The Time Camera and The People's Book Prize

It's always nice to get some recognition for your books and The Time Camera is included in the list of books making up the summer collection for The People's Book Prize in the UK this year. 


You can learn more about The People's Book Prize and register to vote for The Time Camera here.

The Split History of World War II

The Split History of World War II is part of the 2012 Capstone Young Readers non-fiction series from Compass Point Books. For ages 10 to 14, it will be published this summer.


'When World War I ended in 1918, it was called, "the war to end all wars." But it wasn't. Unsettled issues and resentments festered for the next 20 years, culminating in the outbreak of war in Europe and Asia in the 1930s. The Axis powers, led by Germany, Italy, and Japan, joined to fight the Allies, led by the U.S., the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union.' 


You can learn more about the book and the series at the Capstone Young Readers website.


This is just the first of many non-fiction titles I have coming out this summer. Stay tuned for more news.

Corporate Writing Services - Websites

I offer professional and cost effective writing services for websites, blogs and newsletters, menus for restaurants, newspaper and magazine advertising, brochures, press releases, direct mail, training materials, reports, manuals and more. 

Copywriting for Websites 

Today, websites play a crucial role in the way the world does business. Companies lacking an online presence might as well be invisible. You may have the world’s greatest product or service, but if no one knows about it, then it might as well not exist. You need to get yourself online if you want to get noticed and you need to hire a professional to create your webpage content.

Contact me directly for rates and fees at sorcerersletterbox@gmail.com

Great Reviews of The Alchemist's Portrait - Part Six

Here are some some great reader comments about The Alchemist's Portrait 

"I just read 'The Alchemist's Portrait' today. I thought it was really excellent. Can't wait to read more of your stuff."

"I just finished reading your book. It is great! I haven't read a children's book in a while that I enjoyed as much as The Alchemist's Portrait. I will be recommending your book to anyone looking for a good kid's story."

"The book is so good I can’t STOP READING!"

"I have never really liked reading but your books make it fun. I loved the Alchemist’s Portrait and I can’t wait to read the Sorcerer’s Letterbox. I loved the suspense built in and we didn’t even get to chapter four!"

"I loved your book The Alchemist’s Portrait. It captures your imagination. YOU HAVE TO WRITE MORE BOOKS!"

The Alchemist's Portrait is available at most online bookstores, which you can link to here. Autographed copies are also always available directly from the author.  

Great Reviews of The Alchemist's Portrait - Part Five

Here are some great reader comments about The Alchemist's Portrait 

“I just read ‘The Alchemist’s Portrait’ today. I thought it was really excellent. Can’t wait to read more of your stuff.”

“I just finished reading your book. It is great! I haven’t read a children’s book in a while that I enjoyed as much as The Alchemist’s Portrait. I will be recommending your book to anyone looking for a good kid’s story.”

“The book is so good I can’t STOP READING!”

“I have never really liked reading but your books make it fun. I loved the Alchemist’s Portrait and I can’t wait to read the Sorcerer’s Letterbox. I loved the suspense built in and we didn’t even get to chapter four!”

“I loved your book The Alchemist’s Portrait. It captures your imagination. YOU HAVE TO WRITE MORE BOOKS!”

The Alchemist's Portrait is available at most online bookstores, which you can link to here. Autographed copies are also always available directly from the author.  

 

Great Reviews of The Alchemist's Portrait - Part Four

Here are some great reader comments about The Alchemist's Portrait 

"Your book was great! It was one of those books where I felt as if I were in it. I loved this book and it is now one of my all-time favourites!"

"The Alchemists Portrait was a great book to read. I love mystery, adventure and scary books. You had all of them."

"I loved it!!! It's one of my favourite books of all time!"

"I absolutely loved your book, it was amazing."

"Your book was awesome."

"I really like your book because it has a very cool story line and it is exciting."

"I enjoyed The Alchemist's Portrait. I liked the characters and it was very suspenseful. It was hard to put it down."

The Alchemist's Portrait is available at most online bookstores, which you can link to here. Autographed copies are also always available directly from the author.  

 

Great Reviews of The Alchemist's Portrait - Part Three

Here's what they're saying about The Alchemist's Portrait - Part Three

"In this fast paced enactment of the classical theme of good vs. evil, the settings are vivid in detail. The characters are believable and diverse..." 

University of Manitoba CM Magazine

"Author Simon Rose combines time travel with an exciting twist, and the power of magic. Well written and fast-paced this novel will keep the reader spellbound." 

The Bookmark

"Congratulations on a great read for kids." 

CanLit For Kids Books Ltd.

The Alchemist's Portrait is available at most online bookstores, which you can link to here. Autographed copies are also always available directly from the author.  

 

Great Reviews of The Alchemist's Portrait - Part Two

Here's what they're saying about The Alchemist's Portrait - Part Two

"The Alchemist's Portrait is guaranteed to keep junior readers in suspense. Its fast paced plot will keep them reading to the end. This is a good acquisition for any library or private collection and might well augment a classroom reading program. Those who study fantasy as a literary genre might well add The Alchemist's Portrait to their teaching repertoire."


Resource Links

"Harry Potter fans will find the story a satisfying remedy to their post-Phoenix blues."


The Calgary Herald 

The Alchemist's Portrait is available at most online bookstores, which you can link to here. Autographed copies are also always available directly from the author.  

 

Great Reviews of The Alchemist's Portrait - Part One

Here's what they're saying about The Alchemist's Portrait - Part One

"Complete with an evil villain, magic and suspense, Rose weaves a tale that will have young readers engaged right up until the very end."

BC Parent

"The Alchemist's Portrait is a delightful and charming read. The reader is not only quickly transported to the quiet echoing hall of the museum, but back in time to the height of the Northern European art scene of the 1600's. I absolutely loved this book! It is a definite contender for one of my favourite reads of 2003 for the 9 - 12 year old set!" 

Greenwoods' Bookshoppe, Edmonton

The Alchemist's Portrait is available at most online bookstores, which you can link to here. Autographed copies are also always available directly from the author.  

 

Writers Help and Advice: Coaching Program for Writers

Writing is by nature a solitary occupation and can be a lonely business, without the benefit of hordes of cheering fans on the sidelines. A professional writing coach is someone with whom you can consult, ask questions, send your work to and receive constructive feedback, a guide to help you with your writing as you try to build your career as a professional writer. A writing coach can help you conquer a stumbling block, help you to regain momentum and get back to your writing or make a start on a new project. 

My coaching program is designed to help you progress as a writer. You decide what you want to work on during a personalized, one on one relationship. For example, I can be your coach for just one month or we can establish a month-to-month arrangement, depending on your schedule and expectations. Just a few examples of topics we can cover during the coaching period are point of view, creating characters, developing dialogue, story structure, editing and revision, marketing and promotion and submissions to publishers. However, I am very flexible and happy to discuss your own unique requirements and areas where you feel that you may need the most help. 

In addition to coaching, on my website you can learn more about my other services for writers, such as online workshops for adults, manuscript evaluation and online workshops for children and young adults.

School Programs - Author in Residence

For my Author in Residence program, I can be at your school for a week or longer. This allows me to cover certain topics in much more depth than would be possible during a regular author visit. We can also look at working with the students on a specific project.

A week in residence can be designed however you would like, to best meet the needs of the students. Here's what a week could look like, based on a school where I spent five days working with students from grade one through seven. However, this is just an example and I am very flexible and happy to discuss your schools unique requirements with you.

K/1/2 Story Creation

This highly interactive presentation explores story structure relating to the creation of a well-defined beginning, middle and end. Using a series of seemingly unrelated objects, students participate in creating a story in what is always a lively and fun filled session. Although this exercise is done as a group, afterwards students are so enthusiastic that they want to create their own illustrations to go with the story and expand on the narrative that we have created together. In the weeks after my visit, some schools have added the children’s pictures to the story, as they create their own books and design covers for them. These have often been displayed in the classroom or sent home to parents.

Grade 3 Fantasy Realms and Creatures

In two sessions, we discuss the elements of fantasy and the many creatures and characters that inhabit the fantasy realm. In The Emerald Curse, the main villain has created monsters in his laboratory, combining some of the most fearsome creatures on earth. Most students are very familiar with monsters and strange creatures from mythology, books and movies and really enjoy the workshop where they get to invent their own unique mythological creature along with its powers, enemies, diet, habitat and the fantasy kingdom where it lives.

Grade 4 Superheroes

The Emerald Curse involves a young boy who is propelled into a strange comic book dimension, to save his grandfather, the world's greatest comic book artist and writer. The novel was influenced by the comic books and superhero adventure stories I read whilst growing up. In two sessions, we explore the superhero genre, before students create their own superhero, complete with costumes, powers, secret identity, headquarters, friends, family and one or more archenemies. They are also encouraged to draw their creation and some may even write a short story.

Grade 5/6/7 Time Travel, Historical Fiction and Writing Strategies

The Heretic's Tomb, The Sorcerer's Letterbox and The Alchemist's Portrait are time travel stories. These sessions look at where ideas come from and how writers turn them into stories. We examine how history has served as inspiration for authors and filmmakers and learn about the importance of historical research. Students will then invent their own time machine or device, paying attention to detail and to the need for authentic historical settings. We also explore how to write gripping fiction and cliffhanger endings.

Grade 8 The Shape of Things to Come

The events described in The Clone Conspiracy may be science fiction, but cloning has become very much science fact in recent years. These sessions examine how much technology has developed in the last one hundred years, how the pace of change has rapidly accelerated in recent decades and challenges students to contemplate what types of technology we may expect to see in the century to come.

Grade 9 People Plotting: Creating Memorable Characters

Without people there is no plot and characters are at the heart of any story. In these workshops, we explore where writers get ideas for the people in their stories, the many methods of creating strong characters and how to use descriptive language to build them. Students invent their own unique characters and also learn how to write effective and engaging dialogue for their creations.

The the above scenario is merely a guideline as to what a week in residence could look like and I am very happy to discuss your school’s unique requirements with you. Contact me directly for details of fees and availability for Author in Residence at info@simon-rose.com.

Great Reviews of the Clone Conspiracy - Part Three

Here's what they're saying about The Clone Conspiracy - Part Three

Here are just a few of the great comments from readers of The Clone Conspiracy.

"I thought it was AWESOME!"

"You have to read this! It's a must read. Seriously!"

"It's a real page turner."

"The Clone Conspiracy rules."

"I loved the book. Can't wait until you write your next story."

"I just finished the Clone Conspiracy, even though I just got it today. I couldn't put it down! It was great!"

"I really loved The Clone Conspiracy."

The Clone Conspiracy is available at most online bookstores which you can link to here. Autographed copies are also always available directly from the author.  

Great Reviews of The Clone Conspiracy - Part Two

Here's what they're saying about The Clone Conspiracy - Part Two

"... a must-read dedicated to unravelling the mystery surrounding human cloning, brain transplants and clandestine laboratories." 

The Calgary Herald

"... an exciting story, especially for reluctant boy readers." The Georgia Strait

"With all the news about genetic engineering currently in the media, this story will appeal to today's young readers ... The action is fast paced and scary enough to keep readers hanging on to every word."

Children’s Literature Review

The Clone Conspiracy is available at most online bookstores which you can link to here. Autographed copies are also always available directly from the author.  

Great Reviews of The Clone Conspiracy - Part One

Here's what they're saying about The Clone Conspiracy - Part One

"Smart kids outwit evil scientists in this mini-science fcition thriller dealing with clones, implanted embryos and personality downloads. As long as they realize this science IS fiction, kids can enjoy the fast paced action - each little chapter a real cliffhanger."
Victoria Times Colonist


"The Clone Conspiracy definitely finds its mark ... Rose has done a magnificent job with this fast paced medical science mystery."

Manitoba Library Association 

"This 88 page novel will appeal to boys who like a good mystery - with a twist!" 

CanLit for Kids

The Clone Conspiracy is available at most online bookstores which you can link to here. Autographed copies are also always available directly from the author.  

Online Writing Workshops for Children and Young Adults

With my Online Workshops for Children and Young Adults, through a series of e mail assignments, details of which are available here, 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.