“The Air That We Breathe - Book One: Leicester,” author Simon Zayas' maiden novel will be featured at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026, where copies of the novel will be distributed to visitors at The Maple Staple and Inks & Bindings' exhibition at Hall 5.1, Stand D86. The international event takes place October 7 to 11 at Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Set in a nineteenth-century abbey, the novel follows Simon, a young man whose lifelong dream is to become a Roman Catholic priest. At 17, he leaves home to enter a monastery in the mountains of Pennsylvania, where he devotes himself to religious studies and prepares for the priesthood.
His experience, however, brings unexpected challenges. As Simon's understanding of himself changes, he struggles with a sexual awakening that unsettles the future he had imagined. Within the cloister, he encounters holy men, mischievous souls, colorful personalities, and darker characters, while falling in love in a world shaped by faith, discipline, and conflicting desires.
The story takes another turn when a powerful visitor invites Simon to Rome, presenting an opportunity that carries an undisclosed price.
The novel draws particular resonance from Zayas' own background. Born in Tampa, Florida, with ancestry rooted in northern Spain, Zayas entered a Pennsylvania monastery at 17 and later earned a Master of Divinity degree in Toronto. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1984.
His first priestly assignment took him to Rome, where he spent 12 years in administration and traveled extensively, encountering different cultures, languages, and political environments. He later served in New York City, Texas, and Mexico City before retiring.
“The Air That We Breathe - Book One: Leicester” is Zayas' first novel and the opening book of a planned trilogy. Frankfurt visitors can find the title at Stand D86 and receive a copy while supplies last.
The Maple Staple's complete Frankfurt 2026 showcase is available through its Frankfurt Connect profile and its dedicated event page. The book is also available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other leading book retailers worldwide.
About Inks & Bindings:
Launching brilliant stars into the spotlight! Inks & Bindings is set to broaden horizons, revamp to perfection, and produce a masterpiece through the power of books.
Inks and Bindings is a premier self-publishing company located at the heart of the Golden State. Aptly based where fashion, entertainment, and culture thrive, the team goes all out in bringing independent authors into the sweet California spotlight.
About The Maple Staple:
For bookworms, by passionate writers.
At The Maple Staple, books come alive beyond mere pages. It's more than a bookstore—it's a community hub for book enthusiasts and budding authors. Celebrating diversity, they curate books from up-and-coming independent writers, and offer a platform to underrepresented voices. With captivating events and book clubs in the heart of Toronto, they foster a vibrant literary community, igniting inspiration and transformation through the enchanting power of words.
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