Alexander Zorich is a pseudonim of the duet of two Russian writers: Yana Botsman and Dmitry Gordevsky. Both co-authors were born in 1973 in Kharkov (former USSR), graduated from University as a specialist in two disciplines – mathematics and philosophy. In three years Dmitry and Yana defended their Ph.D. thesis in philosophy and during many years worked as assistant professors on Philosophical Faculty of Kharkov State University. In 2004 both canceled their contracts with University for being professional writers and scenarist...

Contrary to widespread mistake co-authors are not married (and even not going to).

Writer

As Alexander Zorich Yana Botsman and Dmitry Gordevsky are authors of 15 novels, that are very popular in Russia.

Yana and Dmitry drive a quill together since 1991, when they both were first-year university students. Today Alexander Zorich is "the most venerable among young writers or maybe the youngest among venerable Russian writers" (Nasha Fantastika Magazine).

The first book by Alexander Zorich "The Sign of Destruction" has been published in 1997 and rapidly gained popularity among the worshippers of the fantasy worlds. During the next five years Alexander Zorich has more than once astonished his readers with the new writings.

A historic novel "Charles the Duke" conquered the title "The Best Russian Fiction of a 2001 Year" by "Ex-Libris" book review (Moscow).

Both Dmitry and Yana were born in 1973. This is a real twist of fate that future co-authors lived in the same apartment house, went to the same music school, to the same secondary school and even to the same riding school. No wonder that when the students of Kharkov National University Yana and Dmitry decided to write together it was easy for them to find common language.

After graduation Yana and Dmitry became post-graduate students in the Department of Philosophy of Kharkov State University. In June of 1999 Yana had defended her Ph.D. thesis on Zen-Buddhism studies. A year later Dmitry had also became a doctor of philosophy with a scientific work "Deviative Thought as a Factor of Cultural Dynamics" dedicated to Middle Age heresies.

Some years co-authors worked together as senior lecturers at the Department of Philosophy. "It is not easy to combine teaching with writing of fantasy novels. But professor Tolkien showed to the world, that it is not only possible, but even have a beneficial effect on creativity..." (from an interview to "Vremya" newspaper).

The first book by Alexander Zorich have never been published. "It was a huge, about 150 pages, epic poem about fantasy world of Sarmontazara. And we worked on it for about two years. From our present-day point of view, it is absolutely terrible. But back then we both were confident, that it is much more ingenious than all the Shakespeare's writings. Readers often ask us, when will we publish it. The only answer we can give is "Never!" (from an interview to "Zerkalo Nedeli Weekly").

Over the years Alexander Zorich has published lots of verses and short stories in small literature magazines. The first large novel by Alexander Zorich has seen the light of the day in 1997. Since then Zorich wrote 7 fantasy novels ("The Sign of Destruction", "The Seed of Wind", "The Ways of Starborned", "Love and Rule", "You Win", "The Combat Vehicle of Love", "The Light of Nighttime"), one cyberpunk novel ("The Season of Weapon"), the dilogy in genre of alternative history ("Charles the Duke", "The First Sword of Burgundy") and 4 "classic" science fiction novels ("The Consul of Commonwealth" and "The War Tomorrow" trilogy). In fact the only fiction genre Alexander Zorich has never worked in is "horror".

"The War Tomorrow" trilogy – "The War Tomorrow", "With No Mercy", "Moscow Time" – brought to Zorich the biggest success in his writers' biography and became an etalon of modern Russian space opera.

The books of Alexander Zorich are being published by the largest publishing houses of Russia, among them EKSMO and AST (Moscow), Tsentrpolygraph (Moscow), Severo-Zapad (Saint-Petersburg). Alexander Zorich actively cooperates with the leading Russian fantasy & SF magazines: "Mir Fantastiki" ("The World of SF&F), "Esli" ("If"), "Zvezdnaya Doroga" ("Star Trek"), "Nasha Fantastika" ("Our Fiction"), etc.

Some novels and stories by Alexander Zorich are translated into Ukrainian and Polish.

Scenarist

In  2004 Alexander Zorich became a scenarist and historic advisor for the PC game bestseller "Soldiers: Heroes WWII" (also known as "V tily vraga", i.e. "Outfront", in Russia).

In the next year Alexander Zorich continued his collaboration with a leading Russian game publisher 1C Company and authored huge scenario after his trilogy "The War Tomorrow" which was laid into foundation of Class A PC game with a same name.

The second part of "Soldiers" game named "Faces of War" is close to release. As it was before Zorich has written a scenario and provide historical content of this thrilled PC blockbuster dedicated World War II in Europe.

Yana Botsman. Was born in August 7 of 1973. Master's degree in applied mathematics, Ph.D. in philosophy (1999, thesis on philosophy of Buddhism). Until 2004 worked as assistant professor in Kharkov National University (Philosophical Faculty). Since September 2004 – full-time writer and scenarist. Married. Interests: equestrian sport, ballet, Sumer, Antiquity, Mesoamerica, History of WWII, astrology, painting, Timur Kibirov, Mikhail Gasparov, Dmitry Gordevsky.       Dmitry Gordevsky Was born in March 21 of 1973. Master's degree in abstract mathematics, Ph.D. in philosophy (2000, thesis on philosophy of medieval heresies). Until 2004 worked as assistant professor in Kharkov National University (Philosophical Faculty). Since September 2004 – full-time writer and scenarist. Unmarried. Interests: history, war history, Antiquity, medieval manuscripts, war equipment, equestrian sport, Russian Orthodox Church, Zoroastrianism, pre-Raphaelites, Nikolay Zabolotsky, Victor Shklovsky, Yana Botsman.