Monthly newsletter sample copy
You can subscribe to my newsletter by using the form on the right hand side of the home page, but here below is an example of the kinds of things that are posted each month.
A Busy November
The time just seemed to fly by and here we are back in November once again.
There’s still certainly plenty going on to keep me busy. I’ve recently wrapped up an online writing course at the University of Calgary that will start again this month. I’m also still working as a mentor with a couple of fantasy authors on the writing course that will conclude in early December. The Order of Excalibur novels are now published and I’ve been working on marketing and promotion, as well as with a few interviews and podcasts. As well as all that, I’m still working on another author’s novel, a memoir project, a book for another writer and a book for a corporate client, so there’s always something going on it seems.
I hope that you and your family are safe and well, wherever you are in the world.
Muse News
My two The Order of Excalibur novels are now published and attracting attention at events and online.
The Order of Excalibur – The Ring of Fate is a fantasy novel for young adults set in Britain early in World War II. At the height of the Blitz and the Battle of Britain, young Canadian wizards Nick and Ginny are recruited by the mysterious Order of Excalibur as the country faces the threat of invasion.
The Order of Excalibur – Reich Britannia is a fantasy novel for young adults set in a parallel universe in the early 1940s, where Germany has invaded and occupied Great Britain. In a deadly alternate reality, Canadian teen wizards Nick and Ginny must risk their lives to alter the course of events and put history back on track.
The novels are available on Amazon and other places online and you can learn more about that on my website, including the historical background to both of the stories.
Book Reviews
If you’d be interested in providing some reviews of The Order of Excalibur books, please contact me directly at sorcerersletterbox@gmail.com.
Non-fiction Books
Over the years, I’ve written many non-fiction books, which you can learn more about here on my website. Sometimes these books will need to be updated and most recently I wrote a new edition of a book all about Canada’s Political Parties.
Author Events
I’ll be at festive events in Calgary on November 8 at Canyon Meadows, Lake Bonavista on November 15/16, Granary Road on November 22, Haysboro on November 29, and at Social Grounds in Oakridge on November 30.
I’ll also be at some more festive events in December in the Calgary area and will have more details of those in the next newsletter.
Hope to see you there.
The Writers Circle
The Writers Circle is a monthly event in Calgary, where we get to know each other, discuss works in progress, writing, publishing and more. All you need to do is come prepared to tell everyone about your current writing projects at this informal drop-in networking event. Please contact me if you’d like to be added to the mailing list.
Writing Time Travel for Middle Grade and YA
Check out my chat with my fellow writer, Suzy Vadori, on the Show, Don’t Tell Writing podcast. On the show, we cover my own experiences with my own novels, my writer’s guides, as well as tips and advice for writers creating work in the time travel and historical fiction genres for Middle Grade and YA readers.
Check out the link to the podcast here. There will also be a second podcast recorded at the beginning of November and I’ll post a link to that in the next newsletter.
The Relatable Voice Magazine
The recently published interview in The Relatable Voice Magazine is mostly about The Order of Excalibur novels, but we also cover a few other projects as well. You can check out the interview here.
University of Calgary
The University of Calgary’s online Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling course runs again this month. I’m also still working as a mentor to a couple of authors in the Creative Writing Final Project course, which will continue into December.
Blog Tours
Blog tours involve the posting of an interview with me about a new book on some other author’s blog. This time around it would involve an interview about The Order of Excalibur novels. In return, I agree to post an interview with that particular author on my blog. The interviews can appear online around the same time, but not necessarily. Blog tours are an excellent way to gain visibility with an entirely new audience, as each author’s followers check out the interview. Check out the recent interview with Nina Munteanu about the Through the Portal Anthology. There will be interviews with other authors on my blog, so be sure to stay tuned.
Please contact me through my website if you’d be interested in exchanging blog interviews.
Author Happenings
I’m honoured to be a contributing editor at Write by the Sea, where you’ll find all sorts of helpful resources for writers with materials and tips added to the library regularly. Check out this article about avoiding preaching when writing for younger readers. You can also listen to podcasts at Write by the Sea as well as on our YouTube channel.
Editing, Coaching, and Copywriting
I’ve currently working with a client on a corporate project that’s unlike much of the other stuff I usually do. However, I’ve worked on similar business-related projects in the past and will no doubt continue to do so in the future. I’m available for coaching, editing, and consulting work with authors in all genres and for all age groups, as well as for business writing projects.
“I would highly recommend Simon to anyone wanting to work with a positive, knowledgeable writing coach.”
“Simon did a great job in completing my book! Highly recommended.”
“I highly recommend his coaching and editing services to writers in all genres.”
You can learn more about my various services here on my website.
Classes and Courses
My online courses are always available, including Writing Historical Fiction and Writing for Children and Young Adults. There are also many workshops for children and young adults to choose from.
Cool Links
This article looks at why some books might have their cover s redesigned over the course of their lifespans.
This one looks into ways to get into the right mindset and find your muse.
“I write only because there is a voice within me that will not be stilled.” Sylvia Plath
