Local writers share novel dreams

New youth books launched in Muskoka ready for larger audience

ACTION-PACKED ADVENTURE. Muskoka authors Bryan Dearsley, left, and Andrew Wagner-Chazalon hold their recently released youth adventure novels. Look for the books at local bookstores and other area stores in the coming weeks. Photo by Bev McMullen

THE MUSKOKAN — Two new novels penned by local authors are receiving Muskoka-wide launches this summer prior to wider releases later in the year.
The writers — Bryan Dearsley from Gravenhurst, and Bracebridge’s Andrew Wagner-Chazalon — share a great deal in common aside from their love of writing. Wagner-Chazalon is the editor of this newspaper, among other Metroland publications, while Dearsley began his writing career with the same newspaper almost 20 years ago before moving on to a position as associate editor of CARPNews FiftyPlus (now Zoomer magazine).
And the connection doesn’t end there. Both books — Wagner-Chazalon’s Frontlines and Dearsley’s The Beast of Wildeor — are being launched simultaneously by Walden House (Books & Stuff), a new Muskoka-based publishing company. They even share the same proofreader and editor, Susan Pryke. Both writers placed Pryke, a former Muskokan editor and long-term Muskoka Lakes mayor, at the top of their list of desired editors despite the fact she’s now living in Australia.
Despite the shared backgrounds, the two only really connected through their fiction works.
“We knew each other in passing through our magazine careers,” said Wagner-Chazalon, “but once we learned we were both writing kids’ novels, we started talking and sharing the journey, encouraging one another to see it through to the end.”
This is Wagner-Chazalon’s fifth book, but his first work of fiction (his fourth book, The Hidden World of Huckleberry Rock, was just released last fall).
Now that their books are in print, both writers agree that the real journey has only just begun.
“It’s exciting to realize just how broad the audience is for fiction as compared to a non-fiction book,” said Wagner-Chazalon. “We’re not just writing for people in Muskoka.”
“We’re very ambitious regarding our expectations for the books,” agreed Dearsley. “They’re both fast-paced adventure stories with plenty of action. We’ve already shared them with readers of all ages at schools, reading groups and the like, and the one common thread is that everyone says they’d make for fantastic movies.”
While Hollywood may be a little way down the road, it’s certainly not beyond the realms of possibility. Walden House’s publisher, Brenda Paterson, is already working hard to get the books in front of larger publishers and media companies capable of handling a North America-wide distribution.
“They’re as well written and as exciting as anything you’ll find on the bestseller lists,” said Paterson. “Both these guys have been writing professionally for years, so it was only a matter of time before they turned their hands to novels. I’m just so thrilled that they’ve both agreed to try a different approach to the traditional publishing model. We wanted to get the books out first, building upon their local credibility, and use that as leverage in order to share their stories with a much bigger audience.”
If early feedback is anything to go by, the two writers are on the right track. Wagner-Chazalon’s Frontlines — a story about a 12-year-old boy who finds two pens that allow him to control the lives of characters in a parallel universe — has been described by iconic Canadian writer Roy MacGregor (author of The Screech Owls Mystery series for young readers) as “a magnificent invention, and one that works time brilliantly... truly a remarkable achievement.”
As for Dearsley’s The Beast of Wildeor — a fast-paced historical fantasy adventure that kicks off aboard the RMS Segwun with 14-year-old stoker Alex Mortimer — a second print run is already underway due to initial advance sales at area retailers, schools and reading events.
Both writers will be busy this summer promoting their books at a variety of events and retail locations across Muskoka.
Wagner-Chazalon’s official book launch party will take place Sunday July 8 at the Muskoka Bay Club in Gravenhurst from 1 to 4 p.m. The event is a drop-in affair, and all are welcome. Entertainment will be provided by Bala, a hot new “cottage soul” band.
Dearsley will be available for signings at Muskoka Wharf as part of the RMS Segwun’s birthday celebrations June 29 and 30, and again at Robinson’s General Store in Dorset on Canada Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A final summer book bash, with other area writers invited, will be held at Touchstone resort in Bracebridge in August.
“Everyone’s welcome,” added Paterson. “The books are great for kids of all ages, even adults, so we hope everyone will join us as we set these two Muskoka lads off on the next exciting leg of their own great adventure.”

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