ZP Author and Artists News for Feb 2016

News

We at Zumaya mourn deeply the loss of Roger Margason, better known as Dorien Grey, and Joan Blacher, two well-respected and talented mystery writers. Both were a joy to work with, I will miss being able to spend time with them, even if only virtually, more than I can say.

 

Award-winning author Dr. Joan Blacher, a licensed psychotherapist in private practice for the past twenty years, was a former university professor and director of a counseling and guidance graduate program. She was the author of the mystery novels Murder Canyon, Lethal Lake, and Death on the Run, and co-author of Difficult Teens: A Parents Guide for Coping.

Her works were published in counseling and educational journals, mystery publications, magazines, newspapers, and she was a former member of a counseling journalā€™s editorial board. In 2003, the California Association of Marriage Family Therapists awarded her its Carl Vincent Award for her literary contribution to mental health with the publication of Difficult Teens.

She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Norman, who has requested her mystery series featuring forensic psychologist Ardis Jensen remain available to readers.

 

When long-time book and magazine editor Roger Margason chose the pseudonym ā€œDorien Greyā€ for his first novel, it set off a chain of circumstances that led to a comfortable division of labor and responsibility. Roger had charge of day-to-day existence, freeing Dorien (with the help of Rogerā€™s fingers) to write. Both Roger and Dorien died in November after a minor surgical procedure resulted in fatal complications.

Two years into college, Roger left to join the Naval Aviation Cadet program. Washing out after a year, he spent the rest of his brief military career on an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean at the height of the Cold War. Returning to Northern Illinois University after service, he graduated with a BA in English and embarked on a series of jobs that worked him into the editing field.

While working for a Los Angeles publishing house, he was instrumental in establishing a division exclusively for the publication of gay paperbacks and magazines, of which he became editor. He moved on to edit a leading LA-based international gay menā€™s magazine. Then, tiring of earthquakes, brush fires, mud slides, and riots, he returned to the Midwest, where Dorien emerged, full-blown, like Venus from the sea. They were inseparable (and interchangeable) from that point on.

Rogerā€”and Dorien, of courseā€”moved back to Chicago in 2006, where they devoted time to writing and travel. Both Dorienā€™s excellent mystery seriesā€”Elliott Smith and John and Dick Hardestā€”will remain available to readers, as he requested. His popular blog will also remain available with the able assistance of his good friend Gary Brown.

Rajendra Kher’s non-fiction book Empire of the Gods has been released.

 

One of our artists, April Martinez, has just published a lovely coloring book called Patterns.

 

 

Gloria Oliver has received a contract for a historical/alternate-history novelette entitled Charity and Sacrifice which should see release in October 2016.

 

 

Appearances

Zumaya will have a table a ConDFW on February 12-14, 2016 in Dallas, TX. Come meet some of our writers and editors!
Author Gloria Oliver will also have a table and will participate in panels at ConDFW as well. Come on by and say “Howdy!”

 

 

Book Trailers

This month’s book trailer is for Kate Dolan’s novel – Avery’s Treasure

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ZP AUTHOR AND ARTIST NEWS FOR OCTOBER 2015

News

One of our artists, Tamian Wood, was chosen by the publisher of Pope Francis to do the cover for his Encyclical Letter Landato Si.

And now she’s even won an award for that cover from The Book Designer.com peeps! Congrats!

Greg Austin’s feature screenplay “Haven’s End” is an Official Selection at Oaxaca Film Festival in Mexico. So far, it’s a quarter finalist in Screencraft’s Sci-fi competition. How cool is that? Congrats, Greg!

And as if that wasn’t enough “Haven’s End” is also a finalist in the Hollywood Screenplay Contest and his short sci-fi screenplay “Sian” is a finalist in theĀ National Irish Film Awards.

 

Appearances

Oct 8-11, 2015 -Author Roberta Rogow will be attending the Mystery Convention Bouchercon 2015 in Raleigh, NC.

Oct 16-18, 2015 – Author Gloria Oliver will be in the artist alley of Dallas ComicCon’s Fan Days in Irving, TX.

 

Book Trailers

This month is a book trailer is for Dorien Grey a from the Boundless Imprint called – His Name is John

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ZP Author and Artist News for May 2015

News

 

Artist Kim Antell had one of her photographs featured in the Spring 2015 literary journal, The Rio Review, at Austin Community College.

 

Artist Yehoshua Reyez shares more art from his creation Axsorg! – a time-faring, psychic, were-spider!

 

Cover Desginer Tamian Wood shares her Cover Design Portfolio Beyond Design International 2014 video featuring a ton of ZP titles. Another ZP Artist Cathy Helms created the video. It showcases both of their skills quite nicely!

 

Rajendra Kher signed a contract with Platinum Press (LeadStart Publishing group) for his non-fiction title EMPIRE OF THE GODS. The book will be available in print in 2016. Congrats!

 

Appearances

 

May 29-31, 2015 – Author Gloria Oliver will be at the FanExpoDallas/Dallas ComicCon in the artist alley section. Come on by and say “Howdy!”

 

Book Trailers

 

This month is a book trailer is for Dorien Grey’s mystery novel from ZP’s Boundless Imprint called – Dante’s Circle

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ZP Author and Artist News for Nov 2014

News

 

ZP is working to update our ebook store so we can get download links for your purchases and some other fancy capabilities. The looks is just about there, but there’s still lots to do. Keep checking back and we’ll let you know when it’s ready. This month we are even closer to ther reveal, but not quite there yet. Soon!

We are delighted to announce that JoSelle Vanderhooft’s Ebenezer is a finalist in the Lesbian Contemporary General Fiction category of the 2014 Rainbow Awards!

 

 

Appearances

 

Gloria Oliver will be at Roll 2 Play Nov 15 in Coppell, TX. She’ll be talking about her books, play Dungeons and Dragons, and stay for the showing of Wolf’s Children. She’ll be sharing the spotlight with the cast and crew of Tauiran Film’s webseries Party Girl.

On Nov 21-23, Roberta Rogow will be part at Philcon in Cherry Hill, NJ.

Roberta Rogow will also be participating at ChessieCon in Baltimore, MD on Nov 28-30.

 

 

Book Trailers

A new feature! We’ll try to post a different book trailer to the front page each month along with the news and monthly appearances.

This month is a book trailer for Dorien Grey’s Caesar’s Fall.