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Dead Star Press is an independent publisher of speculative fiction, sci-fi, social commentary, and anything weird enough to abduct the mind.





Upcoming Events

4
September2026
First Friday Melrose MarketWe always have a blast at Melrose First Friday, so we’re back in September. Here’s what the event runner has to say about Melrose First Friday: Join us on Friday, August 7th for First Friday Melrose Market! Shop in the open air of the Lyceum Park, located in the heart of the Melrose District. Local Vendors, Food Trucks, and more!
Melrose is rife with energy during the monthly First Friday when Melrose hosts the First Friday Melrose Market. The Melrose Market serves as a platform for artists to showcase and sell their works, while providing an opportunity for attendees to enjoy art, drag, music, food, and more in a safe, walkable environment. This curated event features locally made items from Arizona artists, including handmade crafts, fine art and vintage items, as well as food vendors, pop-up galleries, drag performances and other arts-related initiatives. With up to 25+ vendors monthly, the First Friday Melrose Market provides a special spotlight to celebrate local arts and culture.
7 pm – 10 pm Lyceum Park (Thunderbird Lounge)
4330 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013
5
September2026
The Market on MillerIf you see the pink-and-black bookmobile, you’re in the right place for Weird.
6 pm – 9 pm4140 N. Miller Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
12
September2026
AZ Derby Dames Season OpenerWe’re back for another season of AZ Derby Dames Roller Derby!!! We’ll be in the back lot with the food trucks for all regular-season matches and the playoffs. We’re stoked to be a proud sponsor for a second year in a row.
4:30 pm – 9 pmHall of Dames
 2517 W McDowell Rd, Ste 118
Phoenix, AZ 85009 
26
September2026
The Market on MillerWe’re back in Scottsdale. Stop by and get some books.
6 pm – 9 pm4140 N. Miller Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
3
October2026
AZ Derby Dames Roller DerbyValkyrie’s v Brides. We’ll be in the back lot with the food trucks for all regular-season matches and the playoffs.
4:30 pm – 9 pmHall of Dames
 2517 W McDowell Rd, Ste 118
Phoenix, AZ 85009 
9
October2026
Sound Bites Music and Food FestivalBLUES TRAVELER, SPIN DOCTORS, & WYVES!!! We’re so there. We used the unrenovated bookmobile for this festival last year, so we’re thrilled to come back with the fully realized version this year, plus we get to see Blues Traveler! What more could anyone ask for? Get tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sound-bites-music-food-festival-2026-tickets-1990912508908?aff=oddtdtcreator
4:30 pm – 10 pmGilbert Regional Park
3005 E. Queen Creek Road
(Higley and Queen Creek Roads)
23
October2026
ZUNI HILLS ELEMENTARY FALL FESTIVALFall Halloween Festival with Trick-or-Treating, awesome food trucks, and amazing vendors… Yes, Please! We’re so there. Come see us, and bring the kids in their Halloween outfits. They’ll get to wear it more than once this year, so that’s cool, and we’ll bring our Children’s book section for you, along with all of our other books.
5:30 pm – 8 pm10851 W Williams Rd, Sun City, AZ 85373
7
November2026
Uptown Farm & Artisan MarketWe’ve never been to Casa Grande before. Let’s hope they need some cool books.
10 am – 2 pm1116 E. Florence Blvd
Casa Grande, AZ 85122
13
November2026
Friday the 13th at Lost Dutchman TattooWhere else would you hang out on Friday the 13th. Lost Dutchman has awesome events every Friday the 13th, and they invited us to this one, so we’re bringing the bookmobile to this incredible tattoo shop on the weirdest day of the year.
11 am – 9 pm4121 N. 19th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85015
14
November2026
AZ Derby Dames Roller DerbyBombshells v Valkyries. We’ll be in the back lot with the food trucks for all regular-season matches and the playoffs.
4:30 pm – 9 pmHall of Dames
 2517 W McDowell Rd, Ste 118
Phoenix, AZ 85009 
21
November2026
WayneFestWe’re coming back to Wayne Fest with the bookmobile! Wayne Fest is such a great event. There are fantastic bands and food trucks and all of the lovely humans from the historic Coronado Neighborhood. We’re stoked for this one.
5 pm – 9 pmCoronado Park
1717 N 12th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006
5
December2026
4 Peaks Mittwinternachtmarkt Four Peaks Brewing hosts a fantastic market every winter at the Wilson Tasting Room location. Great beer, food trucks, and vendors. Get some X-Mas shopping done and have a few drinks while you’re doing it.
3 pm – 9 pmFour Peaks
Wilson Tasting Room
2401 S Wilson St, Tempe, AZ 85282
12
December2026
15th Annual Phoenix Festival of the ArtsThe Phoenix Festival of the Arts is back—and we’re celebrating its Quinceañera–a celebration of growth, tradition, and new beginnings—this milestone Festival honors 15 years of bringing art, culture, creativity, and community together in downtown Phoenix. This year marks an exciting new chapter as the Festival transitions to a reimagined one-day experience at the Phoenix Center for the Arts Downtown Campus.
Indoor & outdoor artist marketplace spaces that hug our campus
Live performances in the newly renovated Third Street Theater
Interactive workshops in our Visual Arts classrooms
Bar service and gathering space in The Courtyard
p(ART)icipate: The Quince Collection—a live painting experience connecting local artists and businesses through commissioned artwork created during the Festival
Family Zone presented by Medieval Times
Whether you’re shopping local, creating art, enjoying a performance, or spending the day with family and friends, there’s something for everyone at this special anniversary celebration.
10 am – 9 pmPhoenix Center for the Arts Downtown Campus
1202 N 3rd St
Phoenix, AZ 85004
9
January2027
AZ Derby Dames Roller DerbyBeauties v Valkyries and Minors Mashup. We’ll be in the back lot with the food trucks for all regular-season matches and the playoffs.
4:30 pm – 9 pmHall of Dames
 2517 W McDowell Rd, Ste 118
Phoenix, AZ 85009 
15-17
January2027
2027 Arizona Balloon ClassicThis is one of the coolest annual events in the area. Witness the spectacle of the areas best Hot Air Balloons, and even take one for a ride! Live music, BMX exhibitions, Street Food Fest, and much more, including the Dead Star Press Bookmobile. We are super pumped for this one!
Fri -4 pm – 9 pm
Sat -7 am – 9 9 pm
Sun – 7 am – 9 pm
Wild Horse Pass Festival Grounds – 19593 S 48th St. Chandler, Az 85226
6
February2027
AZ Derby Dames Roller DerbyBombshells V Brides. We’ll be in the back lot with the food trucks for all regular-season matches and the playoffs.
4:30 pm – 9 pmHall of Dames
 2517 W McDowell Rd, Ste 118
Phoenix, AZ 85009 
13
February2027
Fairytale Finds Market: Sweethearts NiteHundred Acre Events puts on some of the best markets near Phoenix. This one will be no exception. Incredible Food Trucks, Vendors, and a highly stylized Disney theme for Sweethearts right around Valentine’s Day. Don’t miss it.
5 pm – 10 pmGoodyear Ballpark (Lot 4), 1933 S Ballpark Way, Goodyear, AZ.
27
February2027
AZ Derby Dames Roller DerbyValkyries v Draggers. We’ll be in the back lot with the food trucks for all regular-season matches and the playoffs.
4:30 pm – 9 pmHall of Dames
 2517 W McDowell Rd, Ste 118
Phoenix, AZ 85009 
20
March2027
AZ Derby Dames Roller DerbyBeauties v Brides. We’ll be in the back lot with the food trucks for all regular-season matches and the playoffs.
4:30 pm – 9 pmHall of Dames
 2517 W McDowell Rd, Ste 118
Phoenix, AZ 85009 
10
April2027
AZ Derby Dames Roller DerbyDraggers v Bombshells. We’ll be in the back lot with the food trucks for all regular-season matches and the playoffs.
4:30 pm – 9 pmHall of Dames
 2517 W McDowell Rd, Ste 118
Phoenix, AZ 85009 
1
May2027
AZ Derby Dames Roller Derby PlayoffsPlayoffs. We’ll be in the back lot with the food trucks for all regular-season matches and the playoffs.
4:30 pm – 9 pmHall of Dames
 2517 W McDowell Rd, Ste 118
Phoenix, AZ 85009 
22
May2027
AZ Derby Dames Roller Derby ChampionshipsChampionships. We’ll be in the back lot with the food trucks for all regular-season matches and the playoffs.
4:30 pm – 9 pmHall of Dames
 2517 W McDowell Rd, Ste 118
Phoenix, AZ 85009 

Available Now

Thought and Other Absurdities: Volume 2 is a collection of modern witticisms, thought provocations, and other absurdities from the mind of Joseph D. Newcomer, author of Darkest Day, Diminishing Return, and & El Camino Blue, founder and owner of Dead Star Press, and creator of The Unmotivational Life Coach.

These brief essays are a continuation of the social commentary and compassion-invoking prose of the first installment of Thought and Other Absurdities. It picks up right where Volume 1 left off, takes you through the past four years of Thought and Other Absurdities blog posts, and ends with a year’s worth of all-new, previously unpublished pieces. This new collection is, once again, designed to offer the reader daily vignettes of societal considerations to engage the mind well beyond the few moments it takes to read each thought-altering and painfully relatable entry.


HELP US GET MORE WEIRD OUT INTO THE WORLD

Send us your weird stories. As an independent publisher, we want to hear from you.



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Phoenix Magazine’s Best of the Valley Best Author 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

We’re also excited to announce, for the 4th year in a row, that Joseph D. Newcomer, founder and CEO of Dead Star Press, has been voted Phoenix Magazine’s Best of the Valley Best Author!

Thank you all for voting.


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DeadStarPress@gmail.com