[New Release] In Volo’s Wake Now Available

D&D Ampersand

Back in November 2016, I announced that I worked on In Volo’s Wake to celebrate the release of Volo’s Guide to Monsters. The adventure was first released at GameHoleCon for D&D’s Adventurer’s League, and was then available to play as as a store exclusive.

I’m happy to report that In Volo’s Wake is now available for all fans of D&D! This set of adventures was designed for beginner players; there are tons of notes for DMs to draw from to modify encounters and have a little (hopefully a lot!) of fun.

The town of Phandalin, nestled in the foothills to the east of the Sword Mountains, continues to grow since being rebuilt after the devastation wrought by rampaging orc hordes. It recently survived violent gang activity, drow machinations, and even the attention of a green dragon.

But can it withstand a new threat, bizarre but no less perilous: the fame brought by a visit from none other than loremaster Volothamp Geddarm?

If you’re interested, you can hop on over to DMsGuild.com to purchase a digital copy of the adventure or through the Flamesrising.com Shop. I’m sure your fellow adventurers would love to hear your thoughts on this adventure, too, if you get the chance to play it. Enjoy!

January 31, 2017
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Mark Your Calendar for GameHoleCon 2017

GameHoleCon 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin

I am pleased to announce that I will be a guest for this year’s Gamehole Con, which takes place November 2nd through November 5th at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

“Gamehole Con is the largest tabletop gaming convention in the upper Midwest. Tabletop gamers from around the country gather each November in Madison, WI for this carnival of gaming. The convention features role-playing games, board games, fantasy and historical miniature gaming, and collectible card games. If you are a tabletop gaming fan, do not miss Gamehole Con!”

I’ll have more announcements about the show in the coming months. I hope you consider joining us at the show!

January 30, 2017
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Guest Posts and Class Date Changes for Writing the Other



After talking to Tempest, we realized that we needed to shift the class dates to accommodate our schedules and give me an opportunity to write some guest posts. The class, which is now scheduled for April, also offers a payment plan as well.

I did manage to write one guest post so far, I’m happy to announce that you can read more about my design philosophy over at the illustrious Jim Hines’ blog today.

“Why does representation in RPGs matter? The answer is simple: players play games so they can be the hero in their own stories.” –SOURCE: On Representation in RPGs

If you’re interested in registering for the class, hop on over to www.writingtheother.com where you’ll find the Writing Inclusive Games: Creating RPGs Sans Fail class description and more information. Mark your calendar!

January 30, 2017
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My 2016 Year-End Publications Post

I’m pleased to share with you my 2016 releases in gaming, fiction, and non-fiction. This year, my specific goal was to shore up my non-fiction to (hopefully) get more opportunities in that area. I also wanted to write some media/tie-in stories, to dip my toes back in before submitting my original work. Plus, I’ve been very happy to edit anthologies as well and enjoy doing that work.

A note about awards eligibility: I’d really appreciate it if you considered my work when you’re thinking about awards next year. It does mean a lot that you’re taking the time to think deeply about my art, and I do appreciate it. Thank you!

Fiction

I published three short stories this year, and all of them were for established settings.

    “Redder Than Red”, ENDLESS AGES for Vampire: The Masquerade, 2016, Onyx Path Publishing
    “Suffering of the Unchosen”, TALES OF THE DARK ERAS, 2016, Onyx Path Publishing
    “My Enemy, Mi Amici”, DRAWING DESTINY: A Sixth World Tarot Anthology, 2016, Catalyst Game Labs

I also edited two anthologies as well. The first is a media/tie-in collection, and the second is an anthology I conceptualized that examines tropes through a literary lens.

    THE CAINITE CONSPIRACIES, Vampire: The Masquerade Dark Ages 20th Anniversary Edition, 2016, Onyx Path Publishing
    UPSIDE DOWN: Inverted Tropes in Storytelling, 2016, Apex Publications

Non-Fiction

The big release this year, was a reference book I wrote and helped design for the Firefly TV show. Jenny Lynn, the show’s translator, also lent her talents to answer questions in an interview, and to offer a definitive and thorough look at the Mandarin Chinese used in the show. Additionally, I also started a column for the SFWA about writing for games as well, and that column kicked off in November.

    THE GORRAMN SHINIEST LANGUAGE GUIDE AND PHRASEBOOK IN THE ‘VERSE, 2016, Titan Publishing
    “We Have Always Been Here, Motherfucker”, Uncanny Magazine, November 2016

Games

I’ve been very happy and so pleased to add the legendary Dungeons & Dragons to my list of published games this year. So awesome!

    IN VOLO’S WAKE, Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, 2016, Wizards of the Coast
    COURT OF SHADOWS, 2016, Catalyst Game Labs
    GHOULS & REVENANTS, Vampire: the Masquerade, 2016, Onyx Path/White Wolf Publishing
    DARK ERAS, Hunter: the Vigil “Doubting Souls”, 2016, Onyx Path/White Wolf Publishing
    CODEX INFERNUS, 2016, Gun Metal Games
    BATTLE FOR THE UNDERCITY for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, 2016, DMsguild.com (Self)
January 9, 2017
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Writing the Other Sans Fail Registration Now Available

I am pleased to tell you that the Writing the Other Sans Fail Class registration is now live!

When: Saturdays, 2 – 4PM Eastern Standard Time, February 11 – March 4, 2017
Where: ONLINE via Zoom Video Conference
Price: $360
Register Here

The goal of many game designers is to attract and retain players who want to see themselves as the hero in their own story. To do that, game writers lend their talents to portray characters whose gender, sexual orientation, religion, racial heritage, or other aspect of identity might differ from their own. Many game writers work within a team-based environment or with a developer, and are optimistic but fearful of what good representation means. Worried they’ll present a character wrong, offend players for their effort, get harassed or be fired for speaking up, some game writers opt to take the safe route instead.

It is possible to design characters and game material from a position of mutual respect in a sensitive and convincing way. This workshop can start you on the path to doing just that.

January 7, 2017
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