Shadowzone

My guest today is Calgary author Simon Rose, who has published fourteen novels for children and young adults, seven guides for writers, almost 100 nonfiction books, and many articles on a wide variety of topics. Earlier this year he released Twisted Fate, the second installment of the paranormal Flashback series. Today, we’re looking at his latest release, the Shadowzone series.

So what’s the Shadowzone series all about?

The series involves the discovery of a grim dystopian version of Earth that’s ruled by a totalitarian dictatorship, the threat of a deadly virus, and a race against time to save the lives of millions. Without giving too much away, here’s a synopsis for each of the novels.

Shadowzone 

While watching intense flashes of lightning during a violent storm, Ben experiences mysterious and disturbing visions of another world, one very different from his own. In the chain of events that follow, Ben encounters Charlie, a girl from a dark version of Earth, a planet doomed by the effects of environmental catastrophe, where the leaders will stop at nothing to complete their deadly mission. 

   

Into The Web 

On a doomed version of Earth, the sinister schemes of the Ministry are moving ever closer to completion, with dire consequences for the inhabitants of two worlds. For Ben and Charlie, an unlikely alliance, unexpected reunions, and the mysterious prophecy of the Chosen One offer a glimmer of hope, with the ever-present prospect of betrayal, as they embark on an unpredictable journey into the unknown. 

Black Dawn 

In a dark parallel world, following attacks by its most determined opponents, the Ministry has been forced to change its plans. Yet the ruthless Director-General is prepared to sacrifice anyone to achieve an entirely new beginning, no matter what the cost. In a deadly race against time, as events spiral out of control, Ben and Charlie must risk their lives in a desperate attempt to save two worlds from destruction. 

What inspired you to write these three books? What’s the story behind the story?

The original idea was about someone capturing mysterious images on a video camera of a person that no one else could see. It was around the time that a local hospital was about to be demolished. I imagined that my character was filming the event and captured the image of the person stepping seemingly unharmed from the rubble as the building came down. The idea of capturing unexplained images on film was something that I’ve continued working on and it also inspired me to write The Time Camera, which was published in 2011.

For a while, that’s all I had and it was one of those ideas that I was never sure would come to anything. It was early in my writing career and I put it aside and worked on other stories, but I’d periodically add another element to the story about the camera and the mysterious individual. At one point, I decided that the person that the boy caught on film wasn’t a ghost but from another dimension or perhaps a parallel universe and they were attempting to contact him for some reason. I then began to add details of this other Earth and the reasons for the connection to our world, and it went from there. An initial concept involving kidnappings from hospitals didn’t quite work, so instead I developed the idea of a deadly virus, which was a good fit with the type of government running the other Earth. Once that was all in place, I was able to get to work.

Was it always going to be a series?

Shadowzone was originally only one novel, but once I’d finished it I immediately realized that the story wasn’t over and that I need to write more. The final installment was written very quickly and in the process I knew that I needed to expand the earlier sections too, so in the end I had a trilogy.

 So of course, people need to read all three :)

You could certainly just read Shadowzone, but there’s a cliffhanger ending and hopefully most people will feel utterly compelled to be read on and learn what happens next. Into The Web and Black Dawn also don’t make sense if you haven’t read the first book in the series. Taken together, it’s an exciting, fast paced adventure that I hope everyone will really enjoy.

So it’s a good idea for authors to write a series of books?

It can be, but only if you have enough material for multiple books. If readers are sufficiently interested in the story and the characters after completing the first installment, they’d usually like to read more. However, the story or theme has to be strong enough to warrant more adventures. It’s important to remember that the reader won’t appreciate any novel that’s overloaded with filler, just for the sake of creating a series, and might easily avoid any books by the same author in the future.

So where can people buy all three books in the Shadowzone series?

The books can be purchased at most of the usual places, as follows:

Shadowzone

Ebook: Amazon Canada, Amazon USA, Kobo, iBooks, and Smashwords

Paperback: Amazon, Createspace

Into The Web

Ebook: Amazon Canada, Amazon USA, Kobo, iBooks, and Smashwords

Paperback:

Amazon, Createspace

Black Dawn

Ebook: Amazon Canada, Amazon USA, Kobo, iBooks, and Smashwords
Paperback: Amazon, Createspace

You published these yourself, whereas most of your earlier work was traditionally published, correct?

The first eight novels were published by Tradewind Books, while Flashback, Future Imperfect, and Twisted Fate were published by Tyche Books, but my seven books featuring tips and advice for writers were self-published as paperbacks and as ebooks.  I hadn’t self-published fiction before and thought it was time that I did. The Shadowzone books were finished and I believed that they were as good, if not better, than my other work. I also asked some people read them to confirm this and then decided to go ahead with publication. A lot of traditionally published authors also self publish as well now, so it’s quite common practice these days. 

Will you self publish again in the future?

Yes, I think so. The third part of the Flashback series will be published by Tyche Books next spring, but I do have several other projects that I’ll most likely publish myself as well soon. 

What are you currently working on?

I always have a current project or two and right now I’m working on a historical fiction novel for young adults set in the turbulent era of the English Civil War in the 1640s. The novel’s about half finished, but I still have a lot of work to do. I’m also working on sequels to Future Imperfect and The Sphere of Septimus.

Are your other books in this similar dystopian genre?

No, although my novels are all in the science fiction and fantasy genre. The Sorcerer’s Letterbox and The Heretic’s Tomb are historical fiction adventures set in medieval England, The Alchemist’s Portrait is a time travel story, The Emerald Curse is all about superheroes and comic books, The Doomsday Mask is all about the legend of Atlantis, and The Sphere of Septimus involves the characters traveling into another world and is in the same vein as the Harry Potter series, The Chronicles of Narnia, or Lord of the Rings. Future Imperfect is a technology-driven story featuring mysterious messages from the future, and Flashback and Twisted Fate are in the paranormal genre. I’ve also written nonfiction guides for writers, including The Children’s Writer's Guide and The Time Traveler’s Guide.

You also work with other authors, don’t you?

Yes, I do quite a lot of that these days. I’ve edited books in all kinds of genres for a wide range of writers in the last few years, offering both substantive and copy editing. I also work as a writing coach and consultant for people with works in progress or those that are struggling with writer’s block. You can learn more about some of the projects I’ve worked on that have subsequently been published are here on my website. I also offer online courses for adults and workshops on a variety of themes for aspiring young writers.

Thanks Simon, for being my guest here today and the very best of luck with the Shadowzone series. I hope the books sell thousands of copies in the coming weeks and months.

You can learn more about Simon and his work on his website at www.simon-rose.com or online at the following social media sites:

·      Facebook

·      Twitter

·      LinkedIn

·      YouTube

·      Google +

·      Pinterest

Twisted Fate

My guest today is Simon Rose, author of many novels and nonfiction books for children and young adults. His latest novel, Twisted Fate, has just been released.

So another new book, that’s very exciting. So what’s this one all about?

Twisted Fate is the second part of the paranormal Flashback trilogy. The first instalment, entitled Flashback, was published in 2015. The novel features ghosts, psychics, and Project Mindstorm, a secret operation involving deadly mind control experiments, as Max investigates events concealed for over twenty years.

 

Twisted Fate begins around the time of Max’s fifteenth birthday when he receives a box of personal items that once belonged to his mother and soon begins to have strange dreams and experience disturbing visions. Max steadily learns the shocking truth about his mother and her possible connection to Project Mindstorm. Max also meets Julia, a girl with dark hidden secrets, as he attempts to alter his mother’s fate and his own, for better or worse. He and Julia embark on a seemingly impossible mission involving deadly psychics, paranormal phenomena, and multiple shifting timelines. On the run and pursued at every turn by the powerful and ruthless Kane, Max and Julia engage in a desperate race against time in an attempt to save countless lives and transform their own destiny.

Did you plan at the outset that the books would form a paranormal trilogy?

Flashback was originally a single novel but more or less as soon as it was published I realized that there was more to the story. My father also read Flashback and asked when the next one was coming out. I thought that he was referring to my next novel but he meant the next paranormal adventure and pointed out several areas in Flashback where there were opportunities for more stories. There were also some unanswered questions so I got to work on a further installment. While writing part two I knew that there was a third story and had an idea for a novel involving parallel universe that I realized would be a perfect fit to wrap up Max’s adventures. The third part of the trilogy, entitled Parallel Destiny, will be published early next year.

Is it a good idea for authors to write a series of books?

It can be, as long as you have enough material. If the reader is interested enough in the characters and the story they’d often like to read more. However, the story or theme has to be strong enough to warrant more adventures and the reader will not appreciate a novel that’s overloaded with filler, just for the sake of creating a series.

From the author’s point of view, readers are more likely to buy more books if a series is available and they enjoyed the first installment. Flashback was been very well received so hopefully the other two books will be equally popular with readers.

Do you always write in the paranormal genre?

Flashback and Twisted Fate are in the paranormal genre, but the other novels are all in the science fiction and fantasy genre. The Sorcerer’s Letterbox and The Heretic’s Tomb are historical fiction adventures set in medieval England, The Alchemist’s Portrait is a time travel story, The Emerald Curse is all about superheroes and comic books, The Doomsday Mask is all about the legend of Atlantis, and The Sphere of Septimus involves the characters traveling into another world and is in the same vein as the Harry Potter series, The Chronicles of Narnia, or Lord of the Rings. Future Imperfect is a technology-driven story featuring mysterious messages from the future.

Although most authors are usually known for writing in a particular genre, some occasionally decide to write something a little different, if only to test the waters. I’ve written seven nonfiction guides for writers, including The Children’s Writer's Guide and The Time Traveler’s Guide, but also recently published a romantic comedy under a pseudonym. While very different to all my previous work and certainly not for a young audience, writing When Sally Met Sally was an interesting exercise. Whether I’ll be creating more novels like this remains to be seen. We’ll have to see if the novel continues to sell.

You also work with other authors, don’t you?

Yes, I do quite a lot of that these days. I’ve edited books in all kinds of genres for a wide range of writers in the last few years, offering both substantive and copy editing. I also work as a writing coach and consultant for people with works in progress or those that are struggling with writer’s block. Some of the projects I’ve worked on that have subsequently been published are here on my website. I also offer online courses for adults and ones on a variety of themes for aspiring young writers.

What are you currently working on?

I’m always working on something but currently I’m putting the finishing touches to a dystopian parallel universe novel that I hope will be published later this year. I’m also working on a historical fiction novel set in the turbulent era of the English Civil War in the 1640s. Both these novels are for young adults.

Where can a reader purchase your book?

Twisted Fate is available in paperback and as an ebook worldwide on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iBooks, Indigo/Chapters in Canada, and at many other locations online. Your local bookstore should also be able to order a copy.

You can learn more about Simon and his work on his website at www.simon-rose.com or online at the following social media sites:

·      Facebook

·      Twitter

·      LinkedIn

·      YouTube

·      Google +

·      Pinterest

Finding Your Own Voice

I like to moonlight as editor of the SCBWI Metro NY Chapter Blog. We wrapped up our season with Nova Ren Suma speaking on Finding Your Own Unique voice. I was the writer on this one.

  To check out other articles and events go to: SCBWI Metro NY Chapter

Award-winning YA author and writing instructor Nova Ren Suma spoke about voice at the final SCBWI Tuesday night professional series lecture of the season in June 2015. She emphasized three important tasks for writers: finding your own unique voice, taking risks, and being true to yourself.

The journey of being a writer is not an easy one. Suma explained how voice is deeply connected to that journey and often develops from hitting a low point, such as failing to find an agent or publisher or feeling your career has stalled.

She described a low point in her own career when she doubted her place in the YA publishing world. She no longer felt connected to her readers or her publisher. So in her next book, 17 and Gone, she tried to please everyone. This only created a feeling of more distance and she began to question everything.

“Should I take a break and write something else?” she asked. She was advised, “Embrace what is going on in YA right now, and write more commercial books.”

“Is this the way to carve out my place in the industry?” Suma wondered. “Should I actually try to be more commercial?”

After much soul-searching, Suma decided instead to write one last book that was all her own. She put together what she calls “a weird book proposal” doing exactly the opposite of all the advice.

“I wrote just for me,” she said. “I am weird, so I write weird!”

She left the large house she had been working with and submitted the proposal to smaller publishers. It was picked up by Algonquin House at a new literary imprint. So, Suma was starting over with a new house, a new editor, and a smaller advance.

She very quickly saw she had made the right choice. “I received wonderful support from the publisher, went to conferences, and got good responses to the book, including seven starred reviews and a review in the NY Times.” The Walls Around Us became the most successful book of her career to date.

Suma had spent many years ghostwriting middle grade books, chapter books, and media tie-ins. The Walls Around Us was the first book that was completely hers. However, she did learn a lot from writing other people’s characters, and working with editors, so that experience was not wasted.

So how does a writer stay true to her own voice? Suma suggests, “Look for a spark, make the reader connect. Use specific details to bring a place to life.”

In her writing workshops, she tells her students, “Take risks, let pieces of you filter into the story. Push yourself until the story deeply connects with you. If this was the last book you were going to write, what would you want to put in it?”

Her “impractical” advice to all writers: “Don’t worry about becoming the next John Greene or writing the next Hunger Games. Instead, be the first, unapologetic, original version of you.”

The Adventurers Troll Creek Reading by the Fire

Diversity Panel at SCBWI Metro NY

I often moonlight as an editor for the SCBWI Metro NY Chapter Blog. This panel on diversity in children's books caught my eye. Here is the article by Adria Quiñones.

This article is reposted from SCBWI Metro NY Chapter Blog

The last year has seen heightened awareness and active discussion about the importance of providing diverse books for children. Inspired by the recent Children’s Book Center report on the lack of diversity among writers of children’s books and the rise of the We Need Diverse Books campaign, in February SCBWI offered a panel discussion about diversity with six professionals: authors Matt De La Peña and Rebecca Alexander, illustrator Eric Velasquez, publisher Stacy Whitman (Tu Books, a middle grade and YA genre fiction imprint at Lee & Low) and editor T.S. Ferguson (Harlequin Teen), moderated by Metro-NY Co-Regional Adviser Bridget Casey.

The panelists had similar visions of what diversity means. For illustrator Velasquez, diversity is “not just inclusion;” it’s about making a minority character the hero instead of the sidekick. Harlequin editor Ferguson noted that, “Everyone should have an equal voice. The loudest voice in the room shouldn’t be that of a white man.” Author De La Peña described a scene where, “We’ll read a description of someone walking into a coffee shop where there are three guys and a Mexican girl–she’s not just a girl, she’s marked [by being described as Mexican]. Diversity is focusing on the marked character.”

Velasquez continued, “We’re race-obsessed, but maybe we should be story-obsessed.” What kinds of stories should we try to tell? De la Peña suggested that diverse characters should be “in books for everyone, in stories that have nothing to do with diversity.” And what about trying to tell someone else’s story? Moderator Casey quoted Kwame Alexander’s session on diversity at the recent SCBWI Midwinter Conference, where he encouraged his audience to do their research and be respectful. Harlequin editor Ferguson advised the audience to “be open to criticism. Be willing to make changes.” Illustrator Velasquez was equally blunt: “Go out and meet somebody and have a conversation.” Rebecca Alexander, who writes about her experiences with disability, suggested authors write with eyes covered or ears blocked to gain empathy towards what it might be like to be blind or deaf.

The panelists agreed that to bring diversity to children’s literature, writers, illustrators and purchasers of children’s books have to take action. We must write, draw and buy books about characters who are diverse across all of the elements that make up the diversity spectrum. Tu Books publisher Whitman noted “11 axes of diversity,” including ethnicity, socio-economic stratum, gender identification, sexual orientation, beliefs and abilities. She suggested people not only buy diverse books but demand them when we can’t find them. “Take a list of books that you want to buy to your independent bookstore,” Whitman urged. “And if they don’t have them, ask them to order them for you.”

Several panelists mentioned the need to fight the belief that diverse books are only of interest to people of a particular subgroup. “When I published my book,” Alexander explained, “I would find it only in the Disabilities/Special Needs section of the bookstore, back in a corner behind a pillar. But able-bodied people also found themselves in my book.” Author De La Peña agreed. “It’s common for librarians to say, ‘We don’t need your book because we don’t have any students like that at our school.’ To which a writer-friend of mine responds, ‘Really? How many wizards do you have at your school?'”

Diverse books provide kids with a mirror, panelists agreed, but also with a window that shows how other people think and feel. As writers and illustrators, we should look to offer both.

For more resources, visit:
We Need Diverse Books Campaign: http://weneeddiversebooks.org/
Children’s Book Council’s Diversity Blog: http://www.cbcdiversity.com/
School Library Journal on “Embracing Diversity in YA”: http://www.slj.com/2013/09/teens-ya/embracing-diversity-in-ya-lit/
The Show Me Librarian’s post, “Selection is Privilege”: http://showmelibrarian.blogspot.com/2015/02/selection-is-privilege.html

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Adria Quiñones is a winner of SCBWI’s 2014 Emerging Voices award for her middle-grade novel, “The Disappeared.” Visit her at http://adriaq.com.