Simon Rose's Blog, page 21

Lake Bonavista Christmas Fair

Looking for the perfect gift?

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

Learn all about my many novels, including the new novel, An Untimely Death, as well as about my coaching and editing services for writers and authors.

Hope to see you there.

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Canyon Meadows Christmas Market

Looking for the perfect gift?

This Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm I’ll be signing copies of all my books at the Canyon Meadows Christmas Market. The event is being held at Canyon Meadows Community Association, 844-848 Cantabrian Drive SW in Calgary.

Learn all about my many novels, including the new novel, An Untimely Death, as well as about my coaching and editing services for writers and authors.

Hope to see you there.

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Magic in Stories for Younger Readers

I’m honoured to now be a Contributing Editor at Write By The Sea, where you’ll find all sorts of helpful resources for writers with new materials added to the library regularly.

My latest post entitled Magic in Stories for Younger Readers is an excerpt from my book, The Children’s Writer’s Guide, which you can learn more about here.

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Copywriting for Business

I offer a number of writer services for business. The way in which you communicate with your customers is a vital component of your business and well written content can be the difference between success and failure.

I have extensive experience in writing for a wide range of industries and market segments. I offer a variety of copywriting services including website content, blogs and newsletters, social media including Facebook and X, brochures, direct mail, sales letters, press releases, newspaper and magazine advertising and more.

Learn more about my range of writing services here.

The post Copywriting for Business appeared first on Simon Rose.

Behind the Story with Kristin Butcher

Behind the Story with Kristin Butcher

Today I welcome award-winning author, Kristin Butcher, to my blog. Kristin and I met in Toronto 20 years ago when we were both touring Ontario for CCBC Canadian Children’s Book Week. Since then, Kristin has been a Book Week presenter twice more and has published 30 books for kids and teens. Her most recent title is Closer to Far Away, a coming of age novel about a 13-year-old girl in rural Saskatchewan during prohibition. It involves a family tragedy, bootlegging, strained relationships, and the power of love.

Kristin, this new novel is historical fiction. Isn’t that a departure for you?

Yes and no. Historical fiction is my favourite genre to read, and it is what I’ve always yearned to write, but there aren’t a lot of children’s publishers willing to take on historical novels. So, when I dipped my toe into the publishing industry waters, I thought it wiser to write stories set in modern times. Being a teacher, I was familiar with the sorts of books kids were reading, and so that’s what I wrote. That didn’t mean I wasn’t also writing historical fiction. I just wasn’t submitting it for publication. I actually wrote the original draft of Closer to Far Away back in 2001. Then I shut it away in a file on the computer and forgot about it for 22 years.

What made you pull it out again?

My love of the genre hasn’t ebbed over the years, and I’m not getting any younger. If I want to pursue my dream of writing historical fiction, it’s now or never. On the bright side, I have established a name for myself in the industry, and my hope is that my reputation might help me find publishers willing to take a chance on the genre. Crwth Press published my historical hockey story, Isobel’s Stanley Cup (2018) and after that a magical realism series of books set in 11th century Ireland called The Seer Trilogy. The hockey book was especially well-received, and that encouraged me to keep pushing, and so I reopened the file on Closer to Far Away.

I see the publisher is Red Deer Press. Why the change?

There are a few reasons. For starters, Crwth Press wasn’t taking submissions at the time, so I couldn’t go back to that well. Over the course of my writing career, I’ve dealt with many publishers. Much as people might think that once a writer finds a publisher, the two are joined at the hip for eternity, that is not the case. The rejections don’t stop. But neither do I. If one door closes, I knock on another. In the past, I have knocked on Red Deer’s door a few times. I greatly admire Peter Carver, who was the editor there for years. Though I came close to acceptance a couple of times, I never actually secured a contract. The editor there now is Beverley Brenna, and the fact that Red Deer has published some very successful historical fiction novels recently was enticement to try there again. And the rest is history. (pun intended.)

Why this story?

I’m not really sure. Ideas fly in and out of my head all day long, so it’s hard to say why I glom onto some and let the others go. This story grew out of a vignette I wrote about a little girl in the early 1900s in Saskatchewan, who witnesses a funeral at the church at the end of her street. It is a freezing cold day in February, and the little girl is filled with questions afterwards. The vignette focuses on her struggle to make sense of what she has seen. Closer to Far Away grew out of that. It became the story of what happens to this girl and her family 8 years later when the mother dies suddenly. The story opens following the mother’s funeral.

What can readers look forward to next?

I seem to be stuck on the Canadian prairies during the early part of the 20th century. I recently finished a novel based on my grandfather’s experience as a Barnardo boy and then a Canadian home child. The story begins in London, England in 1911, where 11-year-old William and his young sister, Lily, become orphaned and find themselves in Dr. Barnardo’s Home for Destitute Children. They become separated when William is sent to Canada as a home child. He ends up with an abusive farmer in Saskatchewan, and realizes that if he is going to survive, he must run away and somehow find his sister. This sort of situation wasn’t unusual at that time, and I think it is a part of Canadian history sadly ignored in literature. The novel is called Finding William and is currently searching for a publisher.

At the moment I am working on another middle-grade novel titled Those Lawler Girls. Set in post-World War l Winnipeg at the time of the Spanish Flu pandemic and the Winnipeg General Strike, it is the story of Jenny Lawler and her family and how they struggle to survive the challenges of the time. It tackles such themes as poverty, frenemies, family, social change, compassion, and determination. The topics may sound heavy, but the characters—particularly Jenny’s little sister, Louisa—ground the book and provide a good deal of humour.

Thank you, Kristin. You are definitely keeping busy.

The launch for Closer to Far Away is coming up on Saturday, November 23rd. If you’re in the Campbell River area, please pop in to Coho Books and join the fun. For more information about Kristin and her books, visit her website at www.kristinbutcher.com .

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How to Write Great Stories for Children and Young Adults

The Writing for Children and Young Adults course focuses on writing for children aged 8 to 14 years. However some of the material also covers older and younger age groups.

Learn how to write effective, authentic, and appealing fiction for children and young adults and how to turn your ideas into compelling stories. 

The course explores the writing process from initial concept to finished work including story structure, developing plausible characters and dialogue, the creation of outlines and the importance of research, editing and revision.

Further details, course content, and registration information can be found here.

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“This book has everything children and this adult love to read about. I could not put the book down.”

Future Imperfect

Andrew Mitchell was one of the leading experts in highly advanced technology in Silicon Valley, until he vanished following a car accident, which also injured his son, Alex.

When a mysterious app later appears on Alex’s phone, he and his friend Stephanie embark on a terrifying journey involving secret technology, corporate espionage, kidnapping, and murder in a desperate bid to save the future from the sinister Veronica Castlewood.

“Often stories that involve cross overs from the future are confusing and lacking in believability. Future Imperfect has none of that. It is well written and will keep the reader engaged.”

“This book has everything children and this adult love to read about. I could not put the book down until I had finished it, as the story kept me engaged until the end.  Another great story written by Simon Rose, I look forward to reading his next book.”

Learn more about Future Imperfect here on my website.

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Obsidian’s Command: Konn Lavery’s New Dark Fantasy Novel

Today, I’m pleased to welcome back fellow Canadian author Konn Lavery. We had him on the blog last year for his novel, Crystal Moth Conspiracy. Now, we follow up with him regarding the release of his novel’s sequel, Obsidian’s Command.

Welcome, Konn. Tell us about your new novel, Obsidian’s Command.

Thanks for having me back, Simon! A quick one-sentence pitch would be:

A darkness calls to convict Lola Cabello from beyond the fabrics of reality, whispering words of power, she’ll ignore the consequences to herself, her loved ones, and the world, to assassinate the fallen angel who shattered her life.

This is a sequel to your 2023 novel, Crystal Moth Conspiracy, correct?

That’s correct. Obsidian’s Command continues the story of Lola Cabello from Crystal Moth Conspiracy: Ash Born Book One. It also works as a standalone novel. So, if you haven’t read the first book, you won’t be confused. Of course, if you go back and read it, you’ll find many character cameos and mythos expansions in the new novel.

Lola Cabell is the main character, as you mentioned. What made her take centre stage?

She first appeared in The Macrocosm back in 2013 with my crime thriller novel, YEGman, as a reporter who follows protagonist Michael Bradford. While drafting out the plan for the Ash Born series, I wanted the protagonist to be relatable for people while referencing my past work.

Lola Cabello lined up perfectly, considering her ending in YEGman. Her bold attitude, fearlessness to get her hands dirty, and dark nature fit well for the themes found in the series.

The Macrocosm? Let’s refresh readers on what that is.

My stories belong within The Macrocosm, a superverse spanning across time and space that I’ve been writing in for as long as I can remember. The stories are multi-genre, fitting in the horror, dark fantasy, thriller, and sci-fi categories, depending on which one you read.

The universe didn’t have a name for most of my life until 2021 with the short story collection, Into the Macrocosm. My Ash Born series does a great job of having character cameos, extended lore, while offering new readers an introduction to the vast world.

How does Obsidian’s Command fit in The Macrocosm?

With Lola as our main character, we see her journey take her deeper into the mythology of the old world. Ash Born takes place in modern times, with the underbelly housing what remains of a forgotten time.

Obsidian’s Command shows us the last of the vazelead people (a group of humanoid reptilians) and the otherworldly ghouls, dimensional lightless ones, and supernatural fallen angels and demons.

Who’s your favourite character in the book?

They’re each fun to write for their own reasons. My personal favourite would have to be Ricardo Iglesias for his rich background and the difficulties he has as a levelheaded single father who buys into the conspiracy Lola Cabello did in book one.

Who’s your least favourite character in the book?

That’s a tough one! Each of them has admirable characteristics and undesirable traits. Your opinions of the characters change as they evolve throughout the story too. If I had to pick one, I’d say I enjoyed writing Rithu Blacktooth at the beginning. While his character grew into his own, I dislike his personality. But characters have their own motives and you have to let them follow them to be realistic.

And what’s next for you?

I have multiple projects on the go. The next couple of releases are short stories. The first is Respect the Monkey found in Violent Advents: A Christmas Horror Anthology by L. Stephenson, available in December 2024. In 2025, I have Freosan in Hauntings and Hoarfrost by Tyche Books in January 2025.

The next novel I’m writing is a cosmic horror story whose release date and method is to be determined. Ash Born Book Three is also in the outline stage.

Where can readers discover you?

My newsletter is a great way to strike up a conversation or to keep tabs on my work and to get an exclusive ebook from the Macrocosm Intro Collection: https://konnlavery.com/newsletter-sign-up/

You can find my work from my website, where I have the novels, short story collections, anthologies I am in, and audiobooks. https://konnlavery.com/

If people want to interact with me, I’m active on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

My new novel is available directly from me and on all distributors: https://konnlavery.com/product/obsidians-command

Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Obsidians-Command-Ash-Born-Book-ebook/dp/B0DF7ZNHNB/

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/obsidian-s-command

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/obsidians-command-ash-born-book-two/id6669721556

 

Thanks for having me, Simon!

The post Obsidian’s Command: Konn Lavery’s New Dark Fantasy Novel appeared first on Simon Rose.

Copywriting for Business

I offer a number of writer services for business. The way in which you communicate with your customers is a vital component of your business and well written content can be the difference between success and failure.

I have extensive experience in writing for a wide range of industries and market segments. I offer a variety of copywriting services including website content, blogs and newsletters, social media including Facebook and X, brochures, direct mail, sales letters, press releases, newspaper and magazine advertising and more.

Learn more about my range of writing services here.

The post Copywriting for Business appeared first on Simon Rose.

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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