Starkville High School student Ryan Mott is a featured artist in a just-released book by renowned paranormal author and researcher Brad Steiger.
“Real Zombies, The Living Dead, and Creatures of the Apocalypse” features a fantasy sketch by the talented ninth-grader as a spot illustration in Steiger”s latest work released this month. In keeping with the theme of the book, Mott”s piece depicts a zombie-like creature in anguish.
Steiger said he became aware of Mott”s work when he asked his close friend and the teen”s father, Michael Mott, a noted author and artist in his own right, for a contribution to his book.
“I was amazed when Mike informed me that this particular piece had been drawn by his 15-year-old son, Ryan. I was pleased and delighted to include the work in the book,” Steiger said. “I was touched by how skillfully he had captured the essence of emotions that such an individual, a lost soul, might experience. Artistic talent and creative expression do not recognize age boundaries, and Ryan”s talent is beyond question. ”
Released by Visible Ink Press, “Real Zombies” features 30 chilling stories of real-life zombie encounters, as well as a variety of zombie-related facts, including ceremonies and initiations, zombies throughout history, sacred zombie and voodoo-related sites, and zombies and monsters of the Bible.
“This is the first zombie I”ve ever done,” said Ryan, who has been drawing “since I can remember.” It”s also his first work of art to be published.
“I like (drawing) anything in the fantastical realm — monsters, heroes, anything in the fantasy genre.”
Steiger is the author or co-author of 168 books with over 17 million copies in print, including a biography of Rudolf Valentino which was made into a feature film by British director Ken Russell.
He has numerous television appearances to his credit including “Nightline,” ABC and NBC Evening News, the A&E series “The Unexplained,” “Entertainment Tonight,” “Haunted Hollywood” on HBO, “Inside Edition,” and 22 episodes of the documentary series “Could it Be a Miracle.”
“Real Zombies, The Living Dead, and Creatures of the Apocalypse” is available through bookstores everywhere, as well as online at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.
For more information about Steiger and his books, visit www.bradandsherry.com.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.