Welcome to the
RIO Bookshop!
All books are by our members and instructors. Look around and buy something.
They are all great!
They are all great!
Reality Is Optional Publishing
Did you know we have our own print on demand press? We are always working on projects so keep an eye out for new stuff to buy!
The Lost Dreams and
Magic of Kosmos

The Lost Dreams and Magic of Kosmos by Naneh Asatryan, Oliver Patrick Chow, Emma Jade Yan, Amelia Zhenyan Zhao
The realm of Kosmos is made up of four distinct lands and dozens of races. This realm is a pretty peaceful place until the magic and dreams of Kosmos rapidly disappear, leaving all with paralyzing nightmares. A young forest elf, a genius dwarf, a fierce and gruff soldier, and a wise but jumpy marsh elf.must put aside their differences by joining together not only to save their own dreams but to also save the dreams and magic of the whole realm.
**FUN FACT** this book was written collectively as part of a 5 day summer camp. No tears were shed and no one punched anyone else. Pretty good for a group project, eh?
The realm of Kosmos is made up of four distinct lands and dozens of races. This realm is a pretty peaceful place until the magic and dreams of Kosmos rapidly disappear, leaving all with paralyzing nightmares. A young forest elf, a genius dwarf, a fierce and gruff soldier, and a wise but jumpy marsh elf.must put aside their differences by joining together not only to save their own dreams but to also save the dreams and magic of the whole realm.
**FUN FACT** this book was written collectively as part of a 5 day summer camp. No tears were shed and no one punched anyone else. Pretty good for a group project, eh?
Tales of Underdown
A Collection of Short Stories

Tales of Underdown - A Collection of Short Stories by Cipher Hulsker, Sydney Ball, Ayden Eyamie, Becca Kozbial, Daniel Chen, Maddy Eadie, Katelynn Yip, and edited by Kim Firmston and Sydney Ball
Welcome to Underdown! Discover the fantasy land under the floating island of Australia. Whether you arrived from a quest, a magical portal, or complete accident, we welcome you. Here, we have strange creatures and events that most would find impossible, but in Underdown, it is incredibly common. Through a collection of short stories, you’ll get to experience the everyday occurrences of folks like you, while they work against the corrupt wizards. Only time will tell what you discover as you journey through the land under the down under. You’re an Underdowner now!
***Fun fact*** this short story anthology, was created by the Reality Is Optional summer camp - Writing Adventures, where these 7 kids decided to challenge themselves to write a book in 5 days! Here it is from conception to publishing, proving yet again that the RIO kids can do anything!
Welcome to Underdown! Discover the fantasy land under the floating island of Australia. Whether you arrived from a quest, a magical portal, or complete accident, we welcome you. Here, we have strange creatures and events that most would find impossible, but in Underdown, it is incredibly common. Through a collection of short stories, you’ll get to experience the everyday occurrences of folks like you, while they work against the corrupt wizards. Only time will tell what you discover as you journey through the land under the down under. You’re an Underdowner now!
***Fun fact*** this short story anthology, was created by the Reality Is Optional summer camp - Writing Adventures, where these 7 kids decided to challenge themselves to write a book in 5 days! Here it is from conception to publishing, proving yet again that the RIO kids can do anything!
Reality Is Optional Optional Guide To Reality
(and writing)
Other Publications
Novels and Poetry

Sydney Ball
The Girl Who Knows Birds - A Collection of Poetry
Life is not meant to stand still. It is an earthquake of possibility, an explosion of imperfect humanization. ‘The Girl Who Knows the Birds’ is a story of grappling to regain power from the unfair circumstances of what is life. This is a tale of self-discovery, an attempt to become a more active participant in who I am. This is a stab at my goal to stop everyday passivism in its tracks. This is my life on a page.
Praise for The Girl Who Knows the Birds:
"This is Word-Tumbling!"
-Wakefield Brewster, Calgary Poet Laureate 2022
"Sharp, timely, and empowering..."
-Em Williamson, Can You Hear Me Now 2015 Poetry Slam Best Individual Poet
The Girl Who Knows Birds - A Collection of Poetry
Life is not meant to stand still. It is an earthquake of possibility, an explosion of imperfect humanization. ‘The Girl Who Knows the Birds’ is a story of grappling to regain power from the unfair circumstances of what is life. This is a tale of self-discovery, an attempt to become a more active participant in who I am. This is a stab at my goal to stop everyday passivism in its tracks. This is my life on a page.
Praise for The Girl Who Knows the Birds:
"This is Word-Tumbling!"
-Wakefield Brewster, Calgary Poet Laureate 2022
"Sharp, timely, and empowering..."
-Em Williamson, Can You Hear Me Now 2015 Poetry Slam Best Individual Poet
Willa Holmes

The Isle of Rebels
The aim of the Offshore Youth Rehabilitation Facility is simple- to send all teen criminals, regardless of their offence, to a faraway isle where they and their deeds are put out of sight, out of mind. It is commonly known as the Isle of Rebels, and it serves to instil fear in the hearts of young offenders and ‘put youth in their place.’
At least, that’s what everyone is led to believe.
Emry McLeod, Lizabeth Merrin, Jakson Veer, and Cerina Rayz all come from very different backgrounds, lives, and brands of trouble. When their paths converge on the dangerous prison island, they set out to reclaim their freedom. However, they soon realise there’s no escape if there’s nowhere to run. To rise up against the unfair society that binds them, they are going to have to do much more than break their bonds- they’re going to have to rewrite the world completely, discovering themselves and learning what’s worth fighting for in the process.
The aim of the Offshore Youth Rehabilitation Facility is simple- to send all teen criminals, regardless of their offence, to a faraway isle where they and their deeds are put out of sight, out of mind. It is commonly known as the Isle of Rebels, and it serves to instil fear in the hearts of young offenders and ‘put youth in their place.’
At least, that’s what everyone is led to believe.
Emry McLeod, Lizabeth Merrin, Jakson Veer, and Cerina Rayz all come from very different backgrounds, lives, and brands of trouble. When their paths converge on the dangerous prison island, they set out to reclaim their freedom. However, they soon realise there’s no escape if there’s nowhere to run. To rise up against the unfair society that binds them, they are going to have to do much more than break their bonds- they’re going to have to rewrite the world completely, discovering themselves and learning what’s worth fighting for in the process.
Kim Firmston
Click on the novel to learn more about it.
Click on the novel to learn more about it.
Sebastien Ringuette
Regicide on the 51st Floor & A Tale of Twobears - Aversion Bureau Novel 2-Pack
A 2-Pack PDF collection of both Aversion Bureau novels, written by S.R. Ringuette & based on the web comic series of the same name!
A 2-Pack PDF collection of both Aversion Bureau novels, written by S.R. Ringuette & based on the web comic series of the same name!
Anthologies

Kaslyn Chan published by Polar Expressions
A Collection of Poems and Short Stories Written by Young Canadians (15 and under)
A Collection of Poems and Short Stories Written by Young Canadians (15 and under)
Sabina Ault published by Polar Expressions
A Collection of Poems and Short Stories Written by Young Canadians (15 and under)
A Collection of Poems and Short Stories Written by Young Canadians (15 and under)
Comics
Sebastien Ringuette
Click on the comic to learn more about it.
Click on the comic to learn more about it.