Door of the Day: The door to the dead

 

“Stop! Here is the Empire of the Dead”—that’s what the warning above this doorway says! It leads to the catacombs of Paris, where we spent the first week of our honeymoon back in 2013—I mean we spent the first week in Paris (not just in the catacombs!).

These tunnels make for an overwhelming and creepy visit–the bones seem to go on forever, disappearing into the gloom.

I’m posting my door inspirations from around the world to celebrate the release of The Guardians of Zoone on February 25!

There are catacombs beneath Zoone station, which our characters visit in The Guardians of Zoone. This is where all the former stewards of the nexus are laid to rest—well, most of them. Legend has it that Zephyrus Zoone wandered into the Infinite Wood when it was his time, and that he might yet wander amid those solemn trees.

You can find order links for the books of Zoone HERE.

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Door of the day: The pondering knocker

Here is a grinning door knocker from the Yu Garden in Shanghai. At least, I think he’s grinning. Perhaps it’s better to say that his expression is indecipherable—because what is he pondering? I just can’t tell . . .

I’m posting my door inspirations from around the world to celebrate the release of The Guardians of Zoone on February 25! Of course, the door knockers at the nexus of Zoone talk . . . so the one I’m posting today would fit right in!

You can find order links for the books of Zoone HERE.

Door of the Day: Get a handle on the situation!

It’s I Read Canadian day so, for Door of the Day, I’m posting this ornate handle from Old town Québec—too gorgeous to turn, if you ask me! I have a few door knockers decorating my studio space, but when I see beautiful door handles this, I wonder if I should start collecting them, too!

I’m posting my door inspirations from around the world to celebrate the release of The Guardians of Zoone on February 25!

In Zoone, of course, the handles match the world that is hidden beyond each doorway. You should pay attention to those handles—they might give you a clue about whether or not you should actually go through with your journey!

You can find order links for the books of Zoone HERE.

Door of the Day: Tug the trunk!

This elephant doorknocker greeted me as I wandered the streets of Exeter, England, a few years back. Waggle his trunk—I’m sure he will trumpet!

I’m posting my door inspirations from around the world to celebrate the release of The Guardians of Zoone on February 25! 🚪

Many of the door knockers in the Zoone multiverse interact with travelers—sometimes they greet them officiously, but at other times they just harass them with snide comments.

You can find order links for the books of Zoone HERE.

Door of the Day: A cosmic map?

I found this beautiful door while wandering the French Quarter of Hanoi, Vietnam.

You can just glimpse what is beyond . . .

I’m posting my door inspirations from around the world to celebrate the release of The Guardians of Zoone on February 25!

The doors in the Zoone nexus usually don’t offer any glimmer of the realms that lie beyond them. The only way to see them is to have your ticket-key in hand, so that you can venture through the portal and into the adventure beyond.

Something else strikes me about this door! As I gaze upon it once again, the pattern of swirls reminds me of the layout of the Zoone nexus, which consists of the station house in the middle with four round platforms in the four cardinal directions. The doors radiate outward in concentric circles, into the Infinite Wood.

You can find order links for the books of Zoone HERE.

Door of the Day: In Golden Gai

Here is an imperious door knocker, glaring from a metal door in the Golden Gai district of Tokyo. We stayed in the city for two months in 2018 while we were adopting our son and had a fun time exploring the various parts of the city.

So many of the doors that intrigue me are made of wood, with old peeling paint and rusty keyholes encrusted with spiderwebs—this one is very different!

I’m posting my door inspirations from around the world to celebrate the release of The Guardians of Zoone on February 25!

You can find order links for the books of Zoone HERE.

 

Door of the Day: The portal to magic, Harry-Potter style

This is an old and rusted handle from Alnwick Castle in England. There are many amazing doors here, including some that lead to dungeon cells.

Alnwick Castle is famous for being the filming location for Hogwarts broom-flying scenes in the Harry Potter movies. Quidditch matches are played here and you can also take broom-flying lesson—which we did, of course (we were the only adults in our group). I passed with flying colors—in the sense that colors flew past me at an alarming speed.

My instructor, Professor Bottomley, explained afterward that I should stick to writing about brooms instead of trying to ride them.

I’m posting my door inspirations from around the world to celebrate the release of The Guardians of Zoone on February 25! 🚪🗝️

Despite Professor Bottomley’s advice to writing about brooms, there is no broom flying in Zoone—there are easier ways to get around . . . like on the back of skyger! (Though, perhaps my old flying instructor would be pleased to know that I’m currently working on a book about magical brooms.)

You can find order links for the books of Zoone HERE.

Door of the Day: The door with winged handles

Here are some angels for you on this day, found on the handles of this door in Seoul. This door led to my heart’s desire—COFFEE! You’ve probably read a book where the author described the door flying open . . . well, this one may literally do so with these two winged souls minding the entrance!

By the way, in Korea, coffee is an evening thing, NOT a morning thing, as is the case in North America. When I go to the coffee shop first thing in the morning in Seoul, I usually have the entire place to myself!

I’m posting my door inspirations from around the world to celebrate the release of The Guardians of Zoone on February 25!

There are many types of coffee in the Zoone multiverse, but one of the most beloved hot beverages is Elandorian coffee, prized for its rich and invigorating flavors.

You can find order links for the books of Zoone HERE.

Door of the Day: The red door

Here’s a close-up of a vibrant red door in Garosu-gil, a neighborhood in Seoul, Korea, featuring ginkgo trees, stylish restaurants, and boutique shops. This is a door to one of those shops! The door is lovely, but I was as equally enamored with the wall!

I’m posting my door inspirations from around the world to celebrate the release of The Guardians of Zoone on February 25!

Of course, portals in the Zoone nexus do NOT have walls. They are free-standing, surrounding Zoone Station on four different platforms of concentric circles.

You can find order links for the books of Zoone HERE.

Door of the Day: Green Dragons!

This is a door I passed by while strolling Chipping-Campden, England, a few years back. I did not dare knock—Green Dragons! A helpful warning, if you ask me.

I’m posting my door inspirations from around the world to celebrate the release of The Guardians of Zoone on February 25!

You can find order links for the books of Zoone HERE.