JOSHUA ALLAN
The 1510 West
Life-long West Islander Daniel Todd-Norris often dreamed of one day writing his own fantasy novel during his 17 years working at the Kirkland Provigo, where he started as a grocery bagger at the age of 19, working his way up to a managerial position.
So it was a thrill for him to return to the store recently to host a book signing following the launch of his first book – Alaric Thorne and the Soulforge Amulet.
“It was a bit surreal, to be honest,” said Todd-Norris, who had worked in various departments at the Provigo from 2006 to 2023. “It wasn’t just a great reception from all my co-workers and friends, but just the general public. It was a really surreal and touching moment for me.”
The book signing was held May 31 and again on June 1.
Launched in November, Todd-Norris’s fantasy novel delves into a fantasy world of dragons, magic and adventure. Published by FriesenPress, the 396-page work is available on Amazon and at Indigo-Chapters.
Growing up in Beaconsfield, Todd-Norris had spent much of his childhood absorbed in fantasy novels. He credits the series The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini as cementing his love for the genre.
“I’d always wanted to try and do what (Paolini) did,” the 38-year-old explained. “I would always think (that) one day I’d like to write my own story, my own novella, to be able to do something that’s similar to what he had already done for me.”
Now living in Pierrefonds, Todd-Norris explained that writing had been a hobby of his for several years. He would jot down ideas for chapters, characters and stories “but nothing really clicked.”
“That was until the year 2020, when the pandemic was at its peak, that I decided that now was the time to begin my writing and take it seriously.”
Four years later, Todd-Norris finished the book. He credits his wife, Neveatha, who was “pushing me to go for it” in getting it published, “because it was one of my dreams.”
Fans of Alaric Thorne and the Soulforge Amulet can look forward to a second instalment, which Todd-Norris said is already in the works.
“If I can inspire one person like I was (inspired) or help one person through a dark time with my writing, then it will have been a success and will have been worth it.”