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Mabon

Posted by Jam on September 22, 2021
Posted in: atheism, Pagans, religion. Tagged: , , , .

Am I Pagan?

Whilst writing my third book, The Druids Of Pneuma, I did quite a lot of research into various belief systems around the globe. I don’t believe in a personified God. I accept nature itself as the bringer an expeller of everything, which I feel makes me Animist at best.
There are a million people out there now ready to trounce that saying, “Yeah, but God put nature there.”
Well, that’s their belief. I respect that, and I’m not even saying they’re wrong. But I can’t see why they need to contradict mine rather than respect it either. My belief ends at what I see with my own eyes. So… am I pagan?
Well, Paganism has personified God’s as well. However, these are usually attributed to seasons or occasions. It is these seasons and occasions I like to celebrate via my love of the natural world on a spiritual level. Many of course have been renamed and reworked to tempt people into new spin-off faiths, Christianity for example, a mix of Mithras and Paganism. Within me, you will find no contempt towards anyone’s religion other than those whom try to enforce it. This action is wrong, and even stated so in their own holy texts sometimes. You can believe what you like, you can’t do what you like!
We are all sharing time on a great big rock floating around the sun, faced with the same daily dilemmas and hardships as others. It’s only by working in tandem anything gets done.
That all said, I suppose I am a Pagan albeit on a slightly blanched atheistic level.

Whichever path you choose to take in life, walk it as a great person. Blessed be.

Mini Me

Posted by Jam on August 6, 2021
Posted in: adventure, Fantasy, Gamers, Games, gaming, RPG. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Well, I’ve gone and done something rather naughty but also quite satisfying. Behave not that! But as you know, I’m a huge fan of Oliver McNeil’s The Storymaster’s Tales RPG. Players are usually represented by little glass counters, and although Ironrat Mini’s started a line in making miniatures for the different classes, this ceased due to lockdown or brexit or Katie Hopkins or other frightful things. Last night, I browsed eBay and discovered Reaper Miniatures did models of all the 16 classes I needed for a complete set. For generic effect I’ve even purchased the three covered by Ironrat.

My royalties for Literally Immersive Gamebooks have paid for these, I think it’s a job well done. Some of the detail is lovely.

Bullies Out

Posted by Jam on August 3, 2021
Posted in: Uncategorized.

It’s my proud boast that I’ve managed to do a lot of fundraising for various charities this year. One charity I have joined on a permanent basis it BulliesOut. I hate bullying. I don’t mind the odd tease, or practical joke, but there are lines to draw where it becomes unacceptable. I was victim when young. Yet bullying is kind of vampiric. Once you’ve suffered it, you immediately look for a safe zone, usually striking downwards and becoming the bullying to kids perhaps younger and smaller. I’m ashamed to say I did this before. But knew it was wrong, and stopped virtually right away. 

When you’re bullied to a point of fear, you don’t feel you can tell anyone. You worry about ridicule from those you need help from, or bad repercussions from the bullies. When I was at school, this inevitably held me back. The final year in school I finally stood up for myself, but the damage had already been done by this point. I merely endee any further hassle. However, in this day and age, we have incredible people to turn to such as BulliesOut. They’re not just about getting bullies to stop; they support victims and bystanders as well. I would urge anybody in the UK to check them out, and come forward if you are suffering. You could even become an ambassador for them at your school, empowered with the ability to do something for all victims in your school or workplace. 

http://www.bulliesout.com

Mindfulness

Posted by Jam on June 21, 2021
Posted in: Alzheimer's, Charity, dementia, help, sponsor. Tagged: , , , .

In the morning I shall be embarking on a 20km Memory Walk for the Alzheimer’s Society, with my trusty English Pointer, Libra. We would really love it if you could sponsor us to, even a tiny amount, to help us break the £100 threshold. Dementia is a heartbreaking illness, chipping away at the victims perception of life, whilst their family watch them succumb to the illness. Should you wish to help sponsor Libra and I, we would be eternally grateful. Please click here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jam-hirons?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=jam-hirons&utm_campaign=pfp-tweet&utm_term=a4ca0556aea24ac99ae4863d40048d77

LIG4 Underway

Posted by Jam on June 7, 2021
Posted in: adventure, Authors, books, Fantasy, Fighting Fantasy, Gamebook, Gamers, Readers, Reading, RPG. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Well, I was going to take a rest from writing, but my delightful niece gifted me a pen and notepad specifically to write my next adventure with. Can’t really ignore a demand like that, so three nights ago I came up with a backstory and we’ll be returning to similar mechanics as LIG2. Exciting times, no idea when it’ll release as I’ve only just begun, and there’s no old manuscript to sponge from like with The Druids Of Pneuma. Watch this space for more.

Posted by Jam on June 5, 2021
Posted in: adventure, Authors, books, Fantasy, Gamebook, Gamers, Readers, Reading. Tagged: , , , .

Rather pleased that sales picked up with the release of The Druids Of Pneuma. May slowly be making a name for myself in the gamebook community. Ive also done a bit of fundraising lately, and the latest charity to receive funds is BulliesOut. Would really recommend them for the fantastic work they do, so check them out sometime. Of course, exposure helps so I also purchased some garb to help spread awareness.

Literally Immersive Gamebooks 4 is being penned. I promised myself time of, but have been bitten by the bug. New genre, no silly 26 year old manuscript, this will be my best yet!

Special Editions

Posted by Jam on May 12, 2021
Posted in: adventure, Authors, books, Fantasy, Fighting Fantasy, Gamebook, Games, gaming, illustrators, LARP, LARPING, Readers, Reading, RPG, vampires, wizards. Tagged: , , , , .

So the special edition sets of The Druids Of Pneuma have started finding their way into their new owners hands. Let’s take a look at a couple of things that make them so special.

The Druids Of Pneuma by James A Hirons

1) It’s not branded with the LIG logos. We get to enjoy Malcolm Barter’s art The Bella Mort without the monofett LIG crest across the top. No ISBN or blurb either.

2) It’s a hardback. One of only 35 in existence. Okay, 36 if you include the proof copy. There will never be anymore made, making them rarer than a Magehunter lol.

3) Some text has been removed. If you are a  follower of the Literally Immersive Gamebooks page on Facebook, or backed at a Walraven level, you will no what something is when you find it which may be important. Otherwise, your quest may get a little stifled.

4) There is a credit list, and write up about how the book took a quarter of a century to get from my head to its published form.

5) They’re all signed. You’re welcome 😜 Paperbacks will be available on Amazon next week.

Pneuma has arrived!

Posted by Jam on May 8, 2021
Posted in: Uncategorized.

Well, no sooner did I get off messenger to Mr Lain, postman John visited and… they’ve arrived ladies and gentlemen backers. After watershed tonight I’ll be parcelling up the special prelaunch backer sets for delivery commencing next week. Pneuma has arrived!!!

25 years procrastination and the dire amateur Fighting Fantasy amateur adventure from my 19 year old self has been turned into something good, with a little inspiration from our local beach last year. These special editions are spoken for, but The Druids Of Pneuma will be available on Amazon in late May. Thanks to everyone involved, Jam loves ya ❤️