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!
Fighting Fantasy
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.
Well this year saw the release of another two books; Jamthology and The Druids Of Pneuma. With these tucked under my belt I prepped to continue work on LIG4, then recieved a rather interesting and exciting request. I have been asked to guest-author for the Savage Realms gamebook series by its creator, the much revered TroyAnthony Schermer. I can’t say ‘No’ to such an honour, and I shall make this book not only better than any I have written for myself – but also better than most I have read. I dare not give out spoilers, especially at this early developmental stage, but work has commenced and the idea is even better than the one I reserved for a full length amateur FF. So there! Eat your heart out Stephen Hand.
Back in the eighties game books were at the height of their popularity, selling in their hundreds of thousands. Come the nineties, the video game era took over and game books saw a decline, with even the most popular series being pulled from the shelves. With game book fans of yesteryear now adults, they now wish to introduce their children to the genre, with many of them becoming authors of interactive adventures in their own right. The game book market is now reviving, as this generation looks for ways to bring children back to reading rather than screen time.
My new book, JAMTHOLOGY, is an introduction to game books with four thrilling pre-bedtime sized adventures, which start off easy and grow progressively more involving until you finish a seasoned game book adventurer. It is ideal for readers of all ages who wish to begin a journey into interactive stories and pit their wits, rather than read standard cover to cover books.
All profits go to charity. Click here to view on Amazon
I’m delighted to announce a project I have been working on with my stepdaughter is about 75% done, and will probably be released early December. She will be joining the ranks of gamebook illustrators at just 16 years old, like her favourite did, the late Martin Mckenna. It will be my fourth publication inside 18 months. Watch this space for more…
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.
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.
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.
So a couple of days ago I received the proof bound of my latest gamebook , The Druids Of Pneuma – the third title in my Literally Immersive Gamebooks series. There are 36 of these hardback copies in existence, all taken by a backer of this grand project. They have 410 sizzling references to look forward to with artwork by Fighting Fantasy illustrator Malcolm Barter, Mike Tenebrae on internals, and Pat O’Neill on fillers. The book will officially launch after these special hardback editions are posted off, and be available on Amazon in late May.
Hey hey! Today I endeavour to finish off the second rewrite of The Druids Of Pneuma. What a nightmare last hundred refs it has been. With plot holes and cross links galore having to have been ironed out, it isn’t any wonder Puffin rebuked 19 year old gamebook writers. Anyway, I think I have come up with a lovely story, or peril and woe, action and adventure, monsters and magic.
Upon completion it shall be shown to three trustees for preliminary perusal, and the wonderful Mike Tenebrae will be briefed on internal illustrations. I have come up with a plan for limited Kickstarter rewards, which people will be able to get a special edition hardback or paperback as well as other goodies. Whether or not that funds, the book will be available on Amazon shortly after the Kickstarter ends. I’m guessing it’ll be a couple of pounds more than the first two Literally Immersive Gamebooks as its over twice as long at 410 references.
Of all the book projects I am ever likely to do, this is probably the most personal to me, and a product of my 19 year old self and 44 year old self combined. There’s that number again! It will also contain a couple of Easter eggs here and there. A 25 year old work is about to come alive. And with a cover by Malcolm Barter, binding me to the Fighting Fantasy series I love and grew up with. This is a dream come true. I’ll be at the Fighting Fantasy Beero tonight, if you cannot make it I wish you all a merry Yuletide break and happy New Year.
Larping has recieved a significant smash in the chops due to lockdpwn rules. Personally, the closest I ever got to Larping was cops and robbers, or am-dram productions with a youth club I attended as a boy. So is there a way to get round this? Yes! Oliver McNeil, creator of the incredibly popular Storymaster’s Tales boardgames Weirding Woods and Dracodeep Dungeon, has created an interactive webcam based format, where Larpers can create there own character and explore the multitude of locations in his ever expanding Grimm-esque universe. With encounters of wizards, witches, monsters and magic, this thoroughly absorbing static larp experience draws you straight into a cooperative adventure with dozens of other characters.
The production levels of this visual interactive phenomenon are high, and many people have compared the experience to the old Knightmare TV series from the 80s. My own character, Half-head Harry, is a Thief who is usually handy to have onside when sneaky skullduggery is relied upong to progress the story. Being new to Larping, I can say its easy to get into, and more experienced Larpers are always happy to help you out if you stifle.
While the world of outdoor social RPG is at the mercy of covid 19, I strongly recommend to anybody who like LARP, RPG, D&D and all other immersive live action co op games to check it out. Search for Storymaster’s Tales Online LARP group on Facebook today and have a chat with some of the members about joining in this incredible gaming delight. Ages 14+
JamsPlace - Literally Immersive Gamebooks 
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