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“The Emerald Curse is a very well written and appealing adventure book. Highly recommended.”
The Emerald Curse Charles Kelly was the world’s greatest comic book artist, until he disappeared without a trace. Two years later, his grandson Sam discovers a mysterious pen in Kelly’s attic studio. Sam is soon propelled into a bizarre dimension, where super villains are all powerful and disturbingly real, and finds himself in a deadly confrontation with an evil entity, imprisoned inside a mystical gemstone since the dawn of time. “I bought your book The Emerald Curse and it is brilliant and I can’t wait for your next...
read moreAn Untimely Death
An Untimely Death is an exciting science fiction and fantasy adventure for young adults. When Peter’s great-grandfather, Ted, passes away, Peter is looking through his belongings in the attic. Peter knows about Ted’s experiences with the Canadian Army in World War II and absentmindedly flips a coin. To his astonishment, Peter finds himself in the heat of battle in 1944, where he embarks on a highly dangerous mission to ensure that history is placed back on track. Learn more...
read moreUpcoming Courses – University of Calgary
Writing Fiction for Children and Youth Writing for children and youth is a rich and vibrant global market. Focus on writing fiction for readers aged 8 to 12 years. Examine the writing process from initial concept to finished work including turning ideas into stories, story structure, developing characters, creating outlines, and the importance of editing and revision. Students will explore market and publishing opportunities in this interactive and supportive online course. Course Details Learning Outcomes By completion of this course,...
read moreWriters to Writers – Episode 2
Check out the latest Writers to Writers podcast at Write by the Sea here on YouTube. In this episode we chat about creating plots, hooking the reader, crafting great pacing, developing your characters, and more.
read moreShadowzone – “a great read … Highly recommend this series!”
“Time travel, alternate worlds, and societal sub-cultures are blended into a great plot, and a gripping and relevant read. The environmental stewardship aspect of this story echoes our current day challenges, as do the almost prescient references to a dangerous virus. Characters were well drawn and the reader is cheering for their success. The three books in the series flow smoothly together. A great read for middle school ages and up, to both engage interest and build vocabulary. Highly recommend this series!” While watching intense...
read moreAn Interview with Valerie Walker
My guest today is Calgary author, Valerie Walker. Welcome, Valerie. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your work? Thanks Simon, it’s a pleasure to be here. I’m self-published and am the author of four books in the Hedley the Hedgehog series, two time-travel historical fiction books set in Calgary and Kananaskis Country, and one YA adventure novel set in Italy in the summer of 1956. I first began writing around 1989, but didn’t publish my first book, The Adventures of Hedley the Hedgehog, until 1998. Where do you get...
read more“A well-written, suspenseful time travel story sure to keep readers engaged till its very clever ending.”
The Sorcerer’s Letterbox In a hidden drawer in the base of an old wooden box, Jack discovers a letter from a boy calling himself Edward. Penning a reply, Jack is astonished to be corresponding through time with the boy king Edward V, one of the famous Princes in the Tower, murdered by King Richard III. Travelling back in time, Jack attempts to rescue Edward V and his brother from their fate, but is soon fighting for his life in the terrifying London of 1483. “Your book is the best !!!!!!!!!!! I wished it never ended!...
read moreUpcoming Courses – University of Calgary
Writing Fiction for Children and Youth Writing for children and youth is a rich and vibrant global market. Focus on writing fiction for readers aged 8 to 12 years. Examine the writing process from initial concept to finished work including turning ideas into stories, story structure, developing characters, creating outlines, and the importance of editing and revision. Students will explore market and publishing opportunities in this interactive and supportive online course. Course Details Learning Outcomes By completion of this course,...
read moreCopywriting 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...
read moreThe Order of Excalibur
The Order of Excalibur – The Ring of Fate is a fantasy novel for young adults set in England 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 nightmare world, Canadian teen...
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