Category Archives: Stephen Zimmer

Rayden Valkyrie, Rayden Valkyrie Television Pilot, Seventh Star Studios, Stephen Zimmer

Seventh Star Studios Announces Sól Geirsdóttir for Rayden Valkyrie Role in TV Pilot

Seventh Star Studios is proud to announce the casting of Sól Geirsdóttir to bring the heroic Rayden Valkyrie character to life onscreen in the TV pilot Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart.

 

Sól will star as Rayden Valkyrie, an iconic warrior in a dark age who leads a mercenary war band to rescue a group of captives destined for slave markets. When some of the surviving raiders take a pair of female captives with them, seeking escape into an ancient forest said to harbor deadly perils, Rayden does not hesitate to pursue them. In the shadows of the forest, Rayden and her companions must overcome monstrous threats and deadly sorcery to prevail.

“Sól Geirsdóttir is our Rayden,” Director/Screenwriter Stephen Zimmer said. “During our extensive search, we have seen many very talented actresses, but Sól conveyed the right kind of presence needed for this pivotal character. Sól has a passion for the genre, for history, and loves a good sword fight. I know that Sól is dedicated to bringing the best performance possible to the screen, and I am absolutely confident that audiences are going to love Sól and the Rayden Valkyrie character when they see this show. Rayden Valkyrie is my favorite character to write, and I am thrilled that Sól will be the one to portray her onscreen.”

 

Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart represents the first onscreen portrayal of the Rayden Valkyrie character. The character’s literary debut occurred in Stephen Zimmer’s sword and sorcery novel Heart of a Lion. The story in the TV pilot is not an adaptation of the novel, but rather an original storyline envisioned to be the foundation for a series of episodes filled with Rayden Valkyrie adventures.

Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart is scheduled for production late spring on locations in Kentucky and represents the first visual media project for Seventh Star Studios, a division of Seventh Star Press, a publisher of speculative fiction based out of Lexington, Kentucky.

More about Sól Geirsdóttir: Sól Geirsdóttir made her stage debut at the age of 13, performing traditional norwegian folk songs. Since then she has been creating and producing music with her band Vǫluspá, who will be releasing a full album in 2017. Sól has also appeared in several theatrical plays and was given a part as “Jora” in the TV pilot ‘Rangers: A Shadow Rising’ in 2014. She has worked with Ron Newcomb, Ian Hencher, John Wells, Marita Tathariel and many more.

Sól is an alternative model and has been featured in several magazines such as Fae Magazine and Dark Beauty. She currently attends the University of Oslo pursuing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. In addition to this, she is a trained vocalist, an accomplished belly dancer and a seemstress specialized in Viking Era clothing. Sól is thrilled to embark on the epic journey of playing the role of “Rayden Valkyrie” in the Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart TV Pilot.

Follow Sól Geirsdóttir online at the following links:

Website: www.thevikingqueen.com
IG: @thevikingqueen 
Twitter: @solgeirsdottir 

To follow the Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart TV pilot on Twitter and Facebook, use these links:
Twitter: @RaydenValkyrie
Facebook: www.facebook.com/raydenvalkyrie

 

Heart of a Lion, Rayden Valkyrie, Stephen Zimmer

Campaign Underway to Support TV Pilot Based on Stephen Zimmer’s Rayden Valkyrie Character!

With exclusive memorabilia, credits, and events and experiences offered in the reward levels, we have a great new campaign to support the creation of a TV Pilot based upon the character Rayden Valkyrie from Stephen ZImmer’s novel Heart of a Lion.

Yesterday, the first concept art piece of Rayden Valkyrie for the project was unveiled, from artist Jerome Sayers.

RaydenValkyrie_Concept1_JeromeSayers

This project represents a new area of activity for Seventh Star Press as well, entering the realms of original television and movie content!

See the intro video and get involved in making this project happen! Just follow this link:

http://ow.ly/Z1IPq

eBooks, hellscapes, iBookstore, Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Stephen Zimmer

Stephen Zimmer’s Hellscapes, Volume II Now Available in eBook Formats!

Seventh Star Press is proud to announce that Stephen Zimmer’s Hellscapes, Volume II, the second installment in his building horror short story collection, is now available in eBook format!

You can get Hellscapes, Volume II for $2.99 at the following links:
Nook version will be live shortly.

Synopsis of Hellscapes, Volume II: Return to the nightmarish, shadowy realms of Hell in the latest installment of the Hellscapes series by Stephen Zimmer. Six brand new, macabre tales of the infernal await you … but be that you only visit these realms, you do not want to share the fates of the inhabitants you will encounter!

Included in the pages of Hellscapes, Volume II:

In “The Cavern”, a man finds his way into a nightmare, subterranean world that leads to an even greater, and more devastating, revelation.

A police officer takes pleasure in violently executing his duties and it appears to be open season in “The Riot” when he is part of an operation sent to crack down on a gathering of people protesting an economic summit nearby. But this is an operation that is going to take a very different kind of turn, one that opens his eyes to a new reality.

A woman finds herself stranded on a high, rocky ledge, along with many other men and women, surrounded by a frothing sea in “Above as Below”. Shadows glide beneath the surface and soon she will discover what lurks within the depths.

“Spots Do Not Change” tells the story of a man who has never had any qualms lying, cheating, or deceiving the women in his life. A reckoning day looms as he comes to understand that his actions have harmed the lives of many others, actions that in the realms of Hell take on forms of their own.

Having spun webs of intrigue and personal destruction at the heights of national politics throughout his life, a man finds webs of another sort to present grave danger when he finds himself lost within a strange wilderness in “Weaving Webs”.

Many are drawn to “The Club” in the heart of the decaying, shadow-filled city of Malizia, hoping for some entertainment and release, or even safety from the monstrous dangers lurking in the darkness. One man struggling against amnesia finds his way to the seemingly popular establishment and its confines give him momentary hope; until he discovers the nature of this night club and those who run it.

About Stephen: Stephen Zimmer is an award-winning author and filmmaker based in Lexington Kentucky. His work includes the cross-genre Rising Dawn Saga, the epic fantasy Fires in Eden series, the sword and sorcery Dark Sun Sawn Trilogy, featuring Rayden Valkyrie, and the Hellscapes and Chronicles of Ave short story collections.

You can find Stephen online at the following places.
Twitter: @sgzimmer
Instagram: @stephenzimmer7
Bonnie Wasson, Book Trailer, Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy, eBooks, Frozen Creek Studios, Kindle, Kobo, Kylie Jude, Nook, Rayden Valkyrie, Scott Sandridge, Stephen Zimmer

New Trailer and eBook Release for Stephen Zimmer’s Heart of a Lion!

Seventh Star Press is proud to unveil the new video trailer for Heart of a Lion, the new novel from Stephen Zimmer and Book One of the Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy.  The eBook version is available today!  Links to the Kindle, Nook, and Kobo versions are below the trailer.

The new novel is Stephen’s 10th book release and the first one starring Rayden Valkyrie, who first appeared in the short story “All the Lands, Nowhere a Home” in the Thunder on the Battlefield: Sword anthology.  Heart of a Lion had Scott Sandridge as editor and Bonnie Wasson created the cover art.

Here is the new video trailer created by Kylie Jude of Frozen Creek Studios for the new novel:


eBook Links:

Kindle

Nook

Kobo

Synopsis:
Rayden Valkyrie. She walks alone, serving no king, emperor, or master. Forged in the fires of tragedy, she has no place she truly calls home.

A deadly warrior wielding both blade and axe, Rayden is the bane of the wicked and corrupt. To many others, she is the most loyal and dedicated of friends, an ally who is unyielding in the most dangerous of circumstances.

The people of the far southern lands she has just aided claim that she has the heart of a lion. For Rayden, a long journey to the lands of the far northern tribes who adopted her as a child beckons, with an ocean lying in between.

Her path will lead her once more into the center of a maelstrom, one involving a rising empire that is said to be making use of the darkest kinds of sorcery to grow its power. Making new friends and discoveries amid tremendous peril, Rayden makes her way to the north.

Monstrous beasts, supernatural powers, and the bloody specter of war have been a part of her world for a long time and this journey will be no different. Rayden chooses the battles that she will fight, whether she takes up the cause of one individual or an entire people.

Both friends and enemies alike will swiftly learn that the people of the far southern lands spoke truly. Rayden Valkyrie has the heart of a lion.

Heart of a Lion is Book One of the Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy.

Bonnie Wasson, Cover Reveal, Heart of a Lion, press release, Rayden Valkyrie, Stephen Zimmer

Stephen Zimmer’s First Rayden Valkyrie Novel, Heart of a Lion, Unveiled!

Seventh Star Press is proud to unveil the brand new cover art by the award-winning Bonnie Wasson for Stephen Zimmer’s first Rayden Valkyrie novel, Heart of a Lion. The new dark fantasy novel also marks a milestone for Stephen as it is his tenth book published.

The first novel of a three book story arc in a dark fantasy setting, Heart of a Lion features a hero for all times and ages: Rayden Valkyrie.

Rayden Valkyrie.  She walks alone, serving no king, emperor, or master.  Forged in the fires of tragedy, she has no place she truly calls home.

A deadly warrior wielding both blade and axe, Rayden is the bane of the wicked and corrupt.  To many others, she is the most loyal and dedicated of friends, an ally who is unyielding in the most dangerous of circumstances.

The people of the far southern lands she has just aided claim that she has the heart of a lion.  For Rayden, a long journey to the lands of the far northern tribes who adopted her as a child beckons, with an ocean lying in between.

Her path will lead her once more into the center of a maelstrom, one involving a rising empire that is said to be making use of the darkest kinds of sorcery to grow its power.  Making new friends and discoveries amid tremendous peril, Rayden makes her way to the north.

Monstrous beasts, supernatural powers, and the bloody specter of war have been a part of her world for a long time and this journey will be no different. Rayden chooses the battles that she will fight, whether she takes up the cause of one individual or an entire people.

Both friends and enemies alike will swiftly learn that the people of the far southern lands spoke truly. Rayden Valkyrie has the heart of a lion.

Heart of a Lion will be available in all eBook formats the first week of January, 2015, and will be released in softcover form in mid-January. The editor for Heart of a Lion was Scott M. Sandridge.

For more on Stephen Zimmer and Seventh Star Press, please visit  www.seventhstarpress.com

About Stephen Zimmer:  Stephen Zimmer is an award-winning author and filmmaker.  His works include the cross-genre series The Rising Dawn Saga, the epic fantasy Fires in Eden series, the Hellscapes horror short story collection, the Chronicles of Ave fantasy short story collection, and the Harvey and Solomon steampunk tales.  He is based out of Lexington, Kentucky and you can find his site at www.stephenzimmer.com

Cover Reveal, Matthew Perry, Stephen Zimmer, The Rising Dawn Saga

Cover Art and Illustration Reveal for Stephen Zimmer’s The Undying Light!

Seventh Star Press is proud to unveil the brand new cover art from Matthew Perry for The Undying Light, Book Four of the Rising Dawn Saga from award-winning author Stephen Zimmer.

The Undying Light will be released in eBook and softcover formats at the end of June.

The Undying Light continues the cross-genre saga as the darkness of the Abyss spreads across a world in turmoil.   Reeling from a pandemic, economic instability and a war between the world’s greatest powers, people of all nations look with hope toward a fast-rising light who leads the World Summit’s Peace Commission: Kaira Antipalos.  Those closest around her know that she is the realization of the Convergence, the final step in bringing the entire world into one political and economic order.

The UCAS is now divided as the fire of revolution sweeps across the south and midwest.  Rebel provinces uniting in common cause prepare for the inevitable response of a wounded, angered UCAS government; one that tightens its hold upon its remaining territory with force, unprecedented surveillance and the new technology called Living ID.

Within this time of conflict and fear, individuals must choose to make their own stands:  Among them, Benedict makes his way from UCAS territory carrying the knowledge of a horrifying discovery about the Nephilim made while in UCAS detention. Gregory leads rebel forces along the borders of the free provinces.  Skylar uses her rare gift on behalf of the Shield Maidens to go on an unusual quest, one with implications for every living thing in the world.

Time is running ever shorter as Diabolos presses the war that began before time itself.  As realms of all natures fall under the shadow of the Abyss and the power of Death itself is brought to fullness, the only thing that stands in the way of Darkness’ final victory is the Undying Light.

About the author: Stephen Zimmer is an award-winning author and filmmaker whose works include cross-genre Rising Dawn Saga, the epic fantasy Fires in Eden series, the Hellscapes short stories, the steampunk Harvey and Solomon Tales, and the sword and sorcery Rayden Valkyrie stories.  Stephen resides in Lexington and can be found at www.stephenzimmer.com  You can also follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stephenzimmer7 or twitter @sgzimmer

eBooks, hellscapes, Kindle, Kobo, Stephen Zimmer

Hellscapes, Volume 1 Now Available on Kindle and Kobo!

Stephen Zimmer’s new horror collection Hellscapes, Volume 1, is now available on Kindle and Kobo.  It will be available on Nook and iBookstore at some point today as well, but we wanted to get the live links out on release day.  The print edition will be available next week.

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

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

Hellscapes_600X400

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.

Hellscapes, Volume 1 is the first release in an exciting new themed horror collection from Stephen Zimmer.

Cover Reveal, hellscapes, Matthew Perry, press release, Stephen Zimmer

Cover Reveal for Stephen Zimmer’s Hellscapes, Volume 1

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.

Hellscapes_600X400

 

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.
Chronicles of Ave, eBooks, Kindle, Nook, Stephen Zimmer

Chronicles of Ave eBook Links! Available Today!

Chronicles of Ave, a brand new collection of short stories from Stephen Zimmer set in the world of Ave (fantasy/epic fantasy) is now available on Kindle and Nook! (Kobo and iBookstore will be going live sometime today as well).
 
Pick up a copy today and spread the word. Softcover will be available next week (328 pages, including the novella length “Winter’s Embrace”)
 
Kindle and Nook links: 

 

   

Chronicles of Ave, Cover Reveal, Matthew Perry, press release, Stephen Zimmer

Cover Reveal for Stephen Zimmer’s Chronicles of Ave Volume 1!

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.

CoA_cover1200X800
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.