The Oaql Seed: Book One of the Treeboat Series by Z.A. Ispharazi is described as a psychedelic tale for millennials, but balances the fine tightrope of adult speculative fiction with a PG rating for parents who want to spark their child’s sense of wonder for nature.
The novel was inspired by anthropological trips to the Peruvian Amazon where late night lore by candlelight is still common. However, the writing process took place in New York, where Ispharazi was born and raised, and where he continues draw from a wellspring of inspiration.
The final drafts were completed in quiet spots around Hamlin Beach State Park, the parks in Rochester, the preserves in Webster, and around the SUNY Brockport campus between post-baccalaureate classes the author completed from 2019 to 2021.
“Having been born in NYC, I want to emphasize to my fellow creatives the importance of the nature we are surrounded by in upper NY; not only for our creativity, but for our mental and physical health. Beyond this, we are expressions of nature—we are never outside of it—so our connection to nature is really about a connection to ourselves,” Ispharazi said.
These themes are woven into The Oaql Seed via many main characters, in an intentional divergence from the idea of the lone hero’s journey.
Z.A. Ispharazi will be at Lift Bridge Book Shop in Brockport for Small Business Saturday on November 27. Paperback copies of the book will be available and the author says he is always looking for kindred spirits to connect with.
Learn more about Z.A. Ispharazi at www.weavingthevine.com or find him on social media @weavingthevine.
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