Cynthea Masson's Blog, page 2

Chapters Nanaimo

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Today I extend sincere gratitude to Tim Purtle, General Manager at Chapters Nanaimo, for his kindness and generosity when I stopped by the store to sign books yesterday! I’ve always found the entire team at Chapters to be extraordinarily supportive of local authors. Speaking with Tim, Erin, and other employees yesterday was particularly enjoyable! So, if you live in or near Nanaimo, please stop by and pick up a signed copy of Flaw in the Stone. 

Both The Alchemists’ Council and The Flaw in t...

The Rebis or Alchemical Hermaphrodite

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[image error] “The Great Hermaphrodite” by Aaron Stewart Lewis Knapp

Recently, I wrote to Aaron Stewart Lewis Knapp regarding the alchemical artwork on the website Chemical Marriage and my intention to write a blog entry about the Rebis (or Alchemical Hermaphrodite). I received a timely and gracious response including the generous offer to “use any content I’ve made.” Thus, I have chosen to feature two of Knapp’s original pieces–“The Great Hermaphrodite” and “The Engagement of the Rebis“–to begin my explo...

Seeking Dimension Dogs…

If you have a copy of The Alchemists’ Council or Flaw in the Stone, I’d love to add your #DimensionDog, #CouncilCat, or #PortalPic to the blog or gallery at NEWS FROM COUNCIL DIMENSION. Here are a few recent contributions:

Our latest #DimensionDog…

[image error]INDY (SUBMITTED BY JESSICA)

Our latest #CouncilCat…

[image error]OLIVER (SUBMITTED BY TAMY)

Our latest #PortalPic…

[image error]JAMAICA (SUBMITTED BY ROD)

These recent pics all feature the ARC (Advance Reading Copy) of Flaw in the Stone, but the actual book is about to hit...

Seeking #DimensionDogs

If you have a copy of The Alchemists’ Council or Flaw in the Stone, I’d love to add your #DimensionDog, #CouncilCat, or #PortalPic to the blog or gallery at NEWS FROM COUNCIL DIMENSION. Here are a few recent contributions:

Our latest #DimensionDog…

[image error]INDY (SUBMITTED BY JESSICA)

Our latest #CouncilCat…

[image error]OLIVER (SUBMITTED BY TAMY)

Our latest #PortalPic…

[image error]JAMAICA (SUBMITTED BY ROD)

These recent pics all feature the ARC (Advance Reading Copy) of Flaw in the Stone, but the actual book is about to hit...

#PortalPics from the Final Days of 2017

Though I have remained in Nanaimo over the holidays working, among other things, on The Amber Garden (yes, Book Three is underway), the ARC of Book Two continues its 2017 travels through dimensional portals.

Here, for example, we find The Flaw in the Stone at the headwaters of the Amazon–that’s headwaters not headquarters, of the river not the bookstore! Thank you, Tamy, for this glorious pic from Peru! (I have since been informed that a Rebel Branch stronghold is located within a few miles o...

Holiday Alchemy 2017

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Happy Holidays!

If you’ve been reading this blog, you already understand the importance of bees to The Alchemists’ Council. Here are two recent seasonal photos, both of which feature bee embroidery. One is of my favourite holiday ornament; the other features my new footwear, which a friend immediately dubbed “alchemy shoes!”

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Content Warning

As I posted last month, Advance Reading Copies of The Flaw in the Stone began to circulate during November’s World Fantasy Convension. Along with the b...

From Academic Article to Fantasy Novel

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Back in September 2016, as part of Vancouver Island University’s Arts and Humanities Colloquium Series, I presented a lecture entitled “From Academic Article to Fantasy Novel: Medieval Alchemy and The Alchemists’ Council.” Thanks to VIU and the Media Research Lab, that presentation is now available on YouTube. Thanks specifically to Harlen Bertrand, the recently uploaded version has been reedited so that all the slides/images are visible.

The video begins with introductions to VIU and the Co...

Adventures at World Fantasy Con 2017

 

[image error]My first experience at World Fantasy Con truly was fantastic! I enjoyed every moment! Attending panels, hearing authors read, wandering around the art displays, and talking with various writers, publishers, and other people interested in fantasy literature were pleasures through and through.

[image error]One highlight was the opportunity to meet folk who stopped by to chat at either Friday night’s “signature event” or the ECW booth throughout the convention. Special thanks to the people who came to my r...

World Fantasy Con 2017 Announcement

Hello Alchemists and Friends! I’m pleased to announce that I will be reading from The Flaw in the Stone at World Fantasy Convention 2017. In addition to attending the Friday night Signature Event, I will be signing books on Saturday morning (beginning at 11 a.m. at the ECW booth) and reading on Saturday afternoon (beginning at 3 p.m. in ExecSalon 3). If you attend WFC, please stop by and say hello–I’d love to meet readers!

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The Flaw in the Stone

After a summer of revising Book 2 and writing (as much as possible of) Book 3, the new academic year is upon us. For now, I must set aside the fantasy writing and turn my attention to teaching courses in medieval literature and composition.

But today, before venturing into The Canterbury Tales, I wanted to announce that Book 2 will be published in March (with ARCs available within the next few months to reviewers). Until then, here’s the cover image followed by a brief teaser from the Prologu...