Creative Process

Posted by Jam on March 13, 2023
Posted in: Uncategorized.

So my next title for the Savage Realms series, The Tavern On Gallows Hill, is further along the production process. New illustrations are being produced by artist Luiz Prado, TroyAnthony Schermer has been working hard editing and proof reading it, and I dare say the playtesting will begin soon.

I have commenced a sixth book which will be aimed at an older audience. It will be a prequel to The Druids Of Pneuma, in which you play the villain and discover how he became so malignant. Experiences from recent events in RL have given me new inspirations in which to base this story around. I’m aiming at 300 refs, but it’s a project in the making still.

Going Live

Posted by Jam on July 1, 2022
Posted in: adventure, Authors, books, Fantasy, Fighting Fantasy, Gamebook, Gamers, Games, illustrators. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , .

I’m delighted to announce that the Savage Realms project I have been working on is now going live on Kickstarter. My latest book, The Tavern and On Gallows Hill is joined by two others, penned by Pat ONeil, and David Lowrie of Blackdog Gamebooks. It’s a chance to back three amazing gamebook productions in one go, in a huge triple whammy style. Best of all, whatever level you back at, it’s already funded in less than 12 hours! Congratulations to TroyAnthony Schermer. Here is the link to view this incredible project. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/malivor/three-new-savage-realms-gamebooks-by-three-guest-authors?ref=project_facebook

Art by Luiz Prado

Eye Spy

Posted by Jam on June 14, 2022
Posted in: Authors, books, Gamebook. Tagged: , , .

One of the loveliest things about a WordPress blog is you can see where your visitors come from. It seems lots of you like my post on weight loss, and the recent one about gaslighting. As an amateur author, it shows me how many come here for researching books, or general interest too. For the latter, I have a second short story set aside for inclusion in a future Savage Realms anthology. The Tavern On Gallows Hill is also submitted and will be part of a kickstarter campaign next month, and general release should be in the new year.

Symphony Of The Damned

Posted by Jam on April 19, 2022
Posted in: adventure, Authors, books, Fantasy, horror, Readers. Tagged: , , , .

My first attempt at writing a proper story for a book comes to fruition in TroyAnthony Schermer’s fabulous anthology, Symphony Of The Damned. I was drafted in quite late but took a six day hiatus from my Savage Realms adventure to type up a quick idea. Should it be well recieved I would consider future projects like this rather than solely focus on interactive literature.

Now available on Amazon

Amongst the other guest authors you may see familiar names associated with me such as Victoria Hancox, David Lowrie, and of course Pat O’Neill who provided the filler art for my book The Druids Of Pneuma, now turning debut writer. So if you like chilling stories, give this a try! Jam out!

Upcoming Project

Posted by Jam on April 10, 2022
Posted in: adventure, Authors, books, Fantasy, Fighting Fantasy, Gamebook, Gamers, Games, gaming, illustrators. Tagged: , , , , .

Many of you will now know I have started writing a book for TroyAnthony Schermer’s incredible Savage Realms gamebook series. With the first draft just 70 references away from finishing, it means I’m happy to share a little info about it. The title is The Tavern On Gallows Hill, and the first quarter of the book or so is set there. There is much you can get up to here, which may or may not effect your progress later on in the book. The choices you make in this section will very much reflect your decision making ‘skill’ as an individual reader . It is set in Ataraxia, the Savage Realms staple world but largely in places I’ve created, which in turn help grow ‘the map’. There are several little Easter eggs thrown in, and familiarities one might expect from gamebook authors such as Stephen Hand. Watch out for the obligatory namedrop which has been something of a calling card of mine since writing gamebooks. There is also a character based on someone I use to know but only I and one of the dedications will know who (and the person in question if they are bright enough – recent revelations suggest not). It is illustrated by the amazing Luiz Prado, who’s art I fell in love with straight away. In my honest opinion, his style is hybrid of FF inklords McCaig and Langford. You will also be treated (or mistreated) to monsters I have conjured up myself for the world of Ataraxia. It’s a small homage to FF book Scorpion Swamp (how I’d have done it). This is about all I can divulge at this stage, watch for posts by Mr Schermer himself for updates. Jam out!

Rabbit Holes

Posted by Jam on March 7, 2022
Posted in: adventure, Alice in Wonderland, Authors, books, Fantasy, Fighting Fantasy, Gamebook. Tagged: , , .

Did you know…?

In 2015 gamebook author Jonathan Green launched his very own ACE Gamebook series with a little experimental Kickstarter. The classic children’s story Alice In Wonderland became interactive fiction under Green’s experienced pen. It was a successful project, and those whom backed at a higher lever reward received a gorgeous white-cottoned hardcover special edition, decorated wonderfully with Kev Crossley’s art in golden foil. Very few of these actually exist, possibly only 50 copies although an exact amount was never divulged. In 2021, an American gamebook collector paid in excess of £1000 for a copy. This trumps the much sought books 55-59 from the Puffin Fighting Fantasy series and Grailquest book 8 put together! How lucky was I to back the project at the time, not just at the level needed to get one of these rarities, but also attend a public demo at The Asylum in Lincolnshire before the books release.

Rhyming Jam

Posted by Jam on January 20, 2022
Posted in: poetry, Readers. Tagged: , , .

Thought I’d given a poem a try. I know it’s the 21st century and you can’t say anything anymore but whatever.

I’ve never thrown myself on a hand grenade to protect my fellow team,
Nor charged into enemy fire as my dying friends all scream.
I’ve never transplanted organs to keep a terminal child alive,
Or worked around the contagious not knowing if I’d survive.
I’ve never put my life in danger whilst trying to rescue another,
Made history as a famous first with worldwide media cover,
The funny thing is those receiving knighthoods do not either,
In these days awful luvvies and MPs are the receivers.

Positive Mental Attitude

Posted by Jam on January 16, 2022
Posted in: diet, dieting, exercise, fat loss, fitness, health. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

So you need exercise to improve your health, but need a motivational kick? You can help others as well by taking part in sponsored walks. Libra and I are helping Children’s Hospitals Across Scotland throughout February by taking part in their 280,000 step challenge. Look around and see what you can do to benefit others as well as your own fitness today! https://tinyurl.com/ykz8mpkz

Threatlore Town

Posted by Jam on January 5, 2022
Posted in: adventure, Authors, books, Fantasy, Gamebook, Gamers, Games, gaming, RPG. Tagged: , , , , .

Absolutely delightybumbumboiled to be backer 1 on Olly Mc ‘s new tabletop RPG, Threatlore Town. It is the third box set version of his ever expanding The Storymaster’s Tales role play game, suitable for ages six-adult, and gives you an insight into his live larp shows as well. If you love a good family game*, or a nice easy D&D alternative, these are the games for you.
*Can also be played solo, and you don’t need the other sets but if you have them all they can be played as one whole inter-joining epic. Click Here to buy!!