WE DON’T SWIM HERE by Vincent Tirado — Out Now!


Vincent Tirado‘s latest chilling YA horror novel, WE DON’T SWIM HERE, is out today! Published by Sourcebooks Fire, here’s the synopsis…

Anais knows the rules keep everyone in Hillwoods safe. Her cousin is intent on breaking them. A new, chill-inducing YA Horror for fans of Tiffany D. Jackson and Lamar Giles.

Bronwyn is only supposed to be in rural Hillwoods for a year. Her grandmother is in hospice, and her father needs to get her affairs in order. And they’re all meant to make some final memories together. 

Except Bronwyn is miserable. Her grandmother is dying, everyone is standoffish, and she can’t even go swimming. All she hears are warnings about going in the water, despite a gorgeous lake. And a pool at the abandoned rec center. And another in the high school basement.

Anais tries her hardest to protect Bronwyn from the shadows of Hillwoods. She follows her own rituals to avoid any unnecessary attention—and if she can just get Bronwyn to stop asking questions, she can protect her too. The less Bronwyn pays attention to Hillwoods, the less Hillwoods will pay attention to Bronwyn. She doesn’t get that the lore is, well, truth. History. Pain. The living aren’t the only ones who seek retribution when they’re wronged. But when Bronwyn does more exploring than she should, they are both in for danger they couldn’t expect.

Tirado’s acclaimed debut novel, BURN DOWN, RISE UP is also available, published by Sourcebooks Fire.

‘A speculative horror that blends elements of horror with a history of gentrification and systemic racism.’ – Publishers Weekly

‘Tirado’s unsettling debut is a love letter to the Bronx and the community that makes it. The perfect pick for horror lovers still looking for a light at the end of the tunnel.’ – Booklist

BURN DOWN, RISE UP is a brilliant contemporary horror that masterfully emphasizes the dark history of the Bronx into the thing of urban legends. The writing and the wonderful world-building is sure to stick with you for days after you read.’Bookish Brews

‘A queer, heart-pounding thrill ride. Fans of Attack the Block and Vampires vs. the Bronx: prepare for your newest obsession.’ — Ryan DouglassNew York Times bestselling author

‘It is like if Nightmare on Elm Street, Get Out, and The Get Down had a baby.’ – Isis Asare, Sistah Scifi bookstore

Vincent Tirado’s BURN DOWN, RISE UP: New North American Paperback Edition Out Now!


The new paperback edition of Vincent Tirado‘s BURN DOWN, RISE UP is out now in North America! Published by Sourcebooks Fire, here’s the synopsis…

Mysterious disappearances. An urban legend rumored to be responsible. And one group of friends determined to save their city at any cost. Stranger Things meets Jordan Peele in this utterly original debut from an incredible new voice.

For over a year, the Bronx has been plagued by sudden disappearances that no one can explain. Sixteen-year-old Raquel does her best to ignore it. After all, the police only look for the white kids. But when her crush Charlize’s cousin goes missing, Raquel starts to pay attention-especially when her own mom comes down with a mysterious illness that seems linked to the disappearances.

Raquel and Charlize team up to investigate, but they soon discover that everything is tied to a terrifying urban legend called the Echo Game. The game is rumored to trap people in a sinister world underneath the city, and the rules are based on a particularly dark chapter in New York’s past. And if the friends want to save their home and everyone they love, they will have to play the game and destroy the evil at its heart-or die trying.

The paperback edition is available in the UK from May 4th. Tirado’s next novel is WE DON’T SWIM HERE, which is also due to be published by Sourcebooks Fire on May 4th.

Here are just a few of the reviews BURN DOWN, RISE UP has received…

‘A speculative horror that blends elements of horror with a history of gentrification and systemic racism.’ – Publishers Weekly

‘Tirado’s unsettling debut is a love letter to the Bronx and the community that makes it. The perfect pick for horror lovers still looking for a light at the end of the tunnel.’ – Booklist

BURN DOWN, RISE UP is a brilliant contemporary horror that masterfully emphasizes the dark history of the Bronx into the thing of urban legends. The writing and the wonderful world-building is sure to stick with you for days after you read.’ — Bookish Brews

‘A queer, heart-pounding thrill ride. Fans of Attack the Block and Vampires vs. the Bronx: prepare for your newest obsession.’ — Ryan DouglassNew York Times bestselling author

‘It is like if Nightmare on Elm Street, Get Out, and The Get Down had a baby.’ – Isis Asare, Sistah Scifi bookstore

New Paperback Cover for Vincent Tirado’s BURN DOWN, RISE UP!


The paperback edition of Vincent Tirado‘s BURN DOWN, RISE UP is getting a creepy new cover! Due to be published by Sourcebooks Fire on May 4th, here’s the synopsis…

Mysterious disappearances. An urban legend rumored to be responsible. And one group of friends determined to save their city at any cost. Stranger Things meets Jordan Peele in this utterly original debut from an incredible new voice.

For over a year, the Bronx has been plagued by sudden disappearances that no one can explain. Sixteen-year-old Raquel does her best to ignore it. After all, the police only look for the white kids. But when her crush Charlize’s cousin goes missing, Raquel starts to pay attention-especially when her own mom comes down with a mysterious illness that seems linked to the disappearances.

Raquel and Charlize team up to investigate, but they soon discover that everything is tied to a terrifying urban legend called the Echo Game. The game is rumored to trap people in a sinister world underneath the city, and the rules are based on a particularly dark chapter in New York’s past. And if the friends want to save their home and everyone they love, they will have to play the game and destroy the evil at its heart-or die trying.

Tirado’s next novel is WE DON’T SWIM HERE, due out in May, also via Sourcebooks Fire.

Here are just a few of the reviews BURN DOWN, RISE UP has received…

‘A speculative horror that blends elements of horror with a history of gentrification and systemic racism.’ – Publishers Weekly

‘Tirado’s unsettling debut is a love letter to the Bronx and the community that makes it. The perfect pick for horror lovers still looking for a light at the end of the tunnel.’ – Booklist

BURN DOWN, RISE UP is a brilliant contemporary horror that masterfully emphasizes the dark history of the Bronx into the thing of urban legends. The writing and the wonderful world-building is sure to stick with you for days after you read.’ — Bookish Brews

‘A queer, heart-pounding thrill ride. Fans of Attack the Block and Vampires vs. the Bronx: prepare for your newest obsession.’ — Ryan DouglassNew York Times bestselling author

‘It is like if Nightmare on Elm Street, Get Out, and The Get Down had a baby.’ – Isis Asare, Sistah Scifi bookstore

Vincent Tirado’s WE DON’T SWIM HERE — Out in May 2023!


Today, we’re very happy to share the cover for Vincent Tirado‘s upcoming chilling YA horror novel, WE DON’T SWIM HERE. Due to be published by Sourcebooks Fire, on May 2nd, 2023, here’s the synopsis…

Anais knows the rules keep everyone in Hillwoods safe. Her cousin is intent on breaking them. A new, chill-inducing YA Horror for fans of Tiffany D. Jackson and Lamar Giles.

Bronwyn is only supposed to be in rural Hillwoods for a year. Her grandmother is in hospice, and her father needs to get her affairs in order. And they’re all meant to make some final memories together. 

Except Bronwyn is miserable. Her grandmother is dying, everyone is standoffish, and she can’t even go swimming. All she hears are warnings about going in the water, despite a gorgeous lake. And a pool at the abandoned rec center. And another in the high school basement.

Anais tries her hardest to protect Bronwyn from the shadows of Hillwoods. She follows her own rituals to avoid any unnecessary attention—and if she can just get Bronwyn to stop asking questions, she can protect her too. The less Bronwyn pays attention to Hillwoods, the less Hillwoods will pay attention to Bronwyn. She doesn’t get that the lore is, well, truth. History. Pain. The living aren’t the only ones who seek retribution when they’re wronged. But when Bronwyn does more exploring than she should, they are both in for danger they couldn’t expect.

Tirado’s acclaimed debut novel, BURN DOWN, RISE UP is available now, also published by Sourcebooks Fire.

‘A speculative horror that blends elements of horror with a history of gentrification and systemic racism.’ – Publishers Weekly

‘Tirado’s unsettling debut is a love letter to the Bronx and the community that makes it. The perfect pick for horror lovers still looking for a light at the end of the tunnel.’ – Booklist

BURN DOWN, RISE UP is a brilliant contemporary horror that masterfully emphasizes the dark history of the Bronx into the thing of urban legends. The writing and the wonderful world-building is sure to stick with you for days after you read.’Bookish Brews

‘A queer, heart-pounding thrill ride. Fans of Attack the Block and Vampires vs. the Bronx: prepare for your newest obsession.’ — Ryan DouglassNew York Times bestselling author

‘It is like if Nightmare on Elm Street, Get Out, and The Get Down had a baby.’ – Isis Asare, Sistah Scifi bookstore

Zeno at YALC!


YALC is this weekend, as part of the London Film & Comic Con. Zeno will be nicely represented by two of our agents — Stevie Finegan and Kristina Pérez, both of whom will be taking part in Agent 1-2-1s on Saturday, July 9th (1pm) in the Agent Arena.

In addition to Stevie and Kristina, two of our authors are also going to be attending!

Josh Winning, the author of the acclaimed debut THE SHADOW GLASS (Titan), will be taking part in the “Try the Fantasy” panel, which will ‘discuss the fun and fantastical world of fantasy YA fiction, and why we can’t get enough of these magical worlds.’

Here’s the synopsis for THE SHADOW GLASS

Jack Corman is failing at life.

Jobless, jaded and on the “wrong” side of thirty, he’s facing the threat of eviction from his London flat while reeling from the sudden death of his father, one-time film director Bob Corman. Back in the eighties, Bob poured his heart and soul into the creation of his 1986 puppet fantasy The Shadow Glass, a film Jack loved as a child, idolising its fox-like hero Dune.

But The Shadow Glass flopped on release, deemed too scary for kids and too weird for adults, and Bob became a laughing stock, losing himself to booze and self-pity. Now, the film represents everything Jack hated about his father, and he lives with the fear that he’ll end up a failure just like him.

In the wake of Bob’s death, Jack returns to his decaying home, a place creaking with movie memorabilia and painful memories. Then, during a freak thunderstorm, the puppets in the attic start talking. Tipped into a desperate real-world quest to save London from the more nefarious of his father’s creations, Jack teams up with excitable fanboy Toby and spiky studio executive Amelia to navigate the labyrinth of his father’s legacy while conjuring the hero within –– and igniting a Shadow Glass resurgence that could, finally, do his father proud.

Vincent Tirado, debut author of the acclaimed BURN DOWN, RISE UP (Sourcebooks Fire), will be taking part in the “History Repeating” panel, which will ‘explore the challenges and triumphs that come with bringing history back to life in new and exciting ways.’

Here’s the synopsis for BURN DOWN, RISE UP

Mysterious disappearances. An urban legend rumored to be responsible. And one group of friends determined to save their city at any cost. Stranger Things meets Jordan Peele in this utterly original debut from an incredible new voice.

For over a year, the Bronx has been plagued by sudden disappearances that no one can explain. Sixteen-year-old Raquel does her best to ignore it. After all, the police only look for the white kids. But when her crush Charlize’s cousin goes missing, Raquel starts to pay attention-especially when her own mom comes down with a mysterious illness that seems linked to the disappearances.

Raquel and Charlize team up to investigate, but they soon discover that everything is tied to a terrifying urban legend called the Echo Game. The game is rumored to trap people in a sinister world underneath the city, and the rules are based on a particularly dark chapter in New York’s past. And if the friends want to save their home and everyone they love, they will have to play the game and destroy the evil at its heart-or die trying.

BURN DOWN, RISE UP Available in Print & Vincent Tirado at YALC!


The print edition of Vincent Tirado‘s debut novel, BURN DOWN, RISE UP is available now! The eBook has been out for a while, but for those who prefer their books on paper, the wait is over! Published by Sourcebooks Fire in the UK and North America, here’s the synopsis…

Mysterious disappearances. An urban legend rumored to be responsible. And one group of friends determined to save their city at any cost. Stranger Things meets Jordan Peele in this utterly original debut from an incredible new voice.

For over a year, the Bronx has been plagued by sudden disappearances that no one can explain. Sixteen-year-old Raquel does her best to ignore it. After all, the police only look for the white kids. But when her crush Charlize’s cousin goes missing, Raquel starts to pay attention-especially when her own mom comes down with a mysterious illness that seems linked to the disappearances.

Raquel and Charlize team up to investigate, but they soon discover that everything is tied to a terrifying urban legend called the Echo Game. The game is rumored to trap people in a sinister world underneath the city, and the rules are based on a particularly dark chapter in New York’s past. And if the friends want to save their home and everyone they love, they will have to play the game and destroy the evil at its heart-or die trying.

If you happen to be in London during July, the author will be appearing at YALC! Full details can be found here.

Here are just a few of the great reviews the novel has received so far…

‘A speculative horror that blends elements of horror with a history of gentrification and systemic racism.’ – Publishers Weekly

‘Tirado’s unsettling debut is a love letter to the Bronx and the community that makes it. The perfect pick for horror lovers still looking for a light at the end of the tunnel.’Booklist

‘Readers will be on the edge of their seats and will have the chance to explore societal issues in a new way to answer the question What are monsters?’School Library Journal (Starred Review)

BURN DOWN, RISE UP is a brilliant contemporary horror that masterfully emphasizes the dark history of the Bronx into the thing of urban legends. The writing and the wonderful world-building is sure to stick with you for days after you read.’Bookish Brews

‘A queer, heart-pounding thrill ride. Fans of Attack the Block and Vampires vs. the Bronx: prepare for your newest obsession.’Ryan Douglass, New York Times bestselling author

‘It is like if Nightmare on Elm Street, Get Out, and The Get Down had a baby.’Isis Asare, Sistah Scifi bookstore

‘A sense of dread and… plenty of vivid action sequences to keep readers engaged.’Youth Services Book Review

Vincent Tirado’s BURN DOWN, RISE UP eBook Edition is out now!


Vincent Tirado‘s highly-anticipated debut novel, BURN DOWN, RISE UP is out today in eBook! Published by Sourcebooks Fire, here’s the synopsis…

Mysterious disappearances. An urban legend rumored to be responsible. And one group of friends determined to save their city at any cost. Stranger Things meets Jordan Peele in this utterly original debut from an incredible new voice.

For over a year, the Bronx has been plagued by sudden disappearances that no one can explain. Sixteen-year-old Raquel does her best to ignore it. After all, the police only look for the white kids. But when her crush Charlize’s cousin goes missing, Raquel starts to pay attention — especially when her own mom comes down with a mysterious illness that seems linked to the disappearances.

Raquel and Charlize team up to investigate, but they soon discover that everything is tied to a terrifying urban legend called the Echo Game. The game is rumored to trap people in a sinister world underneath the city, and the rules are based on a particularly dark chapter in New York’s past. And if the friends want to save their home and everyone they love, they will have to play the game and destroy the evil at its heart — or die trying.

The print edition of the novel is due to be published in June.

‘Tirado’s unsettling debut is a love letter to the Bronx and the community that makes it. The perfect pick for horror lovers still looking for a light at the end of the tunnel.’Booklist

‘A queer, heart-pounding thrill ride. Fans of Attack the Block and Vampires vs. the Bronx: prepare for your newest obsession.’Ryan Douglass, New York Times bestselling author

BURN DOWN, RISE UP is a brilliant contemporary horror that masterfully emphasizes the dark history of the Bronx into the thing of urban legends. The writing and the wonderful world-building is sure to stick with you for days after you read.’Bookish Brews

‘It is like if Nightmare on Elm Street, Get Out, and The Get Down had a baby.’Isis Asare, Sistah Scifi bookstore

Vincent Tirado’s BURN DOWN, RISE UP is out in Two Weeks!


There are only two weeks to go until the (eBook) publication of Vincent Tirado‘s upcoming debut novel, BURN DOWN, RISE UP! Due out on May 3rd, via Sourcebooks Fire in North America and in the UK, here’s the synopsis…

Mysterious disappearances. An urban legend rumored to be responsible. And one group of friends determined to save their city at any cost. Stranger Things meets Jordan Peele in this utterly original debut from an incredible new voice.

For over a year, the Bronx has been plagued by sudden disappearances that no one can explain. Sixteen-year-old Raquel does her best to ignore it. After all, the police only look for the white kids. But when her crush Charlize’s cousin goes missing, Raquel starts to pay attention — especially when her own mom comes down with a mysterious illness that seems linked to the disappearances.

Raquel and Charlize team up to investigate, but they soon discover that everything is tied to a terrifying urban legend called the Echo Game. The game is rumored to trap people in a sinister world underneath the city, and the rules are based on a particularly dark chapter in New York’s past. And if the friends want to save their home and everyone they love, they will have to play the game and destroy the evil at its heart — or die trying.

If you’re reading this and you’re a book reviewer, you can click on the publisher link (above) to request a review copy.

Coming Soon: BURN DOWN, RISE UP by Vincent Tirado!


We’re very happy to be able to share with you the cover for Vincent Tirado‘s upcoming debut novel, BURN DOWN, RISE UP! Due to be published by Sourcebooks Fire in North America and in the UK, in May 2022, here’s the synopsis…

Mysterious disappearances. An urban legend rumored to be responsible. And one group of friends determined to save their city at any cost. Stranger Things meets Jordan Peele in this utterly original debut from an incredible new voice.

For over a year, the Bronx has been plagued by sudden disappearances that no one can explain. Sixteen-year-old Raquel does her best to ignore it. After all, the police only look for the white kids. But when her crush Charlize’s cousin goes missing, Raquel starts to pay attention — especially when her own mom comes down with a mysterious illness that seems linked to the disappearances.

Raquel and Charlize team up to investigate, but they soon discover that everything is tied to a terrifying urban legend called the Echo Game. The game is rumored to trap people in a sinister world underneath the city, and the rules are based on a particularly dark chapter in New York’s past. And if the friends want to save their home and everyone they love, they will have to play the game and destroy the evil at its heart — or die trying.

If you’re reading this and you’re a book reviewer, you can click on the publisher link (above) to request a review copy! (Feel free to tag us in your reviews on Twitter, with @zenoagency.)