MJ Wassmer’s ZERO STARS, DO NOT RECOMMEND is out Today in the UK!


MJ Wassmer‘s highly-anticipated debut, ZERO STARS, DO NOT RECOMMEND is out today in the UK! A humorous, laugh-out-loud take on the apocalypse, it’s published by Zaffre Books. Here’s the synopsis…

What happens when you’re on holiday and the sun explodes?

> Passport
> Suncream
> Apocalypse???

Professional underachiever Dan Foster is finally taking a break. Sure, his life has been average at best and, yes, he has never has quite lived up to his potential. But after a few Bud Lights in paradise with his girlfriend Mara, things are starting to look up.

Then the sun explodes.

With the island suddenly plunged into darkness, the ultra-rich guests hijack the remaining supplies and declare themselves the new ruling class. Led by a fitness influencer turned ruthless dictator, martial law is declared and the hoi polloi are press-ganged into service. And it’s just Dan’s luck that he could land an even worse job while on holiday.

As temperatures drop and class tensions rise, Dan might have found a way for himself and Mara to escape the island. But sneaking away would also mean abandoning the burgeoning revolution that he might-have-kind-of-sort-of single-handedly started.

The novel racked up a number of great advance reviews. Here are just a handful of them…

‘A life-or-death action-packed debut… a romp and a page-turner… Wassmer’s debut novel succeeds in being the opposite of its title. He might become a new favorite for fans of John Scalzi and David Wong.’ — Library Journal (Starred Review)

‘This is Lord Of The Flies meets an all-inclusive bar, with incredible results. MJ Wassmer has written a totally original brainmelter — part thriller, part comedy, and part inspiring love story.’ — Alice Bell, author of Grave Expectations and Displeasure Island

‘Fresh, fun, and completely brilliant. ZERO STARS, DO NOT RECOMMEND combines a terrifyingly plausible apocalyptic fallout with an utterly original comedic voice. Who would have thought the end of the world could be this much fun!’ — Sarah Bonner, author of Her Perfect Twin and Her Sweet Revenge

‘The end of the world has never been so fun! Explosively funny and terrifyingly plausible in its depiction of the apocalypse, this cinematic debut had me LOLing, cringing and cheering throughout. I absolutely blazed through this earth-shattering action romp.’ — Josh Winning, author of The Shadow Glass

Zeno represents MJ Wassmer in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

MJ Wassmer’s ZERO STARS, DO NOT RECOMMEND Out in Two Weeks!


The UK edition of MJ Wassmer‘s highly-anticipated debut, ZERO STARS, DO NOT RECOMMEND is out in two weeks! Due to be published by Zaffre Books on July 4th, here’s the synopsis…

What happens when you’re on holiday and the sun explodes?

> Passport
> Suncream
> Apocalypse???

Professional underachiever Dan Foster is finally taking a break. Sure, his life has been average at best and, yes, he has never has quite lived up to his potential. But after a few Bud Lights in paradise with his girlfriend Mara, things are starting to look up.

Then the sun explodes.

With the island suddenly plunged into darkness, the ultra-rich guests hijack the remaining supplies and declare themselves the new ruling class. Led by a fitness influencer turned ruthless dictator, martial law is declared and the hoi polloi are press-ganged into service. And it’s just Dan’s luck that he could land an even worse job while on holiday.

As temperatures drop and class tensions rise, Dan might have found a way for himself and Mara to escape the island. But sneaking away would also mean abandoning the burgeoning revolution that he might-have-kind-of-sort-of single-handedly started.

Here are just a small sample taken from the advance praise that the novel has received so far…

‘A life-or-death action-packed debut… a romp and a page-turner… Wassmer’s debut novel succeeds in being the opposite of its title. He might become a new favorite for fans of John Scalzi and David Wong.’ — Library Journal (Starred Review)

‘This is Lord Of The Flies meets an all-inclusive bar, with incredible results. MJ Wassmer has written a totally original brainmelter — part thriller, part comedy, and part inspiring love story.’ — Alice Bell, author of Grave Expectations and Displeasure Island

‘Fresh, fun, and completely brilliant. ZERO STARS, DO NOT RECOMMEND combines a terrifyingly plausible apocalyptic fallout with an utterly original comedic voice. Who would have thought the end of the world could be this much fun!’ — Sarah Bonner, author of Her Perfect Twin and Her Sweet Revenge

‘The end of the world has never been so fun! Explosively funny and terrifyingly plausible in its depiction of the apocalypse, this cinematic debut had me LOLing, cringing and cheering throughout. I absolutely blazed through this earth-shattering action romp.’ — Josh Winning, author of The Shadow Glass

Zeno represents MJ Wassmer in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Another new Russian edition of A NIGHT IN THE LONESOME OCTOBER…


Эксмо has released a new edition of Roger Zelazny‘s classic A NIGHT IN THE LONESOME OCTOBER. Published in Russia as Ночь в одиноком октябре, here’s the synopsis…

В Лондоне конца XIX века под покровом тумана промозглого октября в Великой Игре сойдутся известнейшие персоны своего времени и их питомцы-помощники. Смогут ли игроки открыть врата в иной мир? В чем заключается их сила?

First published in 1993, the novel was re-published recently by Farrago (and for the first time in eBook). Here’s the English-language synopsis…

All is not what it seems…

In the murky London gloom, a knife-wielding gentleman named Jack prowls the midnight streets with his faithful watchdog Snuff – gathering together the grisly ingredients they will need for an upcoming ancient and unearthly rite. For soon after the death of the moon, black magic will summon the Elder Gods back into the world. And all manner of Players, both human and undead, are preparing to participate.

Some have come to open the gates. Some have come to slam them shut.

And now the dread night approaches – so let the Game begin.

The novel was very well-received when first published. Here’s what Neil Gaiman had to say: ‘One of Zelazny’s most delightful books: Jack the Ripper’s dog Snuff narrates a mad game of teams to cause or prevent armageddon.’

Zeno represents Roger Zelazny in Translation, on behalf of the Zelazny Estate.

50 Shades of A Simple Typo…


Back in July, Zeno client Charlie Human decided that he was going to go along with the frequent instances of a particular mistaken identity – a lot of people confuse his Twitter account with that of British actor Charlie Hunnam (Sons of AnarchyPacific Rim, etc.). In Zeno Charlie’s own words, he was ‘Kicking off my new strategy of taking credit for everything Charlie Hunnam does. I get enough tweets directed at him.’

Last week, however, Charlie woke up to the following, surprising Tweet…: ‘My dreams are coming true.. @charliehuman will be Christian [G]rey!!!’

This followed the news that Charlie Hunnam had been cast as the lead male character in the movie adaptation of 50 Shades of Grey. Much amusement ensued, and we suggest you head over to South Africa publisher Umuzi’s Books Live, where the exchanges have been collated for your reading pleasure.

Do be sure to pick up Charlie Human‘s APOCALYPSE NOW NOW, which was published last month by Century in the UK, to great (and growing) acclaim.

CharlieHuman-Author

Photo Credit: Deni Archer