The Update and Nexus

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Well, sixty-five boxes of books…and counting…are packed. Several trips to Goodwill, filing’s still behind, and I’m realizing that I won’t be as prepared for this move as I thought I was.

At least Rimmon’s happy.

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To say I’m preoccupied is an understatement. Moving is turning out to be a bigger deal than we thought it was going to be on top of deadlines and what-have-you, because we’re also shifting our home office, still need to work full-time, and deal with 5+ years of stuff. Plus, I was really sick for two weeks, and other unexpected hilarity. Because of all this, both Matt and I withdrew as Nexus guests a few weeks ago. We are still listed on the website.

I’m sorry that we won’t be able to see our friends and fans of the games we’ve worked on; I hope to reconnect with you in the future. Right now, it’s looking like GenCon will be the first time we can resurface. It’s hard for me to put myself first, but in this case I really have to.

    Mood: Black, black as my soul.
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Not. Enough.
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: In the box. In the garbage. Move the box. Stack the box.
    In My Ears: Silence
    Game Last Played: Samurai vs. Zombies and Samurai vs. Zombies 2 Yes, I’m at level 80. And?
    Book Last Read: They’re packed. I has a sad.
    Movie Last Viewed: Edge of Tomorrow
    Latest Artistic Project: Posted pics a while ago. Will do more after I’m settled.
    Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing
    Latest Game Release: Mortal Remains
    What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work, original comics, short stories, and novels.


10 for $10 to Celebrate DriveThruRPG’s Anniversary

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DriveThruRPG.com is turning 10 years old! For the next ten days, the online store has some amazing Bundle deals on RPGs, Comics, and Fiction as part of the celebration. These $10 Bundles feature all kinds of cool stuff like the Numenera Bestiary, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer RPG, Deadlands comics, Eclipse Phase RPG, Wraith RPG, Firefly RPG, and more! As part of the anniversary event, both Queen of Crows and Friends in Low Places are included, too.

Happy anniversary DriveThruRPG.com, DriveThruFiction.com, and DriveThruComics.com!

New Release: Unframed The Art of Improvisation for Game Masters

Unframed Cover

Improvisation is key to running any roleplaying game. It’s an essential skill for every game master and player, and can mean the difference between a good gaming session and a great one. Until now, there hasn’t been a system-neutral book that covers improvisation for game masters from every angle. Unframed: The Art of Improvisation for Game Masters is that book.

An anthology of 23 essays by a diverse group of award-winning authors, designers, and experienced game masters, Unframed gives you the tools and inspiration to improvise better, “wing it” without hesitation, and get killer results.

Inside this book you’ll find advice on improvising dialogue scenes by Robin D. Laws (Hillfolk, Ashen Stars), a look at “Just In Time” improvisation from Jennell Jaquays (Caverns of Thracia, Dark Tower), advice on listening to your players by Jason Morningstar (Fiasco, Durance), tricks for handling curveballs from Jess Hartley (Changeling: The Lost, Geist: The Sin-Eaters), tips on improv in horror games from Kenneth Hite (Trail of Cthulhu, GURPS Horror), insightful essays by the authors of the ENnie Award-winning game mastering blog Gnome Stew, and many more.

Unframed collects the wisdom of 23 top designers and gaming industry veterans, and offers 23 perspectives on improvisation. Running the gamut from old-school to indie, and featuring tips specifically for game masters as well as techniques any gamer can use to master the art of improvisation, Unframed has you covered. Whether you want to create a social sandbox, get better at doing voices, or harness the power of “yes, and,” you’ll find the improv advice you’re after in Unframed.

My essay is also included in Unframed: The Art of Improvisation for Game Masters. It’s called “Building Worlds by the Seat of Your Pants,” and is geared for GMs who need to expand certain setting aspects on-the-fly. You can pre-order a copy of the book through the publisher’s website.

About that Story in Mortal Remains

Thought I’d share some photos of the interstitional fiction from Mortal Remains. I had a blast designing these pieces and putting together the art notes. The idea behind the fiction was to take a group of everyday hunters, and toss them into a situation where they find they’re in over their heads. In this case, it’s a murder investigation. Each piece, which precedes the chapter, offers a clue to the overall mystery and reveals a little bit about what an encounter, or evidence a hunter might find. Some antagonists, like the Mummy, never cross paths with the hunters. Others, like the Changeling, try and make a deal or know more than they’re letting on.

As I’m wont to do, there are layers of meaning represented in each piece. The second-to-last piece, which was the Last Will and Testament, serves as the ending and wraps up a lot of loose ends. The devil is in the details, I suppose. Har, har.

Anyway, here’s some photos of what a few of the pieces look like in the premium print edition of Mortal Remains. They’ll fill your screen if you click on them. Hope you enjoy the supplement!

Mortal Remains 1

Mortal Remains 2

Mortal Remains 3

Mortal Remains 4

Mortal Remains 5

New Shinies Sans Sniffles

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…and I’m back for the next segment of “My Life as a Writer.” For ten minutes, at least, since I am STILL dealing with the worst kind of con crud imaginable. Yes well, I whine. What can I say? That’s what gets me through it. Hee.

Anyway, trying for fresh air today and I thought I’d give a brief update about Oscar Wilde, Stud Cat. Oscar has been given a clean bill of health, and he’s going up for adoption this weekend. There are currently 17 cats available for adoption; the staff really likes him and I’ll share a link when that goes live. If you’re considering rescue, please think about it. I found out just how common pet abandonment is, and a lot of time landlords don’t know a pet has been left behind right away. This is just not cool.

I’m good, really. Behind, but sane. I had a great time at WisCon last weekend, mostly because I was able to see people I knew and meet new interesting people. Haven’t gotten the chance to follow up with a living soul, though, because the way my week’s been going. For me, WisCon is the type of show that works well, when I have people to see already. Media-based shows, like a GenCon or NYCC and what-have-you, those I can fare well on my own because there’s always something for me to do, even outside panels. And here? I’m not sure what my contribution would be to a show like this, other than to boost the signal of the folk who are already there. That’s more being self-analytical than anything else, as I’ve pulled back from promoting for the sake of promoting–I don’t have a novel out just yet. Perhaps when that happens, I can talk to some trusted friends, and figure out what folks might be interested in. I suppose that’s every writer’s worst fear, right? Oh, you want to meet me? Um… Hopefully, I’m fabulous in person. Hopefully.

On that note, I’m planning an event for ConText 27 in Ohio that I hope will be the first of many. More on that later! But, for now? I want to share more of the jewelry I’ve been making. They’re clickable, so you can check out each one if you so desire. Shiny!

Vintage-Inspired Necklace

Helm Bracelet

Netted Bracelet

Wire Wrapped Pendants

Pocket of Posies Bracelet

Crystal and Leather Bracelet

    Mood: CON CRUD MUST DIE
    Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Well? HAH.
    Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: Up down left right up up down down.
    In My Ears: A computer fan. How droll.
    Game Last Played: Samurai vs. Zombies and Samurai vs. Zombies 2
    Book Last Read: *eyebrow raise* There was something…
    Movie Last Viewed: Antz Why? I really don’t know.
    Latest Artistic Project: You’re looking at it.
    Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing
    Latest Game Release: Mortal Remains
    What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work, original comics, short stories, and novels.





Looking for Monica’s books and games that are still in print? Visit Monica Valentinelli on Amazon’s Author Central or a bookstore near you.

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