The Zen Time Traveler
A Pilgrim's Journey Through the Koans
by Stephen Billias
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Pub Date Jun 21 2026 | Archive Date Oct 15 2026
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Description
Stephen Maine is a middle-aged project manager navigating the collapse of his marriage and the quiet despair of modern burnout. But his weekly Zen meditation class in a Massachusetts church basement offers an unexpected escape. By reciting a mysterious haiku, Stephen finds his consciousness hurtled across the space-time continuum, landing squarely in the body of Wùkōng, a Japanese monk traveling through Song Dynasty China in the year 1225.
In this vibrant, dangerous ancient world, Zen koans are not abstract intellectual riddles—they are visceral, life-or-death encounters with legendary Chan masters. As Stephen navigates this dual existence, he finds himself increasingly drawn to the past, captivated by a fierce, magical sword maker named Yabaku, and the thrilling asceticism of his host’s spiritual quest.
Yet, the fabric of history is delicate. Stephen belatedly realizes that his host, Wùkōng, is none other than Dogen, the revered founder of Japanese Soto Zen. Caught between a fantastical past and his disintegrating reality in 2024, Stephen faces a profound choice. To save the future of a global spiritual tradition, he must confront his own attachments, relinquish his escapist fantasies, and do the hardest thing of all: return to his own flawed life.
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Reader,
We are thrilled to share The Zen Time Traveler with you. This project has been a profound labor of love for our studio, combining rigorous developmental editing with Stephen Billias's brilliant, metaphysical prose. We believe it offers a truly unique journey for readers seeking cerebral and philosophical science fiction.
Review Requests: If you enjoy the book, we enthusiastically encourage you to cross-post your review to Goodreads immediately. However, to help us build maximum launch momentum, we kindly ask that you hold your reviews on retail sites (Amazon, Barnes & Noble) until our official publication day on June 21, 2026.
Thank you for reading, and for supporting independent literature.
Advance Praise
“In 'The Zen Time Traveler,' Stephen Billias offers up a wild joyride through the temples of ancient China. This read is a romp that honors the great Zen masters while exploring the age-old universal ache of clinging, in this case to two different worlds. Forget about quiet sitting; this is a whirlwind tour of the 13th century masters, filled with classical koans, spiritual comedy, and fun.” —Chōbun Nenzen, Abiding Teacher, Jikoji Zen Center
“Definitely worth reading and rereading! 'The Zen Time Traveler' tells an engrossing story that explores multiple dimensions of time, space, and personal identity, while at the same time providing a unique opportunity for beginners, and experienced practitioners as well, to contemplate Zen koans and their implications.” —Barbara McHugh, Teacher of Buddhism and meditation & author of the award-winning novel Bride of the Buddha
“Stephen Billias has combined the hard-won wisdom of a student of Zen with the imagination of the free-wheeling storyteller. In a wise and witty tale that visits many of the touchstones of the Zen tradition, Billias hustles his narrator through space and time, imparting numerous delicious insights along with way. Western Zen has found a lively contemporary voice in 'The Zen Time Traveler.'” —Pierce Butler, author of A Child of the Sun and student of Zen
Marketing Plan
Author Tour: Stephen Billias will embark on a West Coast regional book tour coinciding with the launch, running from June 19 through July 12, featuring independent bookstore signings and appearances.
Advance Review Campaign: A comprehensive pre-publication review strategy is underway, anchored by a Publishers Weekly (PW Select) professional review to drive trade interest.
Digital & Media Outreach: Targeted pitching to literary magazines, cerebral sci-fi blogs, and niche reviewers specializing in metaphysical and time-travel narratives.
Reader Engagement: A coordinated interactive Reader Q&A with the author will accompany the June 21 publication to drive launch-week momentum and community discussion.
Library & Trade Marketing: Featured digital galley distribution targeting independent booksellers and collection development librarians for summer stock consideration.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781788946896 |
| PRICE | $29.90 (USD) |
| PAGES | 236 |
Links
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