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!
Trapped in the Enchanted Library
Trapped in the Enchanted Library
A Choose Your Own Adventure!
by Emma Yan and Katelynn Yip
When a fun, family vacation goes wrong, you end up diving into an array of spectacular, multi genre worlds with your fierce, ghost hound companion, tasked with retrieving the keys leading to not only yours, but others’ freedom and happiness as well…. All while facing the mighty wizard who lurks between the shelves of this enchanted library. In this magical world, YOU are the main character. YOU will choose how to fabricate your own path. YOU are the one destined to decide the fate of this world. With that said, how will YOU choose your own adventure?
A Choose Your Own Adventure!
by Emma Yan and Katelynn Yip
When a fun, family vacation goes wrong, you end up diving into an array of spectacular, multi genre worlds with your fierce, ghost hound companion, tasked with retrieving the keys leading to not only yours, but others’ freedom and happiness as well…. All while facing the mighty wizard who lurks between the shelves of this enchanted library. In this magical world, YOU are the main character. YOU will choose how to fabricate your own path. YOU are the one destined to decide the fate of this world. With that said, how will YOU choose your own adventure?
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)
Reality Is Optional Optional Guide to Reality (and writing) by the RIOites
Want to improve your craft? This by kids, for kids book on writing is highly entertaining and includes a novella containing the strangest characters you've ever seen. Coming Fall 2024! Want to know more? |
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Other Publications
Novels and Poetry
Peter Katsnelson
This is Fine
EVERYTHING IS FINE.
Except for, you know, everything. This collection of poetry explores the relationship between denial and vulnerability through an even balance of comedic and heartfelt poetry. Through 21 long-form poems, multiple metaphors revolving around bread, a few made-up words, and a passionate hatred of the Transformers franchise, Peter Katsnelson paints the picture of someone learning how to let go of denial in this compelling mix of emotions, humour, and personal expression.
Praise for This Is Fine
The cutest little sad face I’ve ever seen!
I randomly opened a page and read tumblr search: ‘teenage deep poetry’ I laughed a few times throughout! I’m super excited to write the first review especially since I don’t write reviews and I don’t really like poems but I saw a post on Reddit saying a 15 year old kid published a book so I HAD to support him. I may buy another copy as a gift. I LOVE books and this one makes me happy just looking at it. I’m going to read the rest of the poems now. I’m proud of you Peter! - from a Reddit user near Chicago
This is Fine
EVERYTHING IS FINE.
Except for, you know, everything. This collection of poetry explores the relationship between denial and vulnerability through an even balance of comedic and heartfelt poetry. Through 21 long-form poems, multiple metaphors revolving around bread, a few made-up words, and a passionate hatred of the Transformers franchise, Peter Katsnelson paints the picture of someone learning how to let go of denial in this compelling mix of emotions, humour, and personal expression.
Praise for This Is Fine
The cutest little sad face I’ve ever seen!
I randomly opened a page and read tumblr search: ‘teenage deep poetry’ I laughed a few times throughout! I’m super excited to write the first review especially since I don’t write reviews and I don’t really like poems but I saw a post on Reddit saying a 15 year old kid published a book so I HAD to support him. I may buy another copy as a gift. I LOVE books and this one makes me happy just looking at it. I’m going to read the rest of the poems now. I’m proud of you Peter! - from a Reddit user near Chicago
Sydney Ball
The Girl Who's Learning to Drive: A Collection of Poetry
This collection is a response to the question posed in my first book: I’ve identified my points of weakness, what now? How do I grow from these unfair circumstances? How do I learn to breathe? ‘The Girl Who’s Learning to Drive’ is a continuation of my attempts to become an active participant in my life; to stop everyday passivism in its tracks. This is a story of a girl learning to sit in the driver’s seat of her existence. This is me on a page.
"I'm the conscience you didn't ask for.
I'm nails on a chalkboard.
You were wrong,
because the ditch is better than the loophole.
I don't want to have to pretend that I know how to drive."
-From The Girl Who's Learning to Drive
The Girl Who's Learning to Drive: A Collection of Poetry
This collection is a response to the question posed in my first book: I’ve identified my points of weakness, what now? How do I grow from these unfair circumstances? How do I learn to breathe? ‘The Girl Who’s Learning to Drive’ is a continuation of my attempts to become an active participant in my life; to stop everyday passivism in its tracks. This is a story of a girl learning to sit in the driver’s seat of her existence. This is me on a page.
"I'm the conscience you didn't ask for.
I'm nails on a chalkboard.
You were wrong,
because the ditch is better than the loophole.
I don't want to have to pretend that I know how to drive."
-From The Girl Who's Learning to Drive
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 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.
Kim Firmston
Click on the novel to learn more about it.
Click on the novel to learn more about it.
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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)
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Comics
Sebastien Ringuette
Click on the comic to learn more about it.
Click on the comic to learn more about it.
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