Monte Farber Amy Zerner

Amy Zerner and Monte Farber are a married couple who have achieved significant success as writers and illustrators in the fields of astrology and spirituality. Together, they have authored over 50 books, with worldwide sales exceeding 3 million copies, and their work has been translated into 18 languages. Farber primarily handles the writing, while Zerner contributes both writing and illustrations.

Their creative partnership began after they met in 1974 and married in 1978. Initially, both pursued individual creative paths; Zerner was an artist and fashion designer, creating theatrical props and couture clothing, while Farber was a musician and worked in film and television. They eventually merged their interests in the mid-1980s, focusing on astrology, tarot, and creative expression, leading to their first book and card set, Karma Cards, in 1988. Their subsequent collaborations, such as The Enchanted Tarot, have also been highly successful. They have also ventured into multimedia, including card decks, meditation CDs, and online talk shows, and have been featured on national television selling tarot products.

Amy Zerner, born in 1951 in New Jersey, grew up in an artistic family, with a grandfather who was a landscape painter and a mother who illustrated children's books. Her early artistic endeavors included creating collages from natural materials. By her late teens, she was designing and sewing her own clothing, influenced by the counter-cultural art scene. She studied art at the Pratt Institute and later at the School of Visual Arts, where she also worked in theatrical prop design for Broadway productions and created fashion and jewelry for prestigious clients.

Monte Farber, born in Brooklyn in 1950, had a different upbringing, spending time around his father's work as an NYPD sergeant. His teenage years were marked by a strained relationship with his father, leading him to leave home at 17. A musician, he lived on the streets for a period before joining a progressive rock band in 1969 that performed anti-war concerts. He later transitioned into film and television work in the mid-1980s, holding roles as a location manager and bodyguard on several films.

The couple's shared interest in astrology and spirituality became the foundation for their publishing career, beginning in the mid-1980s. Their first major collaboration, Karma Cards, published in 1988, achieved significant sales and paved the way for future projects. Zerner's artistic contributions, particularly her illustrations for The Enchanted Tarot, which took two years to complete, were instrumental in the success of their books. Their work often integrates astrological themes, tarot symbolism, and self-help guidance, appealing to a broad audience.

Farber and Zerner have consistently published new material, including relationship guides, lifestyle books, and astrology-based cookbooks. Their partnership with Barnes & Noble in 2006 led to dedicated shelf space for their books in all their stores. They have also been pioneers in marketing esoteric products, being among the first to sell tarot card items on national television. Their ventures extend to digital platforms, including tarot reading software and a role as psychic contributors to a financial website. They also hosted an online talk show called Ask the Oracles.

Amy Zerner's artistic development includes a distinctive style of collage-based paintings on fabric, for which she received a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship in 1986. This fellowship enabled her to create larger, more complex works, including pieces for public display. Her illustrations for The Enchanted Tarot were later transformed into full-scale tapestries, showcasing her versatility. Zerner has exhibited her art in numerous solo and group shows at various institutions and museums.

Zerner's fashion design background, stemming from her youth and early work in theatrical design, evolved into creating unique art coats. These garments, often inspired by Tibetan panel coats, are elaborately decorated with silks, brocades, and metaphysical imagery. Her work gained recognition from Bergdorf Goodman, leading to commissions for custom couture pieces for numerous celebrities. She has also designed jewelry for Bergdorf Goodman, worn by notable figures.