The Scribblings of Sarah E. Glenn: Interview: Stephen Zimmer, Days of Darkness

Welcome to the blog tour for Days of Darkness, the new Hellscapes novel from award-winning author Stephen Zimmer! The Days of Darkness Blog Tour will run from June 17th to June 24th, featuring guest posts, interview, podcast appearances, and reviews!

Days of Darkness is a stand-alone novel, and marks the first full-length novel in the franchise following three volumes of Hellscapes short stories! Visceral and macabre, the Hellscapes worlds have strong appeal to readers who enjoy authors such as Clive Barker, Wayne Barlowe, H.P. Lovecraft, and others!

Get ready for a thrill ride into the Hellscapes realms!

How did you create Ambrose? Was he inspired by someone? Popped into your head as is? His day job was interesting.

Ambrose was not inspired by one person, but he represents a type of person that I find to be increasingly prevalent in today’s world. He holds a position that has a profound impact on the lives of a great multitude of people, and the work that he does, and the system that he is a part of, results in greater hardship, suffering, and struggle for that multitude of people. Yet he never stops to question any of this, and, in fact, revels in the comforts and material success that this position brings him. There is an underlying narcissism to him, and perhaps some sociopathic elements, to where he never thinks of the morality or consequences of what he does, or questions the nature of the system he serves. It is a form of evil, and I hope the reader comes to understand that as the story unfolds and things unravel for Ambrose.

What about The Prophet?

The Prophet, like the Stranger, is one of my enigmatic characters that appear in Hellscapes stories. Ultimately, the characters like these two act as a sort of beacon of conscience in the story, as they tend to be guides to the characters in the story toward the revelation of where they truly are and why they are there. In some sense, they play a role like the Greek Chorus in an ancient theater performance. The Prophet, in this story, underscores the doom that is unveiling upon Ambrose and all of the souls that are in this particular Hellscape. In a sense, he is there to proclaim damnation on them, even if they do not quite understand what he is talking about just yet.

What was the most challenging part to write in this book?

The most challenging part to writing this book was the initial setting, where I wanted to have everything appear to be set in a “normal world” while slowly showing that there is something “off-kilter” about it, without giving away fully that this apparently modern city going about its daily existence is, in fact, a Hellscape. The transition into that full revelation could not come too quickly, and I worked to make sure that was managed carefully in the early stages of the tale.

What draws you to writing dark, dystopian material?

The Dark and the dystopian reflect the reality of the world that we live in. Exploration of the Dark, through storytelling, is valuable in understanding, confronting, and giving vent to the Dark that is present, and pervasive, in a flawed world. Dark, dystopian material allows for creative expression that depicts and reflects an array of evils that people face and struggle against in life. Art provokes thought and emotion, and often challenges its audience in some manner, and storytelling in a dark, dystopian setting is no exception. If anything, it is very fertile ground for creating art rooted in reality.

Plotter or pantser?

I am about midway on the spectrum of Plotter vs. Pantser. I always have a core structure when writing a story, where I know the general course that it will go and its destination. This has helped me to avoid “writing myself into a corner.” At the same time, I like to give myself room to add new elements, whether they involve the plot or new characters. So I don’t outline to the point that I am too confined to be able to add new ideas that inevitably arise along the way. With my writing, I have developed a balance between the two poles of Plotter and Pantser, and so far it has worked very well for me.

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

I have about three novels worth of material that I wrote during my formative years that I am not sure will ever see the light of day. The ideas in them I still find to be good, but the writing would need a complete overhaul! Currently I have several new, completed manuscripts that are in the editing pipeline, heading toward publishing. I have a new Rayden Valkyrie duology called The Crossing, with the novels Beyond the Gates and The Light Within. I have a new Ragnar Stormbringer stand-alone novel titled Where Mountains Rise, and a new Hongvi Shadow Walker stand-alone novel titled As Above, So Below. There is also a new Rising Dawn Saga novel titled The Crimson Reign, the fifth book in that series, and a new Fires in Eden novel, the fourth in that series, titled Path of Valor. Finally, there is Rise of the Voyagers, the next in my Faraway Saga. So, in all, there are seven finished novels currently in that editing pipeline heading toward my readers!

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

To run, run fast from pursuing a career in writing! LOL! I jest a little, but I would make sure my younger self understood the struggle, frustrations, and pitfalls that pursuing the writing path entails. Not to discourage my younger self, but rather to give a sober and clear understanding of expectations and the marathon nature of the writing path. Storytelling and writing are intrinsic to me, so I know I would still write just as much as I do, but I would be better prepared for the difficulties and trials that are part of the writing road.

Who is your greatest cheerleader?

My parents were always my greatest cheerleaders, and in my heart, I know that they still are, from wherever they may be in the worlds beyond this one. But I am blessed and fortunate enough to have another such cheerleader that entered my world about eight and a half years ago, Holly Marie Phillippe, my best friend and better half. I should say here that my definition of a true cheerleader is not just someone that seeks to encourage and uplift you, but is also someone who is honest with you, with a motivation to help you become the best version of yourself. That entails constructive criticism and hard truths at times, but those are necessary things that help you grow, rise, and become a better version of yourself, and I am grateful to still have one such cheerleader in my world!

Thank you for the opportunity to be interviewed, and I hope that everyone who gives Days of Darkness a try finds it to be the wild thrill ride that I did while writing it.

Synopsis of Days of Darkness:

Ambrose awakens to find dense, rolling layers of ash-gray clouds spanning to the far horizon, shrouding the city beneath in a drab pall. He begins his day, thinking it no different from any other.

Though it is in the height of summer, an icy, anomalous chill sifts into the air later that day, until it becomes colder than the depths of winter.

Then, the sun sets, and darkness falls.

The night does not end, as there is no sunrise to follow.

Bizarre and frightening apparitions begin appearing across a city and world shrouded in an inexplicable darkness. It is only the beginning of an unfurling, deepening nightmare, one that will take Ambrose on a terrifying journey of self-discovery and revelation.

For Ambrose, and everyone in the world around him, the Days of Darkness have only just begun.

About the Author:

Stephen Zimmer is an award-winning author, filmmaker, and broadcaster based out of Lexington, Kentucky. His titles as an author include the Rayden Valkyrie Tales (Sword and Sorcery), the Ragnar Stormbringer Tales (Sword and Sorcery), the Hongvi Shadow Walker Tales (Sword and Sorcery) the Faraway Saga (YA Dystopian), 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), and the Harvey and Solomon Tales (Steampunk).

Stephen’s visual work includes the feature film Shadows Light, shorts films such as The Sirens and Swordbearer, and the Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart TV Pilot. Stephen also co-hosts the Star Chamber Show, a weekly live audio podcast featuring creative talents from around the world.

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

Author Links:

Website: www.stephenzimmer.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephenzimmer7

X App (Formerly Twitter): @sgzimmer

Instagram: @stephenzimmer7

Threads: @stephenzimmer7

TikTok: @stephenzimmer7

Tour Schedule and Activities

6/17 Sapphyria's Books Blog Guest Post

6/17 The Scribblings of Sarah E. Glenn Blog Interview

6/17 War Dove (YouTube channel) Podcast Interview