Twenty-Two year old author Zachary Zilba seemed to appear out of nowhere this past year. With a much talked about novel that debuted on the web, and a look to die for, Zilba has blasted his way to the forefront of every browser's attention.
He has been called a literary prodigy, a genius, and even a Hemingway incarnate, but through the chaos of his sudden success, Zilba remains rather humble about such comparisons.
"It's hard for me to consider myself any of those," he says quietly, "I try not to take myself to seriously. I like to laugh at myself once in awhile. If I can't do that, then there's no fun in it."
Originally, Zilba's E-Novel was posted because he couldn't find a publisher, a choice, he says, was suggested by a friend. That 'choice' was a life changing decision. Since the debut of "Sadie Stories," a story about five young individuals growing up in a small town, Zilba has been overwhelmed by response, both from the community, and from the entertainment industry.
"He touches people," says Jeffrey Epstein, a producer and friend, "He says things that hit home. You read the story and you are just blown away. And then you think, 'Sheesh, a Twenty-two year old kid wrote this? What was I doing when I was Twenty-two?' Zach has given the younger generation a voice."
Another big element to Zilba's draw is his unorthodox appearance. "He has an amazing beauty about him," Author Ellen Behrens states, "I think what's inside him reflects outward, that power he has. You can see forever in that boy's eyes."
Although he maintains a rather low key existence, and is very protective of his personal life, it hasn't stopped rumors from bounding about.
"I've heard a lot of the rumors. It's very strange. I have heard of people pretending they know me, or are my best friend... it's a bit surreal. I think, 'Why is someone pretending to know me? What's so great about knowing me?'" He says with a laugh. "But you know... it's the internet."
Seems Zilba has tackled the ages most modern medium, and won. His book has been downloaded nearly a million times in three months, and fan sites are popping up like roses on a float. One thing is for sure, This is one virtuoso we will be hearing a lot more of. With a possible movie in the works, and even potential roles in Television and Music videos, as well as a second book on the way, and an anthology of Poetry titled "Book Of Dreams," Zachary Zilba has got the world on a string.
We'll certainly be on the look-out for this stunning talent in 2001!
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