Jeff Zentner is an author of several young adult novels including ''The Serpent King'' and ''In the Wild Light''. His adult novel ''Colton Gentry’s Third Act'' was on released April 30th, 2024.

Biography

Before focusing on writing, Zentner worked as a singer-songwriter, releasing three albums as a solo artist and two with a band. Additionally, he has recorded music with

Nick Cave Nicholas Edward Cave (born 22 September 1957) is an Australian musician, writer, and actor who fronts the rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Known for his baritone voice, Cave's music is characterised by emotional intensity, a wide variety ...

Debbie Harry Deborah Ann Harry (born Angela Trimble, July 1, 1945) is an American singer, songwriter and actress, best known as the lead vocalist of the band Blondie (band), Blondie. Four of her songs with the band reached on the US charts between 1979 and 1 ...

, and

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. In his mid-30s, he turned his creative efforts toward creative writing. Zentner presently lives in

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...

and works full-time as a lawyer in addition to writing

Awards and honors

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of ...

'' named Zentner a PW Flying Start in 2016. ''The Serpent King'' received starred reviews from ''

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus. The magazine's publisher, Kirkus Media, is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fiction, no ...

'', ''

'', and ''

Shelf Awareness Shelf Awareness is an American publishing company that produces two e-zines focused on bookselling, books, and book reviews: ''Shelf Awareness'' is aimed at general consumers, while ''Shelf Awareness Pro'' caters for industry professionals. ...

''.

Hudson Booksellers Hudson, one of the largest travel retailers in North America, is a wholly owned subsidiary of international travel retailer Avolta, Avolta AG, formerly Dufry AG, of Basel, Switzerland. Based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States, the com ...

, ''Publishers Weekly,'' and ''Shelf Awareness'' named it one of the best teen novels of 2016. ''Goodbye Days'' received a starred review from ''Publishers Weekly'' and ''Shelf Awareness''. The

Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Southern Book Prize (formerly the SEBA Book Award and SIBA Book Award) is a literary award given by the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA). It was first awarded in 1999.Summer, Bob (1999). "SEBA presents first book awards." ''Publishe ...

included ''Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee'' on their 2019 Winter Okra Picks. The book received starred reviews from ''

Booklist ''Booklist'' is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. ''Booklist''s primary audience consists of libraries, educators, and booksellers. The magazine is ...

'' and ''Publishers Weekly.'' ''In the Wild Light'' received starred reviews from ''Booklist,'' ''Kirkus Reviews,'' ''Publishers Weekly,'' and ''

School Library Journal ''School Library Journal'' (''SLJ'') is an American monthly magazine containing reviews and other articles for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, wi ...

''. ''Publishers Weekly'' named it one of the top ten young adult novels of 2021.

Publications

* ''The Serpent King'' (2016) * ''Goodbye Days'' (2017) * ''Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee'' (2019) * '' In the Wild Light'' (2021) * ''Colton Gentry's Third Act'' (2024) * ''Sunrise Nights,'' co-authored with Brittany Cavallaro (2024)

References

External links

Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zentner, Jeff 21st-century American writers Writers from Nashville, Tennessee Year of birth missing (living people) Living people