’m definitely looking to keep on a good pace with these of about 1 per month! I really appreciate my readers and want all of you to have plenty of new adventures to look forward to!

View more on Stephen Zimmer's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on May 16, 2018 08:04

Cover Reveal Today for My New YA Novel, Dream of the Navigator!

Very excited to be able to share the cover art by Enggar Adirasa for my new YA novel Dream of the Navigator, which begins the Faraway Saga. I describe this one as “1984 and Brave New World meets Narnia.” Going to be an exciting journey! Be sure to pre-order the Kindle edition today! Get ready for July 4th!

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Seventh Star Press is proud to reveal the cover art by Enggar Adirasa for Dream of the Navigator, the new Young Adult novel by award-winning author Stephen Zimmer that begins the Faraway Saga! Dream of the Navigator will be released in both print and eBook editions on July 4th, 2018! The pre-order window for the Kindle version is now open too!

Pre-order the Kindle version today for just $3.99 and have it delivered to your device on July 4th! Use the link below!
Kindle Pre-Order Link

Dream of the Navigator is a Young Adult, Dystopian/Cross-Genre novel that is the beginning of the Faraway Saga! It is a story an series about the ultimate battle for freedom; the freedom of the individual. Stephen Zimmer has described Dream of the Navigator as “1984 and Brave New World meets Narnia.” The editor for the new book was Scott M. Sandridge.

About Dream of the Navigator:

“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 6 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!

About Stephen Zimmer: Stephen Zimmer is an award-winning author and filmmaker based out of Lexington Kentucky. His works include the Rayden Valkyrie novels (Sword and Sorcery), the Rising Dawn Saga (Cross Genre), the Fires in Eden Series (Epic Fantasy), the Hellscapes short story collections (Horror), the Chronicles of Ave short story collections (Fantasy), the Harvey and Solomon Tales (Steampunk), and the forthcoming Faraway Saga (YA Dystopian/Cross-Genre).

Stephen’s visual work includes the feature film Shadows Light, shorts films such as The Sirens and Swordbearer, and the forthcoming Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart TV Pilot.

Stephen is a proud Kentucky Colonel who also enjoys the realms of music, martial arts, good bourbons, and spending time with family.

Find Stephen online at:

Website: www.stephenzimmer.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephenzimmer7

Twitter: @sgzimmer

Instagram: @stephenzimmer7

View more on Stephen Zimmer's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on May 11, 2018 07:37

Blood of a Queen, the New Rayden Valkyrie Novella, Now Available in eBook Formats!

It’s here! The new Rayden Valkyrie novella is available today in eBook formats! Here’s the full release announcement:

>>>>

Blood of a Queen, the brand new Rayden Valkyrie novella by award-winning author Stephen Zimmer, is now available in all eBook formats from Seventh Star Press!

Pick up your copy of Blood of a Queen for just $1.99 at the links below:
Kindle Link
Nook Link
Kobo Link
iTunes Link

The sword and sorcery/dark fantasy novella is the latest release in a new group of eBook titles from Stephen Zimmer featuring either Ragnar Stormbringer or Rayden Valkyrie. The stand-alone tales give readers a chance to further explore the world featured in the Rayden Valkyrie novels Heart of a Lion and Thunder Horizon. Releases will include both short stories and novellas.

The Rayden Valkyrie character is also featured in the TV Pilot Rayden Valkyrie, Saga of a Lionheart, where she is performed by Sol Geirsdottir. The project is nearing the completion of post-production and can be followed at www.raydenvalkyrie.com.

Cover art for Blood of a Queen was designed by Olivia Pro Design.

Synopsis of Blood of a Queen: Traveling farther east, Rayden Valkyrie comes upon a city shrouded in fear and anger.

A devastating drought has been followed by a nightmarish rash of brutal murders and disappearances that only occur after the sun goes down. A few witnesses speak of terrifying, monstrous wraiths prowling the streets at night.

The ruler of Terith-Ka, Queen Annukeyen, claims that the demonic entities have been summoned through dark magic wielded by sorcerers in the rival city of Rastapur. A war looms and the people clamor for vengeance against the city they believe has caused their suffering.

Rayden suspects something much darker at work underneath the simmering atmosphere of Terith-Ka. When all others have gone inside with the fall of night, Rayden heads into the empty streets of the city to find answers and confront the evil plaguing a frightened populace.

Blood of a Queen is a stand-alone novella that is part of the Rayden Valkyrie Tales.

About Stephen Zimmer: Stephen Zimmer is an award-winning author and filmmaker based out of Lexington Kentucky. His works include the Rayden Valkyrie novels (Sword and Sorcery), the Rising Dawn Saga (Cross Genre), the Fires in Eden Series (Epic Fantasy), the Hellscapes short story collections (Horror), the Chronicles of Ave short story collections (Fantasy), the Harvey and Solomon Tales (Steampunk), and the forthcoming Faraway Saga (YA Dystopian/Cross-Genre).

Stephen’s visual work includes the feature film Shadows Light, shorts films such as The Sirens and Swordbearer, and the forthcoming Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart TV Pilot.

Stephen is a proud Kentucky Colonel who also enjoys the realms of music, martial arts, good bourbons, and spending time with family.

Find Stephen online at:

Website: www.stephenzimmer.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephenzimmer7

Twitter: @sgzimmer

Instagram: @stephenzimmer7

View more on Stephen Zimmer's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on May 04, 2018 07:03

When Natural Rights Are Being Suppressed, Stand Strong

There is no question that a climate of extreme polarization is taking place in America. It is reaching the extent that there are two very different nations, or populations, emerging within the same geographic space.

The two visions are irreconcilable and incompatible in the long run. In the short term it is accelerating a lot of conflict between individuals and communities.

A very dangerous trend is taking place within this climate. Both the government and large corporations are engaging in the suppression of natural rights, and at the top of the list is the freedom of expression (speech).

Major social media providers are increasingly deciding what their users will and will not see, what they deem to be acceptable, or quality, posts, and censoring users who run afoul of various transgressions as established by the providers.

By using words like "hate speech" or "offensive speech", or "harassment", they have aimed to put anyone disagreeing with their censoring in a bad light. After all, how can anyone be supportive of "hate", or "offensive speech", or "harassment"?

The fatal flaw in their position is that the definition of "hate speech", "offensive speech" and "harassment" has broadened to the point where simple disagreement, legitimate criticism, and having a different view or opinion has fallen into these categories under their perspective.

Free expression and free discourse includes speech that may be deemed hateful and offensive. This is very different from making a specific threat to someone, or an active call for violence.

One only has to see what is transpiring all across Europe to see what I mean. Expression of one's own opinion about certain Islamic beliefs expressed in their religious texts, or discussing the dangers and costs that come to communities as a result of mass migration, can get a person fined or arrested in many countries.

The criticisms voiced by such individuals might well cause discomfort or even offend some, but they are part of legitimate discourse, dissent, and expression. The zeal with which the governments of many countries in Europe suppress the opinions and criticisms of many of their citizens raises serious questions about the agendas they are pursuing.

Agendas versus free expression are at the epicenter of the issue.

In America, anyone who is intellectually honest can see this in the current gun control debate as it pertains to the media's usage of Parkland students in their coverage, editorial content, and events. Students such as David Hogg, who align solidly with an anti-gun agenda, are given extensive coverage, invitation to forums, and wide exposure, while students such as Kyle Kashuv, who is a defender of the right to bear arms, finds options for media coverage and events much more limited.

It is clear that the mainstream media is not engaged in journalism, but rather the promotion of an agenda. This is demonstrated in what is covered, who is interviewed and what side of the issue they are on.

While Hogg is advocating for changes that will undeniably result in the suppression of the Second Amendment, media figures react in an adversarial fashion if one questions anything about him, from his FBI connections through his father, to where exactly he was during the Parkland shooting. (some stories say he was at home during the shooting and then rode a bike to the campus, while others have him in another building separate from where the shooting took place).

Questions seeking to clarify facts are not bullying in any way, contrary to what media figures would have you think. They are legitimate inquiries into a young figure who has irrefutably been spotlighted by the media as one of the leaders of a movement.

In a school with over 3,000 students, asking why David Hogg has such a prominent position versus his peers is a question that any honest journalist should be asking. Unfortunately, real journalism is in short supply these days beyond alternative and independent media outlets.

Thankfully, America's fundamental principles provides protections for freedom of expression in the face of agenda-driven suppression.

The Bill of Rights has the concept of Natural Rights at its foundation. Natural Rights are an innate part of being a living human person, upon birth, and are not granted by government or any other human-created entity.

What is given by a government can be taken away. Natural Rights, which are not given by government, can not be taken by government either, only suppressed.

Further, America is a constitutional republic, not a democracy. A constitutional republic is a bulwark against the kind of mob rule that those with agendas would desire to enact. This is why they are so eager to eradicate things like the Electoral College and other things that protect the minority from tyranny of the majority.

Ultimately, people simply need to understand the power that they have within them as individuals. All that is needed is the determination and will to take a stand when it comes to the defense of Natural Rights. A refusal to give ground. A refusal to allow suppression of Natural Rights to occur.

This path requires backbone and the thick skin required to endure a hailstorm of name-calling and character assassination attempts, but it is the same path that threw off the yoke of a tyrannical monarch and set in motion a country that achieved tremendous success and uniqueness in all of human history.

It is time to embrace that spirit once more.

View more on Stephen Zimmer's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on April 19, 2018 21:52

Appearing in Vevay, Indiana on May 4th at the Community Art Center of Switzerland County!

I’ll be making a special appearance on Friday, May 4th in Vevay, Indiana for a special ComicCon-themed First Friday Event at the Community Art Center of Switzerland County!

The event will run from 5-9pm! Several great artists are also participating and I’ll be doing a book signing! The First Friday events in Vevay are a blast. Great venue, great hosts, and a really enjoyable time for everyone. I am looking forward to it!

Check everything out on the digital flyer below!

View more on Stephen Zimmer's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on April 17, 2018 20:50

Cover Reveal and Kindle Pre-Order Window Open for My New Rayden Valkyrie eBook Novella, Blood of a Queen!

Very excited to present this new press release revealing my new Rayden Valkyrie novella Blood of a Queen! I love the cover, which was created by Olivia Pro Design. It is a very intense story and I know that fans of Rayden are going to love it! If you have a Kindle, pre-order today so you can get it delivered to your device right away on the day of release!

Press Release from Seventh Star Press

Seventh Star Press is proud to reveal the cover art by Olivia Pro Design for Blood of a Queen, a new Rayden Valkyrie novella from award-winning author Stephen Zimmer. A Kindle pre-order window is now open and the eBook release date has been set for May 4th!

Pre-order Blood of a Queen for your Kindle Device by using the link below:
Blood of a Queen Kindle Pre-order Link