The Ink Cloud

A Digital Publisher Showcasing the Collected Works of A. A. Zaruba

Welcome to The Ink Cloud, the definitive digital gallery presenting the evolving works of A.A. Zaruba. This meticulously crafted space is the primary showcase for my ongoing literary and lyrical explorations, designed to share the depth of creation without limits. Here, every narrative finds its unique voice, and every beat resonates with purpose.Featured Literary WorksDreamscapes and Curiosities: A Poetic Modern MarvelExperience the evocative power of words in "Dreamscapes and Curiosities," a 26-poem chapbook that some are calling a literary modern marvel. Each poem is a carefully constructed journey into the subconscious, weaving together vivid imagery and profound introspection. This collection offers a unique lens into the human condition, inviting readers to linger in its resonant depths.

Within these pages, you will discover “Dreamscapes
and Curiosities,” a chapbook presented in two distinct
yet interconnected movements. The first section offers
thirteen independent poems, each a singular
exploration into the landscapes of dreams, the
enigmas of existence, and the subtle wonders that
often lie unseen. These verses invite you on brief
journeys into realms both familiar and strange, where
curiosity is the compass and the dreamscape the
destination.


From the visionary mind of A. A. Zaruba, a groundbreaking new steampunk noir series emerges – 'Shadow City Justice: A Zephyr Vance Novel' – introducing the enigmatic Repairman Z, a reluctant hero in a city where gears grind justice and secrets lurk in every steam-powered shadow, poised to redefine the genre this Fall 2025."Welcome to the Shadow City, a labyrinth of grimy alleyways and towering electro-mag rail lines, where the sun never shines and justice is a rusty cog in a broken machine. Here, in the heart of perpetual darkness, lives Zephyr Vance, known only as Repairman Z. His newspaper ad reads, 'Got a Problem? Need a Fix? Call Stones and Sticks Repair.' A ghost from a past he desperately tries to forget, Z inherited this 'repair' business from a departed friend, a price he pays for a safe haven in a city that wants him dead. He prefers to remain in the shadows, ever watchful, ever prepared.But when the city's organized crime syndicates begin to prey on the vulnerable, Z finds his skills in high demand. A desperate plea from a former client pulls Z into a dangerous game of extortion and stolen tech. A ruthless gang, "The Ironclad Syndicate," is terrorizing the lower levels of the city, using stolen automatons and modified rail tech to enforce their brutal rule. As Z delves into the city's underbelly, he uncovers a network of corruption that reaches far beyond the gang's operations.Haunted by his past as the Clockwork Syndicate's enforcer, Z must choose between the quiet life he craves and the justice he can't ignore. With the help of a tech-savvy informant and a tavern owner with a hidden arsenal, Z navigates the treacherous streets, where every gear turns with deceit and every shadow hides a deadly secret.In a city where justice is a rare commodity, Repairman Z is the only one who can fix the broken system. But can he repair his own shattered soul in the process?'Shadow City Justice: A Zephyr Vance Novel' is a gritty, steampunk noir thriller that will plunge you into a world of intrigue, action, and the relentless pursuit of justice in a city where the gears of fate grind without mercy."
Coming Soon!


A Battle for the Soul Begins: "Terrormind" Unleashes a New Era of Horror This Halloween 2025

Prepare to question the very fabric of reality as A.A. Zaruba's "Terrormind" arrives, a groundbreaking horror experience that will redefine the genre and leave readers haunted long after the final page. This Halloween 2025, witness the dawn of a new era, where the battle between light and darkness is fought not for the body, but for the soul itself.Synopsis:When Leslie and Ron unwittingly bring an old book into their home, they unleash a terror that transcends the boundaries of the page. "Terrormind" draws them into a chilling parallel narrative, a mirror image of their own desires twisted into a macabre reflection. As Leslie falls under the book's insidious influence, Ron finds himself facing a horror he cannot comprehend, a wife transformed into a vessel for an ancient evil.Their only hope lies in the hands of a young exorcist, Sister Emilia, the youngest in a long line of demon hunters, yet on her first official case. She is their Hail Mary, their last chance to escape the encroaching darkness that seeks to claim their souls.But "Terrormind" is more than a story; it's a living entity. The core theme explores the insidious power of stories themselves, blurring the line between reader and victim. As the possessed Leslie whispers with the shadows, arguing over the fate of those who dare to read Terrormind, the reader is drawn into a terrifying vortex, forced to confront the question: Are you reading the story, or is the story reading you?A Descent into Madness:Zaruba's masterful prose weaves a tapestry of dread, where the whispers of the damned become a chorus in your mind. The following excerpt offers a glimpse into the chilling world of "Terrormind":"Where do shadows go to play,When darkness steals the light of day?They dance with Ron, they sing with Les,In the house where terror makes its nest.Down, down, down, they'll softly creep,While you, dear reader, fall asleep.Forever lost, in endless night,Within the pages of their fright.Terrormind's tale, a whispered curse,A living nightmare, ever worse."This is the poem that Leslie reads, her voice catching on the final lines, the true horror of what she's reading taking hold, a horror that instantly attaches itself to her soul.About A.A. Zaruba:A.A. Zaruba is a visionary storyteller who shatters the boundaries of horror, crafting narratives that are as thought-provoking as they are terrifying. With "Terrormind," Zaruba invites readers to confront their deepest fears and question the very nature of reality itself."Terrormind" will be available this Halloween 2025.


Novum Organum: 21st Century - Science in the Age of Anomalies

"Novum Organum 21st Century reads as a new instrument for a digital age."In a world awash with information, where the echoes of ancient biases reverberate through the digital landscape, how does one discern truth from illusion? How does one navigate the labyrinth of data and reclaim the dominion of reason?"Novum Organum 21st Century" reimagines Francis Bacon's revolutionary "New Instrument" for our modern age, a time where the "idols" of the mind have mutated into insidious "anomalies," distortions amplified by technology.This is not merely a philosophical treatise, but a call to arms, a guide for intellectual liberation. It unveils the hidden dangers of our digital tools, the subtle biases that shape perception, and the urgent need for a new approach to knowledge."The idols are nothing else than received dogmas and methods of demonstration," Bacon warned, "which have taken possession of the human mind from the wrong heads of philosophy, and led men astray." This groundbreaking work confronts these ancient "idols" reborn as modern "anomalies," from algorithmic bias to the allure of digital certainty......."Only by acknowledging and confronting these inherent biases, these anomalies born of idols, can one hope to attain a more accurate understanding of the world. The pursuit of truth is not a solitary ascent, but a collective endeavor, a continuous refinement of understanding through rigorous experimentation, open communication, and the fearless questioning of even deeply held assumptions."