August 9, 2025

OIN Publishing recently hosted an intimate author talk in Taos, New Mexico, featuring R. J. Striegel and his novel Land Shadows. The gathering took place at the home of Don and Vicki Zillioux, a site with deep cultural resonance as it was once the home and studio of celebrated artist R. C. Gorman. The setting provided a striking backdrop for conversations that tied history, literature, and contemporary challenges together in a way that felt both grounded and expansive.

Attendees reflected on the book’s themes while also engaging in wide-ranging discussions about the long domino effects of colonialism. From the rise and fall of the Roman Empire to the extractive logic of modern artificial intelligence data centers, participants traced how structures of power, exploitation, and resistance reverberate across time. The dialogue underscored how Striegel’s work resonates not only as historical fiction but also as a lens for examining the world we inhabit today.

The event came together through the collaboration of many hands. Jaz Striegel captured the evening through photography, preserving the conversations and setting in vivid detail. Marianne Goodland, president of the Denver Press Club, generously sponsored the wine, adding conviviality to the gathering. Michael Gorman managed logistics on the ground in Taos, ensuring the evening flowed seamlessly. Together, these contributions created a thoughtful and memorable celebration of Land Shadows and the conversations it inspires.