Skip to content

Small Publishing in a Big Universe Marketplace

A Marketplace for Independent Authors and Publishers

Menu
  • Podcast
    • February 2026
    • January 2026
    • 2025
      • January 2025
      • February 2025
      • October 2025
      • November 2025
      • December 2025
    • 2024
      • January 2024
      • February 2024
      • March 2024
      • April 2024
      • May 2024
      • June 2024
      • July 2024
      • September 2024
      • October 2024
      • November 2024
      • December 2024
    • 2023
      • January 2023
      • February 2023
      • March 2023
      • April 2023
      • May 2023
      • June 2023
      • July 2023
      • August 2023
      • September 2023
      • October 2023
      • November 2023
      • December 2023
    • 2022
      • January 2022
      • February 2022
      • March 2022
      • April 2022
      • May 2022
      • June 2022
      • July 2022
      • August 2022
      • September 2022
      • October 2022
      • November 2022
      • December 2022
    • 2021
      • August 2021
      • September 2021
      • October 2021
      • November 2021
      • December 2021
  • News
    • February 2026
    • January 2026
    • 2025
      • January 2025
      • February 2025
      • April 2025
      • June 2025
      • October 2025
      • November 2025
      • December 2025
    • 2024
      • January 2024
      • February 2024 (Live from Arisia)
      • February 2024 (Live from Boskone)
      • March 2024
      • April 2024
      • May 2024
      • June 2024
      • July 2024
      • September 2024
      • October 2024
      • November 2024
      • December 2024
    • 2023
      • October 2023
      • November 2023
      • December 2023
  • Events
    • 2025
      • Watch City Steampunk Festival 2025
      • Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 2025
      • Bay Area Book Festival 2025
      • BayCon 2025 / Westercon 77
      • Readercon 34 (2025)
      • WorldCon 2025
      • Loscon 51 (2025)
    • 2024
      • Arisia 2024
      • Boskone 2024
      • Watch City Steampunk Festival 2024
      • Bay Area Book Festival 2024
      • BayCon 2024
      • Readercon 33 (2024)
      • Loscon 50 (2024)
    • 2023
      • BayCon 2023
    • 2022
      • WorldCon 2022
  • Calendar
  • Book Tours
  • Partners
  • Calls for Submissions
  • About Us
    • Code of Conduct
    • Resources
    • Contact Us
Menu

Zima: Origins

Zima: Origins

A Story

Ryan Southwick

Even artificially intelligent recovering assassins need a home.

Zima's transition from a regime-ending killing machine to stand-up citizen is more difficult than she anticipated. Years of brainwashing have left her with a litany of unpredictable, lethal reactions, which force even her liberators from Z-Tech to cast her out for fear of their own safety.

Alone in San Francisco’s Mission District, Zima faces society for the first time — not as a computer inside a cyborg, whose human host managed her day-to-day interactions, but as herself. Emotions, sarcasm — even things as simple as lies — become imposing hurdles in her efforts to integrate.

But she’s nothing if not persistent. After days of searching, she meets a teenage boy and his little sister -- each with needs Zima might be able to fill.

Rosa wants a big sister. Emilio is over his head as a mule for a local gang. A blonde, indestructible assassin in search of a home may be just what they need … if Zima’s homicidal tendencies don’t kill them first.

Trade Paperback Editions
  • Amazon
  • Barnes & Noble
  • Bookshop
Digital Editions
  • Kindle
  • Kobo
  • Apple Books
  • Nook
  • Smashwords
  • Google Play
Signed Editions
  • Signed Editions (Square)
Categories: November 2022, Science Fiction, The Z-Tech Chronicles, Urban Fantasy
  • Description
  • Available Formats

Description

Zima’s transition from a regime-ending killing machine to stand-up citizen is more difficult than she anticipated. Years of brainwashing have left her with a litany of unpredictable, lethal reactions, which force even her liberators from Z-Tech to cast her out for fear of their own safety.

Alone in San Francisco’s Mission District, Zima faces society for the first time — not as a computer inside a cyborg, whose human host managed her day-to-day interactions, but as herself. Emotions, sarcasm — even things as simple as lies — become imposing hurdles in her efforts to integrate.

But she’s nothing if not persistent. After days of searching, she meets a teenage boy and his little sister — each with needs Zima might be able to fill.

Rosa wants a big sister. Emilio is over his head as a mule for a local gang. A blonde, indestructible assassin in search of a home may be just what they need … if Zima’s homicidal tendencies don’t kill them first.

Trade Paperback Editions
  • Amazon
  • Barnes & Noble
  • Bookshop
Digital Editions
  • Kindle
  • Kobo
  • Apple Books
  • Nook
  • Smashwords
  • Google Play
Signed Editions
  • Signed Editions (Square)

Available Formats

Available Editions

Digital Editions, Hardcover, Trade Paperback

Also By the Author

  • Angels Fall (front cover) v2

    Angels Fall

    Read more
  • Angels Lost

    Angels Lost

    Read more
  • Once Upon a Nightwalker (front cover)

    Once Upon a Nightwalker

    Read more
  • Angels in the Mist (front cover)

    Angels in the Mist

    Read more
  • Angels Found

    Angels Found

    Read more

You Might Also Enjoy

  • Children of the Wrong Time

    Children of the Wrong Time

    Read more
  • L'ultimo granello del mondo

    L’ultimo granello del mondo

    Read more
  • The Last Speck of the World

    The Last Speck of the World

    Read more
  • Cityfall

    Cityfall

    Read more

Join Our Mailing List

Loading

Follow Us

Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
LinkedIn

Search Our Site

Accepting Applications

We currently accepting applications for the Marketplace in the Dealers Room at Baycon 2026: Small Publishing in a Big Universe Marketplace Vendor Application.

Our Latest Episode

February 2026

Author Richard H Moon

In our interview with author Richard H Moon, we discuss his new novel, what drives him to write, and his advice for new authors.

Upcoming Events

April 2026

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
3
4
  • EVENT: Rinconada Book Fair

    EVENT: Rinconada Book Fair

    April 4, 2026  12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
    Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA

    Hear authors, editors, publishers and writing associations talk about their work and their services at this afternoon event in the Palo Alto Art Center auditorium. The event will include a moderated panel discussion or five authors and ten individual presentations. Ten tables are available for authors, editors, publishers and writing groups and participants will likely share a table depending on registration.
     
    https://paloalto.bibliocommons.com/events/68d5968262a8786065c4b119
     

    See more details

•
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
  • EVENT: Sacramento Book Festival 2026

    EVENT: Sacramento Book Festival 2026

    April 19, 2026  10:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 6151 H St, Sacramento, CA 95819, USA

    https://www.sacramentobookfestival.com/

    See more details

•
20
21
22
  • NEW EPISODES: Live from WorldCon 2025

    NEW EPISODES: Live from WorldCon 2025

    April 22, 2026

    See more details

•
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

Our Latest News

  • Visit the Small Publishing in a Big Universe Marketplace at Loscon 51 November 24, 2025
  • Visit the Small Publishing in a Big Universe Marketplace at WorldCon 2025 August 11, 2025
  • Visit the Small Publishing in a Big Universe Marketplace at Readercon 34 July 17, 2025
  • Visit the Small Publishing in a Big Universe Marketplace at BayCon 2025 / Westercon 77 June 23, 2025
  • Event Report: Bay Area Book Festival 2025 June 5, 2025

Support Independent Bookstores

Bookshop

Support Our Sponsors

Water Dragon Publishing Paper Angel Press Cupid's Arrow Publishing Graveside Press
© 2026 Small Publishing in a Big Universe Marketplace | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme