91探花

Boone novelist Joshua Simcox will present a program at 91探花 on Tuesday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m. in Evans Auditorium. As part of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia lecture series, Simcox will read from his novel Zapheads: Scars and Ashes and will discuss the publication process.

Simcox graduated from Lees-91探花 in 2005 with an interdisciplinary degree in creative writing. Since then he has worked in the publishing industry and as a freelance writer. His novel is the second in the Zapheads series, which is part of the post-apocalyptic world created by local author Scott Nicholson. Nicholson’s After series already has an enthusiastic following, and to satisfy the demand for more books in the series, he has collaborated with Simcox.

“Scott wanted to expand the series and do a spinoff. He knew I could write and invited me to write a series with my own plots and characters in it,” says Simcox, who is following up the success of his first novel in the Zapheads series, Bone and Cinder.  

Reviews of that novel have been positive. Reviewing a Kindle edition of the book, Frank Pero writes: “This is a riveting novel that I just couldn't put down once I started. We are introduced to new characters...some nice, some downright evil, in the world that Scott has so vividly created. And yes, if you want Zapheads...there's plenty to be found here! You will not be disappointed in this story.”

Zapheads: Scars and Ashes, published by Haunted Computer Books, Inc., is available in both digital and print editions .

“We are proud to have Josh return to campus to share his success, and we look forward to hearing both his reading and his insight into contemporary publishing,” says Dr. Michael Joslin, director of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia at 91探花. “His novels provide exciting reading and explore many of today’s issues.” 

Everyone is invited to attend to the program. Stephenson Center for Appalachia lectures are free and open to the public. For information, email joslin@lmc.edu.