So today I'm pleased to share with you all a guest post from the fantastic author Stephen Zimmer. Have you ever want to know more about your favorite authors? I know I have so I am asking some of my favs to share 10 things we don't know about them. Author Stephen Zimmer is my first guinea pig for this. Thank you so much Stephen for sharing these 10 facts with us.
1. Worked in Cancer Research Laboratory
Yes, it is true, I spent a few summers
working in cancer research when growing up.
My father was a cutting-edge cancer researcher and I was fortunate to
have the opportunity to work in a lab setting and participate in a number of
different research activities. This was
a fantastic experience that gave me a tremendous appreciation for scientists
and the laborious, painstaking process they go through in research.
2. Scuba Diving Certified
Scuba diving was offered as an option for a
PE credit at Hardin-Simmons University, and I jumped onto that
opportunity. I’ve never been a fast
runner, but I’ve always been a strong swimmer, and this seemed like a good
fit. The experience was incredible, like
nothing I’d ever been through before and I hope to get back to diving more in
the future.
3. Played guitar in a rock band
I played guitar, with a flying V and a star
body guitar, both Ibanez models. For a
few years in high school I was a part of some bands that largely did rock
covers. True story: I came in first
place with my friend Mark Frisiello when we did a drum and guitar instrumental
version of Kiss’ “Heaven’s On Fire” for the Lexington Catholic talent show
during my senior year. J
4. Taught Sunday School
Believe it or not, yours truly had an
opportunity to be a teacher in Sunday school for about a year. I really enjoyed this experience, assisting
Father Frank Brawner and Kevin Wilson at Christ the King in Lexington. We went on a wonderful field trip that year
to visit a convent that is part of the same order as Mother Theresa belonged
to.
5. Stage Acted in High School
What a wonderful performance it was, portraying
Count Mountjoy in The Mouse That Roared during my high school years. In eight grade I was Al, of Al’s Diner, in a
Happy Day’s play, that included a solo song as it was a musical! I still can’t
believe I sang solo!
6. Played baseball up to the college level
I played for Lexington Catholic High School
as a pitcher, and then didn’t make the cut at the University of Kentucky. I
played a couple of summers with a semi-pro team based in central Kentucky, the
Kentucky Stars (who included some guys who made the big leagues, like Chris
Snopek), and then got a chance to go to Hardin-Simmons University as a relief
pitcher. Unfortunately, I hurt my rotator cuff and had to get shoulder-surgery. Then again, when recovering, I decided to focus
fully on my creative path.
7. High School Math Team
I was a member of the math team at
Lexington Catholic high school (as well as the Academic Challenge team). Math was always one of my stronger subjects
in school, and while I was not the top performer on the team, I did contribute,
and always remember my coaches Lee McGrath (for the math team) and the
legendary Mark Batson (for the Academic Challenge team.) Good times!
8. Barry Manilow and Seal Fan
Yes, this heavy metal and hard rock fanatic
has a strange affinity for the music of both Barry Manilow and Seal. My folks played Manilow quite a bit growing
up, so it evokes a more magical time in my mind. I confess, I am a “Fanilow”! Saw him on a trip to Vegas with my mother and
sister, and the show was incredible. As
for Seal, I’ve always found his voice so distinctive and soulful, and really
loved his music. (I’ll also give an
honorable mention to Elton John here too!)
9. Assistant Weight lifting coach for
Lexington Catholic’s very first high school football team.
I used to be in fantastic shape during my
early college years, and was an avid weight lifter. I helped assist Coach Bob Spire with weightlifting
sessions for students at Lexington Catholic the year prior to the first
football season at the high school. So
you could say I was an active participant of the team’s earliest incarnation!
10. Booked and managed rock bands
Having friends in heavy metal bands in
college, and being into writing and journalism, videography, media, and things
like that, I got started helping bands out and this evolved into a period where
I actively booked some clubs, set up all kinds of shows, managed some bands,
and even had a small stint running an indie record label. Enjoyed doing some national acts in the genres
I liked, having done shows for Quiet Riot, Jackyl, Nevermore, Flotsam and
Jetsam, Overkill, and more. The music
business is a really tough one, and I have a great admiration for those who
stick it out and pursue their dreams in the really difficult industry climate
today.
Hope you enjoyed these 10 little known facts
about me! Be sure to connect with me
online at the following links:
Twitter: @sgzimmer
Born in Denver Colorado in 1974, Stephen Zimmer is an author and filmmaker currently residing in Lexington, Kentucky. The Exodus Gate, the first book in the Rising Dawn Saga, was Stephen's debut novel, published through Seventh Star Press. Stephen's independent films as a writer/director include the indie feature Shadows Light (Modern Fantasy/Supernatural Thriller) and the horror short film The Sirens (on the Indie Movie Masters Festival of Horrors Vol. 1 DVD)"
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