Magic | Climate Catastrophe | Revolution
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Bio
I’m an activist, graphic designer, and for my sins, a high school teacher. Through magic dark as Vantablack, I have somehow conjured the time to write a book series, The Sleep of Reason. If you’re looking for more disaster wizards, check out my first novel, Cascade. I’m part of the Night Beats artist collective, so if you like my ideas, you can subscribe to my newsletter.
Writing
Cascade (The Sleep of Reason Book I), published by BumblePuppy Press.
In the wake of a worsening climate crisis, magic runs rampant and demons roam across the Canadian prairies. A long-dead god stirs in the Pacific Ocean, while the wilderness is choked by invasive, screaming grass.
The Cascade has shattered political stability, leaving a scandal-plagued government clinging to power in Ottawa. As catastrophe looms ahead, a precognitive rainman, Ian Mallory, stands between run-of-the-mill corruption and a nightmarish, dystopian future. It is up to a diverse and unlikely band of activists, scientists, journalists, and one underpaid, emoji-spell wielding intern to save their beleaguered country from its own worst impulses.
The Sad Bastard Cookbook: Food You Can Make So You Don’t Die (Night Beats Productions), with Zilla Novikov and illustrated by Marten Norr
Life is hard. Some days are at the absolute limit of what we can manage. Some days are worse than that. Eating—picking a meal, making it, putting it into your facehole—can feel like an insurmountable challenge. We wrote The Sad Bastard Cookbook to share our coping strategies.
Read 22 stories of the human, the alien, and the artificial—including my story, “solidAIrity.” Oh yes, and I also did the cover.
They may soon live among us: cyborgs, genetically-enhanced humans, interspecies hybrids, androids, artificial intelligences, aliens in disguise. These 22 stories explore what might come next.
Visions of Utopia in Culture + the State 4: Alternative Interventions
Design
I also design book covers. Here are a few of my favourite projects.
Available from the BumblePuppy Press.
Available from Silver Shell Publishing.
Rachel Rosen is one of those rare professionals who is personable, insightful, and incredibly skilled. Her knowledge of desktop publishing is impressive, extending from trending cover designs and ideas to eye-catching fonts and formats. Not only did Rachel steer my cover ideas to an age-appropriate market, she added zing to my book title through her suggestions. Rachel is easy to communicate with and provides constructive feedback. She meets all her dealings with integrity and generosity of spirit. Her eye for detail is second to none. If you can select your own desktop publisher (shout out to all those self-publisher’s out there), choose her. It’s a decision you will not regret.
Rebecca Reultan, Brisbane, Australia
Contact
Reach me at rachel.ash.rosen at gmail dot com for anything, at all hours. I don’t sleep, I only dream.