Simon Rose's Blog, page 2

The Doomsday Mask

The Doomsday Mask

The legendary crystal ceremonial mask of Kulkaan, high priest of Atlantis, was believed to have been endowed with incredible powers. In the ancient civilization’s destruction, the mask was thought to have been shattered and irretrievably lost, eventually being forgotten. Long considered to be a mere myth, the mask’s crystal fragments have now been found and the mask of Kulkaan reassembled, with deadly consequences for all mankind. In a desperate race against time, Josh and Erica must prevent the mask from falling intact into the hands of the shadowy Crystalline Order to save the world from catastrophe.

“Rose takes the reader on a fast-paced adventure through time and legend.  Among other issues, the story confronts the battle of good versus evil and exposes the danger of a hunger for power that threatens to consume everything in its path.”

“Danger lurks everywhere as does the course of history and even prehistory. Juvenile readers from 10-14 will be spellbound by The Doomsday Mask, and they will learn a bit of interesting world history and paleontology along the way. Although The Doomsday Mask may be considered to be science fiction fantasy/adventure, it is solidly grounded in facts of known prehistorical events and speculates from these logically.”

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Lake Bonavista Christmas Craft Fair

Looking for the perfect gift?

This weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm I’ll be signing copies of all my books at the Lake Bonavista Christmas Craft Fair. The event is being held at Lake Bonavista Community Association, 1401 Acadia Dr SE in Calgary.

Learn all about my many books, including the new The Order of Excalibur novels, as well as about my coaching and editing services for writers and authors.

Hope to see you there.

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The Children’s Writer’s Guide 2

The Children’s Writer’s Guide 2 is ideal for writers not just of books for children and young adults, but also features information that’s applicable to writers in all genres. The first installment of The Children’s Writer’s Guide has a wealth of tips and advice, including suggestions regarding how to get started as a writer, dealing with writer’s block, conducting research, choosing appropriate names for your characters, the editing and revision process, as well as the world of marketing and promotion.

This second book further explores the writing process, examining topics such as developing memorable characters, creating effective dialogue, the importance of book covers, the value of blogging, age levels and appropriate content for books for children and young adults, networking, and the process of submitting your work to publishing houses.

In combination with The Children’s Writer’s Guide, this second book provides invaluable advice and support for both established and aspiring authors of books for children and young adults.

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The Children’s Writer’s Guide

The Children’s Writer’s Guide examines how you can get started as a writer, create time and space to pursue your craft and deal with lack of motivation and writers block. Topics covered include where ideas come from and how writers turn them into stories, choosing names for characters that are appropriate to the story, the importance of historical research if your novel is set in a different era, writing science fiction and fantasy, and the use of magic in stories for children.

The guide examines the role of editing and revision and how to deal with what is often the inevitable process of rejection, at least until good fortune comes your way. I also recount some of my experiences with marketing and promotion, such as book launches and in-store signings, websites, blogs, and social media, and discusses presentations, workshops and author-in-residence programs at schools and libraries.

You can also learn more about writing for children and young adults in The Children’s Writer’s Guide 2.

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“Congratulations on a great read for kids.”

The Alchemist’s Portrait

A school trip to the art gallery at the city museum leads Matthew into an eerie meeting with Peter Glimmer, imprisoned inside his own portrait by his villainous uncle in 1666. Entrusted by Peter with recovering the one object that can save the world, Matthew is sent hurtling over 300 years into the past. Encountering magic, mayhem and murder, Matthew also has to contend with Peter’s uncle, the ruthless and seemingly immortal Nicolaas van der Leyden, at every turn, in a desperate race through time to save the future.

“Your book was great! It was one of those books where I felt as if I were in it. I loved this book and it is now one of my all-time favourites!”

“I loved it!!! It’s one of my favourite books of all time!”

“I absolutely loved your book, it was amazing.”

“Your book was awesome.”

“The book is so good I can’t STOP READING!”

Learn more about The Alchemist’s Portrait and read more reviews here on my website.

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Canyon Meadows Christmas Craft Market

Looking for the perfect gift?

This Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm I’ll be signing copies of all my books at Canyon Meadows Christmas Craft Market. The market is being held at the Canyon Meadows Community Centre at Lloyd Hand Hall, 844-848 Cantabrian Drive SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2W 6G4.

Learn all about my many novels, including the new The Order of Excalibur novels, as well as about my coaching and editing services for writers and authors.

Hope to see you there.

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An Untimely Death

An Untimely Death is an exciting science fiction and fantasy adventure for young adults.When Peter’s great-grandfather, Ted, passes away, Peter is looking through his belongings in the attic. Peter knows about Ted’s experiences with the Canadian Army in World War II and absentmindedly flips a coin. To his astonishment, Peter finds himself in the heat of battle in 1944, where he embarks on a highly dangerous mission to ensure that history is placed back on track.Learn more at https://simon-rose.com/books/an-untimely-death/

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Behind the Scenes with a Full-Time Writer

Behind the Scenes with a Full-Time Writer

Check out my latest chat with my fellow writer, Suzy Vadori, on the Show, Don’t Tell Writing podcast.

In the second part of the podcast, entitled Behind the Scenes with a Full-Time Writer, we chat about how to sustain a career in writing, and what that really looks like.

Check out the link to the podcast here.

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The Benefits of a Writing Coach

A professional writing coach is someone with whom you can consult, ask questions and receive constructive feedback. They act as a guide as you build your career as a professional writer. A coach can help you conquer a stumbling block, regain momentum or make a start on a new project.

My program helps you progress as a writer. You decide what you want to work on during a personalized, one on one relationship. I can be your coach and mentor for just one month or we can establish a month-to-month arrangement, depending on your schedule and expectations.

I’m very flexible regarding your own unique requirements in areas where you feel that you need the most help, but examples of topics that can be covered include character development, dialogue and format, editing and revision, story structure and plot, pacing your story, realistic settings, dramatic beginnings,  and cliffhanger endings. We can also examine submitting work, the publishing world,  and marketing and promotion.

You can also learn more about the writing and publishing process, including where ideas come from and how writers turn them into stories, choosing names for characters, the importance of historical research if your novel is set in a different era, the role of editing and revision, marketing and promotion, and more, in The Children’s Writer’s Guide, The Working Writer’s Guide, The Children’s Writer’s Guide 2, and School & Library Visits for Authors & Illustrators.

The writing of time travel stories and historical fiction is covered in The Time Traveler’s Guide, and fantasy and magic in Exploring the Fantasy Realm. The study guides for my novels are featured in Where do Ideas Come From?

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“An imaginary friend, a mystery, and time travel? How could I resist?”

“An imaginary friend, a mystery, and time travel? How could I resist?”

“Flashback is a fascinating Young Adult book that pushes the boundaries of imagination: the Grail for every science fiction and fantasy reader.”

“Right from the very first sentence I was engaged, and I could not wait to find out what happened next. The book was thrilling and it kept me on the edge of my seat.”

“Flashback is an action-packed adventure perfect for middle grade readers.  Young readers will enjoy the plot-driven story rife with the supernatural, bad guys, evil experimentation, and time slip.”

“Seems I’ll be picking up a few of your other books quite soon! Thanks for the ride!”

“Flashback was a great book. Max and Deanna were very well developed, they made me feel like I knew them. I read this book five times, I liked it so much.”

Check out more reviews of Flashback here on my website

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