About the Author & Illustrator

Author Aaron Emmel's inspiration for this novel is a history entitled The Dawn-Breakers, written by Nabíl-i-A‘zam and translated by Shoghi Effendi. Emmel has edited and written for books, magazines, newspapers, and websites. He is the author of Taking Action in a Changing World, a handbook for positive social change. He currently oversees U.S. advocacy and policy for a global health and development organization. Visit him online at http://www.aaronemmel.com.

Illustrator C. Aaron Kreader has received numerous awards for his illustration and design in magazines, picture books, and games. He is a staff illustrator and graphic designer for the Brilliant Star magazine. Kreader and his wife also operate Studio 9 Inc.To view Aaron's work, visit http://www.studio9inc.com.

Zanjan is a rich fictional work that is based on actual events from one of the many dramatic episodes surrounding the emergence of the Bahá'i Faith in mid-nineteenth century Persia.

In this story, Navid has been trained from an early age to join the elite, but everything he learns only leads him to more questions. His search for answers will take him from the quiet village where he grew up to the greatest cities of nineteenth-century Persia, and ultimately into the middle of a war that will tear apart families, challenge the country’s most powerful leaders, and force Navid to question everything that he thought he knew.

As the imperial army clashes with scholars and peasants in the ancient streets of Zanján, Navid will participate in the birth of a new spiritual movement that has the power to transform the world.