Oct 6, 2026 Posted by Simon Rose

The Stone of the Seer – Where Magic and Historical Fiction Collide

The Stone of the Seer is an exciting historical fantasy series of adventure novels for young adults, primarily set in the turbulent era of the English Civil War. “Magic and Historical Fiction Collide – This book combines historical fiction with a world of magic. It is set in the period of the English Civil War and incorporates magic, mystery and witch hunting. This book engages the reader with... read more

Oct 4, 2026 Posted by Simon Rose

New Podcasts at Write by the Sea

Strengthening the Pace in Your Writing. Good pacing keeps readers moving through your work while giving them enough time to absorb what matters. In these episodes of Writers to Writers, we share some practical tips for improving the pacing of both fiction and nonfiction. Check out part one and part two on YouTube. Tips for Creating Effective Dialogue – Part 1 Does your dialogue sound natural when you... read more

Oct 2, 2026 Posted by Simon Rose

Upcoming Courses – University of Calgary

Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling: A Quick Review A well written document reflects our attention to detail and can mean the difference between getting and keeping a job. Many of us learned the basic rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling in grade school, however, may have lost these basic skills in our digitized world. This course will look at the basic rules of language and spelling, identify the... read more

Sep 30, 2026 Posted by Simon Rose

Shadowzone – “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 more

Sep 27, 2026 Posted by Simon Rose

What’s it all about? An excerpt from Where Do Ideas Come From?

Introduction Many of my novels can be used as the basis for workshops and projects in the classroom. The Alchemist’s Portrait, The Sorcerer’s Letterbox, and The Heretic’s Tomb are all time travel stories and can be used as the basis for workshops in which students create time machines and stories set in a different era. All three novels are also ideal for studying the different historical periods... read more