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Cover Reveal for Burning Skies, a New Ragnar Stormbringer Tale!

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Today I am very excited to share the cover reveal for Burning Skies, a brand new Ragnar Stormbringer Tale! Burning Skies is the sixth stand-alone novella in the growing Ragnar Stormbringer Tales collection, and it will be available from Seventh Star Press in eBook format on February 23rd! The cover design was created by Olivia Pro Design.

Synopsis of Burning Skies:

The Magarian empire is falling under the shadow of the fanatical desert warriors of Adis Khan, who are raiding with impunity from the lands to the east.

Wielding his great war axe Raven Caller in defense of the empire’s borders, Ragnar Stormbringer leads a band of mercenaries, growing swiftly in renown and acclaim.  

When the beautiful ruler of the Magarian city Kadaros, Aelia, hires Ragnar and his band of warriors for a secretive mission, a perilous adventure unfolds.  

Fearsome wilderness predators, supernatural threats, and roving bands of lethal warriors stand in the way of Ragnar, his warriors, and their mission.

Blood will flow and the skies will burn.

Hellscapes, Volume III Available Today in Print and eBook!

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I am very excited to announce that Hellscapes, Volume III is available today in print and eBook editions! This is the best yet in the series, and makes for a perfect Halloween weekend read! Pick up a copy at any of the direct edition links below!

Direct Purchase Links

eBook

Kindle

Nook

Kobo

iTunes

Print

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Synopsis of Hellscapes III:

Descend into the infernal realms with eight new tales of doomed souls awakening to an unending nightmare filled with unfathomable horror!

The wicked may find a way to evade punishment here on Earth, often using their power, wealth, and influence to do so, but not even death spares them from the Hellscapes that await! Explore the shadows, fear, and madness of these worlds, and heed the warnings in this third volume of Hellscapes tales from award-winning author Stephen Zimmer!

Included in Hellscapes, Volume III:
The Ruins
The World is Your Tomb
The Serpent’s Kiss
Coming Home to Roost
The Greater Good
Wicked Majesty
The Oak Tree
Behemoths

Also be sure to pick up Hellscapes, Volume I and Hellscapes, Volume II!

Hellscapes, Volume I

eBook

Kindle

Nook

Kobo

iTunes

Print

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Hellscapes, Volume II

eBook

Kindle

Nook

Kobo

iTunes

Print

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

A Writing Snapshot

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I have been meaning for awhile to give an overview of where everything is at, in terms of my writing projects that are ongoing or complete and in the editing/publishing pipeline, so, today, here it is!

Writing has been going very well over the past two years, and I’ve been very focused on completing new installments in each of my primary series. At the moment, I am working on the second book in the Faraway Saga, Rise of the Voyagers, the follow-up to Dream of the Navigator. Currently, the word count on the manuscript is just over 66.4K, so it is well over halfway done (Dream of the Navigator was about 110K) and progress is being made daily. I am really excited with how well the story is flowing and how it builds from everything in the first book.

There are going to be several new releases in the near future. I have completed manuscripts for new titles in the Rising Dawn Saga, the Fires in Eden Series, the Hellscapes collection, and the Ragnar Stormbringer Tales.

The Crimson Reign, Book 5 of the Rising Dawn Saga, is complete and in the editing pipeline. It is a little shorter than The Undying Light, and a little larger than The Seventh Throne. Readers of the series should get ready for a real thrill ride as everything ramps up in the global conflict going on, and the wars in the supernatural realms. This title is very relevant to events happening in the world today, just as the series has been, and I took great care with those aspects of the book.

Path of Valor, Book 4 of the Fires in Eden Series, is also complete and in the editing pipeline. This one is about the size of Spirit of Fire. This one features a broad range of settings and expands the reader’s experience of Ave, as the story kicks into a full-throttle pace that takes everything from Spirit of Fire and before into a higher gear. This title features some of the most intense and vivid scenes in the series yet, and there is no fluff whatsoever. The character arcs really advance well, and Epic fantasy readers are going to be thrilled with this installment.

Hellscapes, Volume III is done, edited, and about to be announced. It features another set of stories set in the infernal realms, with a broad range of variation in settings and characters. I worked hard to make sure this is the most macabre and intense volume yet, that delivers all the goods that readers of dark-edged, visceral horror enjoy. It is very different from my other work, but they allow me to explore some areas I can’t in other genres.

Burning Skies, a new Ragnar Stormbringer Tale, is done, almost edited, and close to being announced. The release of this one as an eBook will make it possible for another print compendium to be published, since each compendium contains three novellas. It features a desert setting, a hard-hitting adventure with Ragnar involving intrigue, a fearsome supernatural foe, and a really nice range of other characters. Look for an announcement on this very soon!

As you might guess, I have had been in a great writing mode these past two years, with well over 600,000 words involved in the above. I am always working to advance my craft and storytelling, and I am confident that these new novels, collection, and novella reflect that! So stay tuned, a lot of announcements forthcoming on new releases in the coming months!

The Crimson Reign Manuscript Finished!

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The Crimson Reign, Book 5 of the Rising Dawn Saga, is finished and now goes to the editor!

This one involved over 150 writing sessions, of 3-4 hours or more, and is at about 195K words, putting it close to the length of The Undying Light. I started writing it early last December and put every ounce of effort into it to make certain it is the best installment of the series yet, a real thrill ride with loads of action and character development.

This is a true cross genre series with its blend of apocalyptic/dystopian/science fiction/fantasy/paranormal/horror and even some mystery elements, and I took great care to make sure it stayed ahead of the curve as far as its relevance to our world and the things happening in it.

Not an easy task, but I am confident this installment delivers on every level. I am not going to rest either, and I already started this past weekend on the follow-up to Dream of the Navigator in the Faraway Saga!

Onwards and Upwards!

The Rayden Valkyrie Tales, Volume II, Now Available in Print!

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Good news! The Rayden Valkyrie Tales, Volume II, is now available in print! This brand new compendium contains three full novellas!

Here’s the full scoop! Be sure to pick up a copy for yourself today!

Pick up a copy today using the links here!

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

The Rayden Valkyrie Tales, Volume II, contains three novellas previously released in the collection individually on eBook formats.  These novellas include Across Desert Plains, Prowling the Darkness, and Darkness Enthroned.

The novellas in the Rayden Valkyrie Tales collection will continue to be released and made available individually on eBook formats and the compendium is only being released in a print edition for readers who do not have eReaders or prefer print formats.

Here are the synopsis of the three novellas included in this exciting new compendium!

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.

Across Desert Plains:

Only the foolish deem the desolate places of the world truly abandoned.

Journeying to the Kingdom of Thrakkia, Rayden Valkyrie encounters a large contingent of nomadic Barradans. Knowing the routes through the great desert expanses and the numerous dangers encountered within them, the rugged tribal people are also hospitable to strangers and they welcome her among them.

Heading westward to avoid becoming swept up in the ambitions of a bloodthirsty desert warlord, the Barradans have only one other individual among them who is not a member of their tribe; an enigmatic Hebrennan elder.

Mysteries soon unfold, and Rayden’s own life will teeter on the edge of an abyss.

Where no man or woman dwells, things with darker intentions and ravenous hungers can set root, grow, and cast a deepening shadow across desert plains.

Across Desert Plains is a stand-alone novella that is part of the Rayden Valkyrie Tales.

Darkness Enthroned:

In the heart of a frigid northern winter, Rayden Valkyrie takes refuge in the lands of the Sarvan people when a mounted column of Attun warriors is seen passing along the outskirts of their territory heading west.

Far from their steppe domain in the east, the Attun warriors are journeying into a remote, unpopulated wilderness, drawing great alarm from the Sarvans about their purpose. Learning of the situation, Rayden joins with a band of warriors from the area’s villages to investigate.

Following the tracks of the Attun warriors, they are led to the base of an enormous, ancient burial mound, where the trail vanishes abruptly. A mystery looms, and Rayden seeks to discover the nature of the burial mound and the reason why the Attuns have traveled so far from their homelands to enter it.

Darkness Enthroned is a stand-alone adventure that is part of the Rayden Valkyrie Tales.

Don’t have The Rayden Valkyrie Tales, Volume I yet? Pick up a copy today!

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Participating as Professional Guest at DemiCon 32, April 30-May 2

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I am honored to announce that I will be participating as a professional guest at DemiCon 32, a great science fiction, fantasy, and gaming convention in Des Moines, Iowa that is being held in a virtual format this year.

I encourage you to check out the convention and everything happening there! There will be a lot of great content and I am looking forward to being a part of it. I thank them for their invitation!

Main DemiCon 32 Website

My Guest Page on the convention site

Cover Art Reveal and Release Announcement for The Rayden Valkyrie Tales, Volume II, by Stephen Zimmer!

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Today I am thrilled to bring you some great news on a new print release coming up, the second volume of the Rayden Valkyrie Tales! The new cover art is below, along with information on everything in it! Take a look!

Announcing the reveal of the cover art by Olivia Pro Design for a new print-only release, The Rayden Valkyrie Tales, Volume II, by Stephen Zimmer! For readers of heroic fantasy and sword and sorcery, this new compendium containing three full novellas will be available on April 21st!

The Rayden Valkyrie Tales, Volume II, will contain three novellas previously released in the collection invididually on eBook formats.  These novellas include Across Desert Plains, Prowling the Darkness, and Darkness Enthroned.

The novellas in the Rayden Valkyrie Tales collection will continue to be released and made available individually on eBook formats and the compendium is only being released in a print edition for readers who do not have eReaders or prefer print formats.

Here are the synopsis of the three novellas included in this exciting new compendium!

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.

Across Desert Plains:

Only the foolish deem the desolate places of the world truly abandoned.

Journeying to the Kingdom of Thrakkia, Rayden Valkyrie encounters a large contingent of nomadic Barradans. Knowing the routes through the great desert expanses and the numerous dangers encountered within them, the rugged tribal people are also hospitable to strangers and they welcome her among them.

Heading westward to avoid becoming swept up in the ambitions of a bloodthirsty desert warlord, the Barradans have only one other individual among them who is not a member of their tribe; an enigmatic Hebrennan elder.

Mysteries soon unfold, and Rayden’s own life will teeter on the edge of an abyss.

Where no man or woman dwells, things with darker intentions and ravenous hungers can set root, grow, and cast a deepening shadow across desert plains.

Across Desert Plains is a stand-alone novella that is part of the Rayden Valkyrie Tales.

Darkness Enthroned:

In the heart of a frigid northern winter, Rayden Valkyrie takes refuge in the lands of the Sarvan people when a mounted column of Attun warriors is seen passing along the outskirts of their territory heading west.

Far from their steppe domain in the east, the Attun warriors are journeying into a remote, unpopulated wilderness, drawing great alarm from the Sarvans about their purpose. Learning of the situation, Rayden joins with a band of warriors from the area’s villages to investigate.

Following the tracks of the Attun warriors, they are led to the base of an enormous, ancient burial mound, where the trail vanishes abruptly. A mystery looms, and Rayden seeks to discover the nature of the burial mound and the reason why the Attuns have traveled so far from their homelands to enter it.

Darkness Enthroned is a stand-alone adventure that is part of the Rayden Valkyrie Tales.

Stephen Zimmer is an award-winning author and filmmaker based out of Lexington Kentucky. His works include the Rayden Valkyrie Tales (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.

Website: www.stephenzimmer.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephenzimmer7
Twitter: @sgzimmer
Instagram: @stephenzimmer7

The Awakening, The New Ragnar Stormbringer Tale, Now Available in eBook Formats!

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Very excited to announce that the new Ragnar Stormbringer Tale, The Awakening, is now available in eBook formats! I had a great experience writing this one, and it has everything that fans of Ragnar love! This one has the warrior Thorsalla too, as she and Ragnar venture to a land called Ulstara that is very Celtic-inspired. Get a copy today and let me know what you think! Full release information is below!

The Awakening, a new Ragnar Stormbringer Tale from award-winning author Stephen Zimmer, is available today in eBook formats! The Awakening is a stand-alone novella that readers of heroic fantasy, sword and sorcery, and dark-edged, action-driven fantasy will love!

Pick up your copy now at any of the links below!

Kindle

Nook

Kobo (available shortly)

Synopsis of The Awakening:

Following the end of a brutal war, Ragnar Stormbringer travels across the sea channel to the west with the warrior Thorsalla to visit her brother’s new settlement in the fertile lands of Ulstara.

Coming upon a scene of total devastation, they find no bodies, but there are a large number of strange tracks heading in one direction and signs of a few survivors in another. 

Ragnar will soon discover that some mysteries are the gateways to even greater ones.

The Awakening is a stand-alone adventure that is part of the Ragnar Stormbringer Tales.

Pre-orders for the Kindle Version of The Awakening Now Open!

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I am happy to share that the pre-orders for the Kindle version of The Awakening, my new Ragnar Stormbringer Tale, are now open! The new Ragnar adventure comes out on February 17th in all eBook formats, but you can reserve a Kindle copy now and help get this release a strong launch!

Just click here to reserve your copy:

The Awakening Kindle Pre-Order Link

Synopsis of The Awakening:

Following the end of a brutal war, Ragnar Stormbringer travels across the sea channel to the west with the warrior Thorsalla to visit her brother’s new settlement in the fertile lands of Ulstara.

Coming upon a scene of total devastation, they find no bodies, but there are a large number of strange tracks heading in one direction and signs of a few survivors in another.

Ragnar will soon discover that some mysteries are the gateways to even greater ones.

The Awakening is a stand-alone adventure that is part of the Ragnar Stormbringer Tales.

Cover Reveal for The Awakening, a New Ragnar Stormbringer Tale!

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Very excited to share a new cover reveal with you for The Awakening, my latest Ragnar Stormbringer Tale and the fifth overall to be released. This eBook novella (stand-alone) will be available on Wednesday, February 17th! If you like Celtic lore and settings, you will really enjoy this one!

The cover design for The Awakening was created by Oliva Design, who has created the covers for all the tales in this collection (and also the Rayden Valkyrie Tales).

Get ready for a new adventure with Ragnar! 🙂

-Stephen

Synopsis of The Awakening:

Following the end of a brutal war, Ragnar Stormbringer travels across the sea channel to the west with the warrior Thorsalla to visit her brother’s new settlement in the fertile lands of Ulstara.

Coming upon a scene of total devastation, they find no bodies, but there are a large number of strange tracks heading in one direction and signs of a few survivors in another. 

Ragnar will soon discover that some mysteries are the gateways to even greater ones.

The Awakening is a stand-alone adventure that is part of the Ragnar Stormbringer Tales.