Simon Rose - Author Writer Presenter www.simon-rose.com

Ideal for Christmas Gifts - Autographed Books, Direct from the Author

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:35:00 +0000

In addition to bookstores across Canada and around the world, you can also obtain signed copies of all my books, The Doomsday Mask, The Heretic's Tomb, The Emerald Curse, The Clone Conspiracy, The Sorcerer's Letterbox and The Alchemist's Portrait directly from me. I am always happy to sign books for my readers and to inscribe a special message. Descriptions of all the books can be found on my website here.

You can order books through the order form on my website here or simply contact me directly by e mail at info@simon-rose.com or sorcerersletterbox@gmail.com. Full sets of all six novels are also available at discounted prices, depending on the number of books you require. Please contact me directly for further information on ordering sets or books.

Wanted: A Place for a Novel Without a Home

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:52:00 +0000

In addition to my already published novels and upcoming projects for children ages eight to twelve, I have another completed novel on a paranormal theme which I am seeking a home for, if there are any interested editors and publishers reading this. The exciting and fast paced plot involves such themes as reincarnation, past life regression, psychics, clandestine government conspiracies, official cover-ups and unsolved mysteries stretching back decades.

Examples of previous work and my six published novels can of course be found here on my website, but anyone interested in further details on my paranormal project may contact me directly by e mail at sorcerersletterbox@gmail.com.

Unusual and Marvellous Maps @ Dark Roasted Blend

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:21:00 +0000

Check out my article, Unusual and Marvelous Maps, at Dark Roasted Blend

I’ve always been fond of maps, from those antique ones showing sea serpents and hideous monsters devouring ships in the vast expanses of the ocean, to those showing what the world looked like in the distant, and not so distant, past. Maps have, of course, been with us in one form or another, for a long time and this article looks at depictions of the world, geographic regions and individual countries from the ancient world, the age of discovery, alternate realities and more.

Dark Roasted Blend is among the finest locations online to find the weird, the wonderful and the fantastic, crammed with great articles, stunning photography, plus fabulous new content appears daily.

Book signing at Coles Books in Calgary Sunday November 29

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 08:49:00 +0000

Today I will be signing copies of The Doomsday Mask at Coles books in Market Mall at 3625 Shaganappi Trail NW. I will also be signing copies of The Heretic's Tomb, The Emerald Curse, The Clone Conspiracy, The Sorcerer's Letterbox and The Alchemist's Portrait. Hope to see you there.

Book signing at Chapters in Calgary Saturday November 28

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:44:00 +0000

Today I will be signing copies of The Doomsday Mask at Chapters at Chinook Centre at 6455 MacLeod Trail SW. I will also be signing copies of The Heretic's Tomb, The Emerald Curse, The Clone Conspiracy, The Sorcerer's Letterbox and The Alchemist's Portrait. Hope to see you there.

Book signing at Chapters in Calgary Friday November 27

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:59:00 +0000

Today I will be signing copies of The Doomsday Mask at the Sunridge Spectrum Chapters in NE Calgary at #500 - 2555 32 St NE. I will also be signing copies of The Heretic's Tomb, The Emerald Curse, The Clone Conspiracy, The Sorcerer's Letterbox and The Alchemist's Portrait. Hope to see you there.

Britain's Colourful Pub Signs - Part One @ Dark Roasted Blend

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:28:00 +0000

Check out my article, Britain's Colourful Pub Signs, at Dark Roasted Blend

Britain’s colourful pub signs speak volumes about the country’s equally colourful history, as well as depicting folklore, heraldry and social customs. Pubs were never named by accident and each sign invariably has a story behind it. The artwork on Britain’s pub signs is inspired by royalty and nobility, religion and the church, military heroes and battles, occupations and trades, myths and legends, sporting activities and pastimes, along with numerous other sources.

Dark Roasted Blend is among the finest locations online to find the weird, the wonderful and the fantastic, crammed with great articles, stunning photography, plus fabulous new content appears daily.

Creative Writing Classes for Home Schoolers @ South Fish Creek Recreation Centre, Calgary - January & February 2010.

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:53:00 +0000

Join me for classes in creative writing especially for home school children at South Fish Creek Recreation Centre in SW Calgary. The next set of classes take place every Tuesday, from January 5 to February 23, 2010. Registration details are available here.

Junior Adventures in Creative Writing - Ages 6 and 7

Spectacular Story Starters - What if you received a letter telling you you'd been accepted into a school for wizards? Or discovered a door into another universe at the back of your bedroom closet? Or a flying boy dressed all in green appeared at your bedroom window inviting you to take a journey to a magical land? Perhaps you followed a rabbit down a hole and ended up in a bizarre underground universe? If you could travel back in time, where would you go? What would you do if you had a clone for the day? Learn where ideas come from and how writers turn them into stories in theses classes guaranteed to provide inspiration, spark imagination and stimulate invention.

Adventures in Creative Writing Ages - Two classes, ages 9 to 11 & 12 to 15

Fabulous Fantasy Realm - In these classes, we examine the elements of fantasy and the many creatures and characters that inhabit the fantasy realm. Most children are familiar with the monsters and strange creatures from mythology, books and movies and in these workshops they invent their own unique mythological creature along with its powers, enemies, diet, habitat, and the land where it lives. Children will also create their own fantasy kingdom, complete with its system of government, myths and legends, magical objects, currency, major landmarks, natural features such as mountain ranges, rivers and oceans and more.

All classes commence Tuesday, January 5 and run until February 23, 2010. Registration details are available here.

Wonder Weapons of World War Two @ Dark Roasted Blend

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:57:00 +0000

Check out my article Wonder Weapons of World War Two at Dark Roasted Blend.

The Second World War was a period of remarkable advances in technology and many new weapons were invented during this period, some of which entered production and actually saw service in the war, while others never left the drawing board.

Most of us are familiar with the secret weapons the Nazis had at their disposal in the last months of the war that were expected to turn the tide against the Allies. However, Germany had a reputation as a scientifically advanced nation well before the outbreak of hostilities in 1939. At the beginning of the war, the Germans had a significant advantage in many areas of military technology, although it lost the lead, for a variety of reasons, as the war progressed.

Dark Roasted Blend is among the finest locations online to find the weird, the wonderful and the fantastic, crammed with great articles, stunning photography, plus fabulous new content appears daily.

Writing and Publishing Your Children's Novel - University of Calgary, February 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:37:00 +0000

Each year, the Continuing Education department at the University of Calgary serves over 20,000 lifelong learners and offers thousands of courses taught by more than 1,000 instructors – all experts in their fields.

Writing and Publishing Your Children's Novel This workshop deals with getting started as a writer for young readers and the subsequent path to publication. You will examine the writing process from initial concept through to the finished manuscript, including how to turn ideas into stories, story structure, developing characters, the creation of outlines and the importance of editing and revision. You will also examine ways to research publishing houses where you can submit your work, cover letters, synopses and sample chapters.

Learn more about the Writing and Publishing Your Children's Novel workshop and how to register here

Book Signings and Promotional Events - This month's teleclass at the Children's Writers' Coaching Club

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:59:00 +0000

Join me on November 25 at 7 pm, Mountain Standard Time at the Children's Writers' Coaching Club at the National Writing for Children Center. In this month's class, entitled Book Signings and Promotional Events, we examine how to arrange events, dealing with bookstores, how to sell more copies at your event, advertising and marketing and more.

Copies of archived teleclasses can be purchased here. Check out the Children's Writers' Coaching Club today.

Christmas Parties for Children!

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:44:00 +0000

For your company's children's Christmas party, experience inviting a real live author to share in the festivities!

Children create their own unique and incredible adventure, in a lively, interactive and fun filled session. All party guests give full reign to their incredible imagination to conceive their own special story. There are prize draws for a choice of one of my books, personally inscribed and signed, plus all party guests will also have the opportunity to purchase autographed books.

For details of fees and availability for children’s parties, visit my website or you can contact me directly by e mail at info@simon-rose.com or sorcerersletterbox@gmail.com

The Extraordinary World of Ex Libris Art - The New Article at Dark Roasted Blend

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:26:00 +0000

Ex libris, meaning ‘from the library of’, or ‘from the books of’ is a Latin expression attached to the art form of bookplates. These are stamps or labels that appear inside books to denote ownership, and range from the simple to the decorative and elaborate, to the obscure or even bizarre and surreal.

The Extraordinary World of Ex Libris Art is now published at Dark Roasted Blend, among the finest locations online to find the weird, the wonderful and the fantastic, crammed with great articles, stunning photography, plus fabulous new content which appears daily.

The Motivated Writer: The Interview & Chat with The Writer's Retreat - October 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:29:00 +0000

Check out the transcript of my recent chat online with The Writer's Retreat at the Institute of Children's Literature. We covered a wide range of topics including finding and maintaining motivation, dealing with rejection, sources of inspiration, the ups and downs of the writing life, ways of dealing with writer's block, influences on writing, making a living as a writer, marketing, advertising and promotion, approaching publishers and agents, the writing process, creating characters and much more.

Check out The Motivated Writer at The Writer's Retreat today.

Cheers to Beers @ Dark Roasted Blend

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:48:00 +0000

Check out my article Cheers to Beers at Dark Roasted Blend.

Beer is the most popular beverage in the world after water and tea and had been produced for thousands of years.This article examines the weird, the fascinating, the potent and the expensive, from around the world, with a selection of beers that simply boggle the mind.

Dark Roasted Blend is among the finest locations online to find the weird, the wonderful and the fantastic, crammed with great articles, stunning photography, plus fabulous new content appears daily.

Ideal for Christmas Gifts - Autographed Books, Direct from the Author

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Creative Writing for Home Schoolers at Cardel Place, North Central Calgary - January to April, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:46:00 +0000

Join me for classes in creative writing, especially for home school children from the northern part of the city of Calgary and in the surrounding area, at Cardel Place, for community sports and recreation. The next set of classes take place every Thursday, from January 14 to April 1, 2010.

January 14 - February 18 Time Travel Tales – In these sessions, children create their own time travel stories, complete with a time machine, method or device. We will discuss their time travel methods, the time period chosen, the story premise and see how much attention they have paid to accurate historical research to make their story more authentic and to crafting a plausible means of traveling in time. They will then create a title for their story and a concise, attention-grabbing back cover for their potential book. We also explore how to write gripping fiction, in terms of attention grabbing back covers, page turning beginnings and cliff-hanger endings.

February 25 - April 1 Superstuff! - In these sessions, children can create their own unique superheroes, with powers, extended families and one or more archenemies. They will create a detailed biography of the character, complete with an origin story, facts about their superpowers and weaknesses, their secret identity, headquarters, arch enemy and more. Students will draw their creation, create a cover for a comic book and write a short piece describing the hero's origin tale, plus an action packed concise newspaper story, complete with an attention-grabbing headline, about a recent battle that hero had with the main villain.

Cardel Place is located at 11950 Country Village Link NE, Calgary, AB T3K 6E3. All classes commence Tuesday, January 14 and run until April 1, 2010. Registration details are available here.

Teleclasses every month at the National Writing for Children Center

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:22:00 +0000

Join me at the Children's Writers' Coaching Club at the National Writing for Children Center for live teleclasses every month. 

Upcoming sessions, plus teleclasses archived on the site and available for purchase, include such topics as Naming your Characters, Writing Non-fiction, Creating Conflict, Time Travel Tales, Websites and Online Marketing, The Importance of Historical Research, Beyond Belief: Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy for Younger Readers, People Plotting and Creating Characters, Ideas: Where to Find Them and How to Use Them, Marketing and Promotion for Writers and Authors, The Curse of Writers Block, School and Library Visits, Book Signings and Promotional Events, Writers and Seasonal Affective Disorder, Magic in Stories for Children, The Importance of Editing and Revision, Creating Time and Space for Your Writing and much more.

Copies of archived teleclasses can be purchased here. Check out the Children's Writers' Coaching Club today.

Online Workshops for Children and Young Adults at simon-rose.com

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:42:00 +0000

Give your aspiring young authors the unique opportunity to work with a published author by employing an online writer in residence, right in your own home with my Online Workshops for Children and Young Adults. Many children are interested in writing, but often they need help to channel their ability in a particular direction and give them the encouragement they need to move forward. Having access to professional advice can encourage a child in their creativity, whatever form that may take.

Through a series of e mail assignments, details of which are available athere we explore where ideas come from and how to turn them into stories, basic story structure, plot development, creating characters, developing dialogue and more to help develop writing ability. A set of workshops can be started at any time. Following registration, all assignments are sent by e mail and are completed at your own pace, to be sent to me by return e mail. There is no time limit and participants may take as long as they wish to complete their full set of workshops.

Check out Online Workshops for Children and Young Adults today.

Magic in Stories for Children - Continued Popularity

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:35:00 +0000

Magic has been a part of mankind’s folklore, traditions, myths, legends and literature, both for children and adults, for centuries. In stories for children, the adventure may be set wholly or partly in a fantasy universe, but readers prefer to identify with the people in the story as much as possible. Even in a world populated by magical beings and fantastic creatures, the main characters can be very ordinary individuals, with friends, families, intriguing personalities, troublesome pets or siblings, mannerisms and the rest, but still have incredible experiences.

The situations confronting the story’s leading players can also be universal, no matter where they take place, and often reflect the young reader’s own experiences, even if those individuals in the story are endowed with fabulous magical powers. Magic has been with us for a very long time and will doubtless always be popular, so for children the magical novel will no doubt be with us for many years to come.

Nice Review of The Doomsday Mask

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:48:00 +0000

Here's a nice review of The Doomsday Mask at TeensReadToo.com.

"As a youth in war-torn Germany, Paul Jaeger and fellow boy soldier Jonas Krueger accidentally find a mine filled with treasure. Jonas grabs an unusual piece of blue stone just before the mine explodes, and the two boys are thrown into a nearby creek. Sure that Jonas is dead, Paul takes the stone and flees.

Years later, Paul and his grandchildren, twins Josh and Erica, fall into adventure when Jonas finds them again. Jonas tells the story of his rescue by a group called the Crystalline Order after the explosion. He also warns Paul that the Order is plotting to gain world power by rebuilding the Mask of Kulkaan, a relic from Atlantis. The piece of blue stone that Paul and Jonas found in Germany is part of that mask.

A chase across two countries ensues as Paul takes the children to find the pieces of the mask that Jonas has hidden. Carl von Wallenstein, the leader of the Order, and his henchman, Ballantyne, kill Jonas and one of his helpers, seriously injure Paul, and capture the children.

As the children fight for their lives, they learn that they are part of a prophecy involving the reincarnation of the mask. Will they be able to fight the temptation to use the mask’s power and destroy it for all time?

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."

You can read the review at TeensReadToo at http://www.teensreadtoo.com/Do omsdayMask.html

Creative Writing Classes for Home Schoolers @ South Fish Creek Recreation Centre, Calgary - January & February 2010.

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:23:00 +0000

Adventures in Creative Writing Ages - Two classes, ages 9 to 11 & 12 to 15

All classes commence Tuesday, January 5 and run until February 23, 2010. Registration details are available here.

Magic in Stories for Children - Paying the Price

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:33:00 +0000

Sometimes a being bestowing power on the hero of the story may be anything but benevolent, when a verse carved on an ancient tablet can be recited to summon a demon, which will then grant a mortal some kind of magical powers. In this type of story however, the acquisition of powers usually carries a dreadful price, such as the possession of one’s soul, the death of a loved one or something equally drastic, which the demon will return and claim as his fee.

More often, magic is an innate talent that requires training. In the Harry Potter series, Harry’s schooling forms the central part of the series, although wizard education also features in Le Guin’s Earthsea novels. At the onset of the series, Harry Potter casts spells both accidentally and badly before he learns how to perform magic properly, honing his talents at Hogwarts. Sometimes wizards have their talent from birth, but do not realize it until they hit their teens, with or without special schooling. Even an accident or other event can trigger the powers, although the person needs to be taught how to use their powers correctly by an older mentor, who may have been quietly observing them for years, wondering when their ability would first manifest itself.

The Children's Writer's Coaching Club at the National Writing for Children Center

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:13:00 +0000

Need help creating your career as a children's writer or illustrator? Or do you want to learn ways to make more of the career you already have?

Then join the Children's Writers' Coaching Club. As a member of this club, you'll work with both published and aspiring children's writers and illustrators to create the children's writing or illustrating career of your dreams. And the best part is, you won't ever have to leave your home to do it - so you can enjoy your coaching club sessions in your pjs or bathrobe, if you like. What could be better than that? Membership is only $27.00 per month. Just look at all you get for only $27.00 per month when you become a member of this fantastic club:

Live teleclasses every month. Each teleclass is taught by a successful children's book author and/or illustrator who knows the "tricks of the trade" of children's writing, illustrating, and publishing.

A monthly writing assignment, designed to become a finished project ready for submission to a publisher, usually be the end of the month, although some projects take longer. Each month we focus on some area of publishing. For example, one month we study how to write short fiction for children's magazines. Another month we focus on writing nonfiction for children's magazines. Another month we target writing picture books, etc.

The opportunity to have a manuscript professionally critiqued every week.

The opportunity to network daily via an online discussion list with other members of the CWCC, as well as the instructors. And much, much more. Check out Children's Writers' Coaching Club today.

An Interview with Barbara J. Smith

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Rose) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:09:00 +0000

My guest today is Barbara J. Smith, author of A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’ve been a freelance editor since the mid-1980s and have always dabbled in writing but have never actually put my skills to a test until now. My freelance editing background ranges from pre-school through college-level textbooks. Most of these projects involved mathematics, geography and some science textbooks at the pre-school through 5^th grade levels, but I’ve also edited secondary mathematics and college-level textbooks on dance.

At the same time I was a staff member at Princeton University. While there I was the managing editor for a scientific journal, Mammalian Genome, and also edited the Molecular Biology departmental brochure. I later worked with pre-medical students at the University helping with advising on courses and med school applications while editing various publications dealing with pre-medical issues and questions.

Due to my husband’s employment we recently relocated to the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. I had to retire early from Princeton University and was determined to use my extra time to write – finally! But volunteer activities tried to squeeze out the writing. I presently serve as administrator for the Buck Hill Art Association and am a co-chair for the Buck Hill Fine Arts and Crafts Festival. But this time, despite my busy schedule, I was not going to give up on my writing – I’m not getting any younger. And, so it began with A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit.

My husband Jeff and I enjoy the hiking, skiing, golf and photographic opportunities the Pocono Mountains have to offer. We have three grown daughters living in Boston and Georgia. Two granddaughters give me more incentive to write for children. They are hysterically funny and provide plenty of material for future books.

Travel a favorite pastime. We have traveled extensively in Europe, including some Eastern countries. One of our more interesting trips was to Ukraine where my daughter was in the Peace Corps. Our most recent trip was to Hawaii and soon we head to Sedona and the Grand Canyon.

Our retirement dream is to combine our love of travel with my interest in writing and my husband’s talents in photography. You’re never too old to have dreams.

What is your latest published work?

My first children’s book, A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit, has recently hit the book shelves. Published by Tate Publishers and Enterprises, Inc. the book was released in June. It was dedicated to my first granddaughter, Ellie. We have since had a second granddaughter, Audrey, and so the pressure is on to write a sequel to A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit. It’s in the works.

Where do you get your ideas from?

I’ve gathered ideas over the years but have never put them into action. They can come from anywhere – nature, books, or from children themselves.

What are you working on right now?

I’m presently working on a second book about Skipper who is the rabbit in my first book. This time Skipper runs into some difficulty with a fox but teaches children another good lesson.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I want to thank everyone who has helped me along the path to and since publication. This is all new to me and I find it’s actually harder to market the book than the writing and editorial phase of the process. I appreciate the pointers I receive from both my publisher and from all the more seasoned authors out there. And, I hope you’ll enjoy reading A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit to your children and grandchildren.

You can learn more about Barbara and her work at http://barbarajsmith.blogspot.com/