Cynthea Masson's Blog, page 3

Summertime Stories 2017

This afternoon I had one of the best experiences I’ve ever had as author of The Alchemists’ Council thanks to the people at Nanaimo Association of Community Living. As described on its website, “NACL is committed to removing the barriers faced by individuals with a developmental disability.”

When facilitator Robin Erickson asked the participants in her Career Exploration group what people they would like to interview about careers, one creative member suggested “an author of a fantasy novel.”...

Gratitude

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The Alchemists’ Council has recently won an Independent Publisher Book Award–specifically, the Gold Medal for Fantasy. Thank you, Independent Publishers! Congratulations to all the other medalists, especially David Waid and Russell C. Connor, whose books won the Silver and Bronze in Fantasy.

If you would like to learn more about the awards and see the winning books in all categories, click on either of the images in this post.

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During this time of gratitude, I would also like to extend my si...

The Alchemists’ Pendants

[image error]The pendant featured above was given to me a few weeks ago by Cheryl Morrison, an avid Alchemists’ Council reader. She commissioned an artist to design this piece: a tree in the Amber Garden growing out of the Lapis. I gasped when I saw it and thanked her profusely. It truly epitomizes the spirit of the book. The Lapis therein even houses a flaw. Watching the light glisten through the amber, I stood astonished.

 

[image error]Book One, Chapter Six

 

According to Cheryl, the artist who made this gift not...

Happy New Year Alchemists & Rebels!

Welcome to 2017! On New Year’s Day, a friend sent me these two photos taken at the Crowfoot Chapters in Calgary, Alberta:

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Observing that The Alchemists’ Council continues to be spotted in the wild in the same general habitat as Martin’s Game of Thrones, I have been inspired to update readers on events of the past few months.

In August I participated in Nanaimo’s first GeekCon! Held at the downtown branch of the public library, the event drew numerous participants for its games and cosplay,...

As I Work on Book 2…

Given my job as a full-time university professor, finding time to write fiction can be challenging (to say the least). As the summer moves along and the new semester rapidly approaches, my work hours become longer and longer. Of late, I have spent several days working until after midnight. Each year at about this time, I begin to feel overwhelmed.

What has helped me keep going this summer as I work on Book 2 is the positive feedback I have had both from local people and from folks I have nev...

Slayage, “The Hive,” and The Alchemists’ Council

Last week I took a break from writing Book Two of The Alchemists’ Council to attend the ‘Euro’Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses in London, UK. If you are a fan of Joss Whedon, you likely already know about Slayage. If not, let me simply say for now that Slayage is a conference that brings together both fans and scholars to present academic papers and round table discussions on all things Whedon. Since first attending in 2006, I would name Slayage (in its various incarnations) as signifi...

Reading the Alchemists’ Council: Chapter 3 (Part 2)

In Part 1 of my response to the Chapter 3 segment of The Rebel Branch Initiate’s Guide to The Alchemists’ Council, I focused on a few key elements made by both Graybosch and Higby. Part 2 will focus primarily on one particular aspect: Dragons!

Matthew’s exploration of dragon symbolism and its potential association with the Rebel Branch is interesting and diverse. I particularly appreciated learning of the Dragon Rouge, of which I was previously unaware. This and other connections Matthew has...

Reading the Alchemists’ Council: Chapter 3, Parts 2-5

For the Chapter 3 segment of The Rebel Branch Initiate’s Guide to The Alchemists’ Council, Matthew Graybosch opted to post in multiple parts. In my most recent response, I focused on a few key elements made by both Graybosch and Higby in their Chapter 3, Part 1 analysis. Since then, Parts2, 3, 4 , and 5 have been posted by Matthew. My response to these recent additions will focus primarily on an aspect Matthew brings up in Part 4: Dragons!

Matthew’s exploration of dragon symbolism and its pot...

Reading The Alchemists’ Council: Chapter 3 (Part 1)

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Before delving into this week’s extraordinary Graybosch & Higby Reading, I would like to mention something that has been on my mind of late: reviews of the book. Fortunately, most of the reviews have been positive. I extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who has taken the time not only to read The Alchemists’ Council but to post a review. Of course, like any writer with a newly published book, I am thrilled with the positive reviews, but I find the less-than-positive ones can sting (bee pu...

Reading The Alchemists’ Council: Chapter 3, Part 1

Before delving into this week’s extraordinary Graybosch & Higby Reading, I would like to mention something that has been on my mind of late: reviews of the book. Fortunately, most of the reviews have been positive. I extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who has taken the time not only to read The Alchemists’ Council but to post a review. Of course, like any writer with a newly published book, I am thrilled with the positive reviews, but I find the less-than-positive ones can sting (bee pu...