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.

Jeff Zentner
Occupationwriter
NationalityAmerican
GenreYoung adult, adult fiction
Notable awards
Website
jeffzentnerbooks.com

Biography

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Before focusing on writing, Zentner worked as a singer-songwriter, releasing three albums as a solo artist and two with a band.[1] Additionally, he has recorded music with Nick Cave, Debbie Harry, and Iggy Pop.[1] In his mid-30s, he turned his creative efforts toward creative writing.[1]

Zentner presently lives in Nashville, Tennessee and works full-time as a lawyer in addition to writing[2]

Awards and honors

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Publishers Weekly named Zentner a PW Flying Start in 2016.[3][1]

The Serpent King received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews,[4] Publishers Weekly,[5] and Shelf Awareness.[6] Hudson Booksellers,[7] Publishers Weekly,[8] and Shelf Awareness[9] named it one of the best teen novels of 2016. Goodbye Days received a starred review from Publishers Weekly[10] and Shelf Awareness.[11] The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance included Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee on their 2019 Winter Okra Picks.[12] The book received starred reviews from Booklist[13] and Publishers Weekly.[14] In the Wild Light received starred reviews from Booklist,[15][16] Kirkus Reviews,[17] Publishers Weekly,[18] and School Library Journal.[19] Publishers Weekly named it one of the top ten young adult novels of 2021.[20]

Awards for Zentner's writing
Year Title Award Result Ref.
2016 The Serpent King Goodreads Choice Award for Debut Goodreads Author Nominee [21]
Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fiction Nominee [21]
2017 ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults Top 10 [22][23]
Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award Winner [24]
William C. Morris YA Debut Award Winner [25][26][27][2]
Goodbye Days AML Award for Best Young Adult Novel Winner [28]
Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fiction Nominee [28]
2018 ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults Top 10 [29]
Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Selection [30]
2020 Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults Selection [31][32]
Southern Book Prize for Children's Finalist [33]
2022 In the Wild Light Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award Winner [34]
ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults Top 10 [35][36]
Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Selection [37]

Publications

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  • The Serpent King (2016)
  • Goodbye Days (2017)
  • Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee (2019)
  • In the Wild Light (2021)
  • Colton Gentry's Third Act (2024)[38]
  • Sunrise Nights, co-authored with Brittany Cavallaro (2024)[39]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Centorcelli, Kristin (2016-07-01). "Spring 2016 Flying Starts: Jeff Zentner". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  2. ^ a b Coulter, Emilie (March 7, 2017). "Jeff Zentner: Mood, Ambience and Melody". Shelf Awareness. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  3. ^ Grochowski, Sara (2021-07-27). "Q & A with Jeff Zentner". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  4. ^ "The Serpent King". Kirkus Reviews. 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  5. ^ "The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  6. ^ "The Serpent King". Shelf Awareness . March 8, 2016. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  7. ^ "Hudson Booksellers' Best Books of 2016". Shelf Awareness. November 2, 2016. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  8. ^ "Best Books 2016". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  9. ^ "Our Best Children's & Teen Books of the Year". Shelf Awareness. December 13, 2016. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  10. ^ "Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  11. ^ "Goodbye Days". Shelf Awareness. March 7, 2017. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  12. ^ "SIBA's Winter Okra Picks". Shelf Awareness. February 20, 2019. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  13. ^ Colson, Diane (November 15, 2018). "Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee". Booklist. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  14. ^ "Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee by Jeff Zentner". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  15. ^ Richey, Alex (September 15, 2021). "In the Wild Light". Booklist. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  16. ^ Cart, Michael (August 2021). "In the Wild Light". Booklist. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  17. ^ "In the Wild Light". Kirkus Reviews. May 26, 2021. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  18. ^ "In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  19. ^ Giles, Elizabeth (2021-08-01). "In the Wild Light". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  20. ^ "Best Books 2021: Publishers Weekly". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  21. ^ a b "The Serpent King". Goodreads. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  22. ^ Diaz, Shelley (2017-01-25). "APALA, Bloomer, YALSA Awards Announced | ALA Midwinter 2017". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  23. ^ O'Connor, Nichole (2017-01-31). "YALSA names 2017 Best Fiction for Young Adults". American Library Association. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  24. ^ "The Walden Award". Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of NCTE. 2021-07-30. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  25. ^ "Morris Award Winner: 2017". Booklist. January 23, 2017. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  26. ^ "Morris Award 2017". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2017-12-05. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  27. ^ Communications and Marketing Office (2017-01-23). "'The Serpent King' wins 2017 William C. Morris Award". American Library Association. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  28. ^ a b "Goodbye Days". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  29. ^ "2018 Top Ten Best Fiction". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2018-02-14. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  30. ^ "Goodbye Days | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. August 1, 2018. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  31. ^ "Best Fiction for Young Adults: 2020". Booklist. March 15, 2020. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  32. ^ "2020 Best Fiction for Young Adults". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2020-01-21. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  33. ^ "Awards: Southern Book Prize Finalists". Shelf Awareness. November 4, 2019. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  34. ^ "2022 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award Winner & Finalists Announced". Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of NCTE. 2022-05-11. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  35. ^ "2022 Top Ten Best Fiction". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2022-02-04. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  36. ^ "YALSA names 2022 Best Fiction for Young Adults". American Library Association. 2022-02-04. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  37. ^ "2022 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  38. ^ Deahl |, Rachel. "Book Deals: Week of October 17, 2022". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  39. ^ "Rights Report: Week of May 8, 2023". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
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