Mark Shegelski

Today appeared the first reader review of my book! It was written by Ms. Debra L. Yendall. And a great review it is! Not only that it was a five out of five review, but it also tells you a lot about the book, and notes the “inventive” aspects of the stories. Here is part of the review. To see it all, click on Amazon.ca and scroll down the page.

Shegelski can take credit for pioneering a clever new style of science fiction. What if childhood monsters were part of your future and what if you were the One Who Chooses willing them into existence? His twists on remembering the future, travel to the past and future captivated my mind.

I had a unique and amazing experience the other night. I dreamed a new story, complete from beginning to end. The dream was so vivid it seemed as if it was actually real. I was on a new planet, attending a new school, and meeting the other students for the first time. Their behaviour was bizarre. It was only at the end of the dream/story that I understood why. The basic idea of the dream, and the unnatural state of the other people, are new ideas to me. When I awoke, I wrote down everything I could remember. Some of the events I dreamed were elusive upon waking up, yet I remember that they were fully believable in the dream.

What was the dream? I will tell you by writing the story. This will be a challenge because some of the key events in the dream have been lost to me. I will need to think about what those events were. Nevertheless, the basic elements of the story have been written down, and will launch me into writing.

This is the first time I have dreamed a story. I know of cases where other writers have dreamed complete stories. Now that this has happened to me, I am astounded that people can do this. Hopefully I can develop the story as fully as my dream. And with a chilling ending!

I’ve heard back now from several readers. Their kind comments have delighted me. Readers’ reactions to the stories have been just what I hoped for. Several people have echoed Robert J. Sawyer’s comment that the stories are “inventive.” For many people, this is the first science fiction book they have read, and they have remarked that they did not know science fiction stories could be so interesting. If you have read the book please consider posting a review on Amazon.ca and Amazon.com.

Two days after the Bridges reading, I was interviewed by Chris Walker on the CBC radio program, Daybreak North, 91.5FM. My thanks to Chris, Jenifer Norwell, and all of the Daybreak team. One of the most interesting questions Chris asked me was about my stories leaving the reader with things to think about when they’re over. This is indeed something I wanted my stories to do. What happens after the end of “The Quiet Room?” Does “The Entangled Man” ever go back into the extreme world he was exposed to when he was held captive? My stories do have satisfying endings. They also allow you the opportunity to think about things you otherwise might never have. Keep reading, and keep thinking!

Hours after returning to Prince George I was at UNBC taking part in the Bridges Festival of Art and Culture, and delivering my first reading. It went smoothly and I was asked interesting questions. For example: what do I do with a new idea? If it is new to me, I go where it takes me. What if the idea has been used before? If the idea is new to me, I go ahead with it. It has happened before that different people have used the same idea. For example, Anson MacDonald and Robert Heinlein wrote stories with very similar plots, and the same title, “By His Bootstraps,” yet the two stories have their own distinctiveness: read them both! They are delightful time travel stories.

Many thanks to Greg Halseth, Rob Budde, Jeremy Stewart, and Joanna Smyth for organizing the Bridges event. Thanks also to Janet Merrin for coordinating the book readings and Mardeanna Berg for facilitating book sales at UNBC, and all the people who attended the events, thus supporting the Arts in our community.

Days after Fredericton, I had a second signing in Calgary. Much like the first one, it came and went quickly, with books sold as rapidly as in my first signing. I met interesting people, some of whom I’ll keep in touch with. Thanks to Fraser Calderwood and the other managers, and plenty of friendly helpers for making this an enjoyable event!

In early June I gave my first book signing at Chapters in Fredericton. Minutes into the signings I was immersed in talking with people. Time flew by and the hours long signing was over before I knew it! I felt like John Meyers in my first story, “The Quiet Room.” Books were signed and sold at a dazzling pace. Many thanks to Managers Pamela Peddle, Terri Doucett, and Mike Murphy, and all the other fine people at Chapters in Fredericton.