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The Crystal Key by Douglas Smith is Out Today!

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SF Canada member Douglas Smith has a new release today. The Crystal Key is the second book of The Dream Rider Saga series. Described as Indiana Jones meets Teen Titans in The Dream Rider Saga, a fast-paced urban fantasy trilogy from “one of Canada’s most original writers of speculative fiction” (Library Journal).

Will Dreycott is the Dream Rider, the agoraphobic teenage superhero who walks in our dreams but never in the streets of his city. Case is his girlfriend, a survivor of those streets haunted by voices that warn her of danger. Fader, her brother, is very good at disappearing. Together, they defeated a body swapper and a witch to save the world (The Hollow Boys).

In The Crystal Key, a trail of dark secrets leads Will, Case, and Fader to a hidden world. Trapped between warring cults willing to kill for a mysterious relic, the three friends must master strange new powers that grow stronger and wilder the closer they draw to the truth.

This time it’s not just the fate of the world at stake…but the multiverse.

You can purchase the book from various retailers. Click here for purchase links.

Praise for The Crystal Key:

“The engrossing second installment of Douglas Smith’s Dream Rider Saga trilogy. … Smith continues to demonstrate an ability to expertly weave multiple complex fantasy elements into a cohesive whole. … This fast-paced story delivers in a big way—and Smith has all his ducks lined up for an explosive conclusion [to the series] that readers won’t want to miss.”

—Blueink Review (★ Starred review)

Praise for The Hollow Boys (The Dream Rider Saga, Book 1):

“A must-read story for YA fantasy fans.” —Blueink Review (★ Starred review)

“Inventive, engaging, and boundless fun.” —The Ottawa Review of Books 

“Fast-paced and entertaining.” —SF Crowsnest 

“A fun supernatural tale with well-developed characters and a touch of romance.” —Kirkus Reviews

ABOUT DOUGLAS SMITH

Douglas Smith is a multi-award-winning author described by Library Journal as “one of Canada’s most original writers of speculative fiction.”

His latest work is the YA urban fantasy trilogy, The Dream Rider Saga (The Hollow Boys, The Crystal Key, and The Lost Expedition). His other books include the urban fantasy novel, The Wolf at the End of the World; the collections, Chimerascope and Impossibilia; and the writer’s guide Playing the Short Game: How to Market & Sell Short Fiction.

Published in 27 languages, Doug is a 3-time winner of Canada’s Aurora Award and has been a finalist for the Astounding Award, CBC’s Bookies Award, Canada’s juried Sunburst Award, and France’s juried Prix Masterton and Prix Bob Morane.

His website is https://smithwriter.com.

“The man is Sturgeon good. Zelazny good. I don’t give those up easy.” —Spider Robinson, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner

“A great storyteller with a gifted and individual voice.” —Charles de Lint, World Fantasy Award winner

“His stories are a treasure trove of riches that will touch your heart while making you think.” —Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner

“Stories you can’t forget, even years later.” —Julie Czerneda, multi-award-winning author and editor

 

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Cover reveal of Weekends Can Be Murder by Arlene Marks!

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SF Canada member Arlene Marks will have a novel out in November! Weekends Can Be Murder is a paranormal mystery set in a Victorian-era summer home built on an island in Georgian Bay.

When murder mystery theatre becomes too real for comfort…

Firefighter Larry Holmes needs some time away. Out of other options, he agrees to take his cousin’s place at a crime fiction convention. Larry doesn’t like mystery novels, but he can enjoy the host resort’s amenities and stay out of the way. That plan goes out the window, however, when he arrives at the venue with the convention’s organizer, Selena Watt, and the close-knit Crime Club decides that with Holmes and Watt present, the game must be afoot.

Arlene is the creator of the ongoing Sic Transit Terra space opera series, among other current and upcoming novels. Her short fiction has appeared in various publications, including H.P. Lovecraft’s Magazine of Horror, Polar Borealis, and Daily Science Fiction, and has most recently been gathered into a collection titled Imaginary Friends (May 2022, Brain Lag). Her website is thewritersnest.ca.

Preorder Weekends Can be Murder today!

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Michèle Laframboise makes a double splash in top SF magazines!

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SF Canada member Michèle Laframboise achieved a rare feat this month with simultaneous publications in both Asimov’s and Analog science fiction magazines.

Born in July, Michèle considers the double publication as a fine birthday gift, especially since her name is featured on Asimov’s cover.

Michèle’s two stories are :

Currently on sale in kiosks and specialized bookshops.

Michèle also currently has stories out in OnSpec 119 (Alberta-based) and NeoOpsis 33 (BC-based). She is also regularly featured in the French SF magazines Solaris in Québec and Galaxies in France.

Michèle Laframboise is a long distance runner (she ran the virtual Chilly Half in February) with more than 60 published works.

She enjoys working full time on her passions, writing and drawing comics. She just indie-published Maîtresse des vents, the first YA graphic novel to be published at her own imprint Échofictions.

Her SF is like chocolate… hard and crunchy. Echofictions also offers already-published stories that are no longer available, in both French and English.

Recently, Michèle has put out a collection « 5 Hard and Crunchy SF tales », a collection of cacao-rich science fiction stories.

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Science Critters

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Book Cover for Science Critters

Preorders are now available for Science Critters, a book of adorable Fiber Arts patterns by SF Canada member Paula Johanson! Johanson is an accomplished writer of both science fiction and science non-fiction, but her textile art creations are also a constant source of joy in her social media channels. Now aspiring creators will be able to make their own octopus, nudribanch and other science critters at home!

To pre-order your copy, please visit the book’s publisher, DoubleJoy Books.

two small crochet octopus creatures a small crochet nudibranch

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The Conjurors Series

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SF Canada member Jane Glatt is pleased to announce that the second book in The Conjurors series, The Shaman’s Son, will release on June 30th. The first book, The Bookbinder’s Daughter, came out at the end of January. The series is published by Tyche Books.

The Bookbinder’s Daughter (The Conjurers Book 1)

Faelin Keetley has kept secrets all her life: she can read, a skill that none but the Conjurers are allowed. And she has taken over bookbinding jobs from her father, when women on the Bridge are forbidden professions.

Her father’s death leaves Faelin with even more dangerous secrets. His last words were a spell, and all his life he’s been hiding a room full of hundreds of spellbooks.

Worse, his death leaves her to the mercies of the Conjurers and the traditions of the Bridge. Denied her livelihood and facing an arranged marriage or death, Fae takes an ancient family journal and escapes, determined to build a new life for herself.

But Fae’s secrets are catching up with her, and the Conjurers will do anything to discover them.

 

The Shaman’s Son (The Conjurers Book 2)

Aric Rawlings is the first man of the Riverman village in generations to inherit Shaman powers. Still trying to control his new gifts, Aric and his lover, Faelin, a true Conjurer, must work together to combat their new enemy, Burrage, another true Conjurer.

Burrage has the spell and the ability to complete the curse placed on the Rivermen. With the people of the Bridge turned against them, Aric and Faelin will have to save themselves and protect the Rivermen . . . no matter the cost to Aric.

Both titles are (or will be) available in print and ebook; find buying links on Jane’s site.

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New Release, Sage It Out

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SF Canada member Shereen Vedam is pleased to announce the release of her newest book, Sage It Out, a psychic mystery romance.

Police line, do not cross.

Rose Devlin is a fun friend with a good heart. Sage Tanton is her BFF with a psychic sense for trouble.

Protective of her family and friends, Rose is confident she can handle any situation without Sage’s supernatural intervention. But then the unthinkable happens. Rose’s action triggers one of Sage’s visions about a child in danger. And once again, her life is turned upside down.

Getting the police involved throws Rose an unexpected romantic curveball. So, she does what she does best – jumps in feet first and finds herself out of the proverbial herbal teapot and into the flames.

Liar, liar, pants on fire, Detective Nathan Bryant knows that gorgeous woman he just met is not only deceitful but could be entirely insane. Now he can’t stop lusting after her. Can a determined police detective help Rose achieve her long sought-after redemption or will they both retreat behind their yellow tape and lose out on love? Trust is a gift either has yet to give.

The book is currently on sale for pre-order at just $0.99 from Amazon.