Macon Magazine

42 l MACON MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2013 You only have to follow her Facebook posts for a sampling of her remarkable wit: "You know what I'm afraid of? Those little baby ears of corn that come in a jar." –FB status on Feb. 10 "Decisions. Decisions. Oh, the decisions. I have to make a decision of decision-like making decisionry that is causing my decision-maker a decisionaryache. All of these are real words, and no decisions were harmed in the making of this status."– FB status on Feb.12 "If Weebles wobble but they don't fall down, do you even REALIZE how much we could learn from them?"– FB status on Feb.16 Such is the fertile mind of local author Colby Marshall- Zampa, 28, who has just published her first novel, "Chain of Command," a book about political intrigue. Enthusiastic and confident, Colby, a Tattnall Square Academy graduate, represents all the best traits of the Gen "Y" demographic, multitasking with ease and millennial competence. Her last 17 months have been especially momentous. Colby married graphic designer David Zampa; gave birth to the couple's first child, daughter, Olivia; edited her book draft multiple times; signed with an agent; subsequently fired said agent; sold her book to a publisher "unsolicited," and signed with another agent. She also worked as a ballroom dance instructor; choreographed a few local musical productions; completed her second book; sold her second book; and marketed "Chain of Command" like a seasoned pro (for instance, an ingenious Colby-created S.W.A.T. Team of volunteers helps promote her books online). If all that that isn't enough, she is well into completing a third novel. Another psychological thriller, "Colorblind," will launch a potential new series featuring savvy forensic psychiatrist Dr. Jenna Ramey, who has a rare condition that causes her to associate her own gut feelings with colors. With a new baby girl and several pets to cuddle and a full-scale marketing campaign to pull off, the author now writes and edits as time allows. Husband David Zampa calls all this activity: "moving at the speed of Colby." To prepare for writing "Chain of Command," she studied military material for months, concentrating on weaponry and Navy SEALS. She also got cozy with crime, socio-pathology, the Secret Service and the politics surrounding the U.S. presidency. When answers couldn't be found in textbooks or online, she sought first-hand information from those in the know – Army and Air Force officers, a linguist, a forensic psychiatrist and others. Over time, her Google research was so detailed and extensive, she wonders if the C.I.A. is compiling a file to track her. To date, reader reviews and book sales for "Chain of Command" have been impressive, creating opportunities for the author to travel and promote her work. This summer, she will attend Book Expo America 2013 (in Manhattan, and she will speak at the 2013 ThrillerFest's Authors' Debut Breakfast, also held in New York. She has already completed and sold her second McKenzie McClendon novel, "The Trade," scheduled for publication by Stairway Press/Seattle before both New York author events in July. In her words: "the (The Trade) strays from the political thriller subgenre and ventures more into the psychological thriller realm." The subject is appropriately chilling: black market baby selling. Colby said pacing her thrillers has been the biggest writing challenge, but one she has mastered with determination and practice. "I had to get out of the habit of exploring my characters' feelings about any given event and keep the action moving." Published by Stairway Press, Mount Vernon, Wash. 300 pages softcover available from the publisher at www.stairwaypress.com; www.amazon.com; or at select bookstores. $19.95 and $24.95 Watch the book trailer on YouTube and visit www. colbymarshall.com AUTHORS | by paige henson Photography by danny gilleland 'Speed of Colby' Local author making all the right moves. Colby Marshall, author of the new book "Chain of Command", at the Macon Little eatre.

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