Monica Valentinelli's Blog: booksofm.com, page 9

[New Release] WisCon Chronicles Boundaries & Bridges + Giveaway

WisCon Chronicles: Boundaries & Bridges explores our understanding of boundaries and bridges, and what they mean for us as individuals and for our communities. The words we use matter, as essays that talk about feminist terms, gendered language, and even the name of the Tiptree/Otherwise award (which is almost inextricably identified with WisCon) demonstrate. The definition of “community” is also examined, both within WisCon and beyond, as it spills out into the wider world — including online spaces.

Check out this awesome list of contributors! Jess Adams, Charlie Jane Anders, Nancy Bird, Kristy Anne Cox, Katherine Alejandra Cross, Alexandra Erin, Nivair H. Gabriel, Sarah Gulde, Lauren Jankowski, Inda Lauryn, Elise Matthesen, Gabriela Damián Miravete, Chimedum Ohaegbu, Otherwise Board, Julia Rios, John Scalzi, Nisi Shawl, Monica Valentinelli, and G. Willow Wilson!

Limited Time Giveaway!

The first 100 people to register for WisCon 44, which will be held online Memorial Day weekend, will receive a copy of WisCon Chronicles: Boundaries & Bridges.

Please visit the Online Registration Page for WisCon 44 for more information about the giveaway, programming, and pricing. The essay collection can be purchased through the publisher’s website at aqueductpress.com

[New Release] Death is Not the End anthology for Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2nd Edition

Death is not the end.

You learned that firsthand when you died. In that darkness, you made a deal that brought you back — with something else. Now, bound inextricably to a geist — a shade, a monster, a tragic, broken soul — you stand between the world of the living and the world of the dead.

This collection of eleven stories inspired by Geist: The Sin-Eaters Second Edition explores the haunted places in the Chronicles of Darkness. The anthology includes dark tales written by Lauren Roy, Eric Zawadski, Renee Ritchie, and more!

My short story is titled “Feasting on Twilight after Dark” and is set on the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus. There are many strange architectural aspects littering the campus and my tale highlights one of them. For years, I’d hear rumors about how different buildings were haunted–it’s the perfect Geist 2E setting! Plus, this story is a crossover between Geist: the Sin-Eaters Second Edition and Hunter: the Vigil Second Edition.

Want a haunting good tale? Death is Not the End for Geist: the Sin-Eaters is now available in eBook and print. You can find a copy on DriveThruFiction.com now or check for the Kindle and Nook editions in about a week.

Ahoy Mateys! Sea of Legends is Now on Kickstarter

Ahoy! Are you hoping for a thrilling adventure on the high seas? Sea of Legends is a narrative-driven, open-world tabletop game for 1 to 4 players. Your decisions will make waves throughout the Caribbean as each player takes part in shared adventures woven together by our companion app. Choose wisely. In Sea of Legends, the fickle winds of fate can fill your sails or turn against you at any moment. With twenty-six writers crafting over 400 unique stories, you’ll never play the same game twice.

I’m so thrilled to be a part of this stellar project. Check out Sea of Legends on KickstarterSea of Legends on Kickstarter! We funded the same day. I can’t wait to see what stretch goals will be unlocked. Yay! More stories await!

5 Cooking-at-Home Shortcuts

Heya, I know a lot of you are super stressed right now. (I don’t think that’s going away anytime soon, either.) Since I’ve been spending all my time at home, I’ve been reacquainting myself with what I have on hand and how best to use those items. For example, have a bunch of candles with a tiny bit of wax? Pick up a candle warmer for under $10 and get more mileage out of them.

If you’re cooking at home more often, too, I’m sure you’re also discovering a few awesome ways to cut down on how much time you’re cooking. Here’s a few shortcuts I learned that helps me get back to writing:

1) For cold-brewed tea, I calculate two cups of filtered water per tea bag and let that steep in the fridge for 12 hours.

2) For cold-brewed coffee, I calculate one scoop of coarsely ground coffee beans per two cups of filtered water. The longer you steep the higher the caffeine content. The recommended time is a minimum of 18 hours, but your mileage will vary.

3) Got a bread recipe that calls for buttermilk? One teaspoon vinegar plus any milk–including nut milk–works as a substitute. Just let it curdle for a few minutes and its ready to go!

4) If you’re bored with your diet, check out the recipes on your dry goods. We’ve been experimenting with almond flour, and found a ton of recipes on the bag to try!

5) Out of yeast? Make beer bread instead. We picked up a six-pack of beer just for this purpose! Here’s a good beer bread recipe from King Arthur Flour. (Highly recommend that flour! Woo!)

I’m also upcycling and concentrating on making better use out of my closet. I’ll pop in next time with some highlights! ‘Til then.

New to Game Writing? Take My Next Class!

Hi friends, a fun announcement today! I am teaching another online class about game writing on Sunday, April 26th through the Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers.

Do you love playing games? Ever want to write your own or for someone else? In this class, join industry veteran Monica Valentinelli for insight on how to write your own game or for your favorite type of game. Monica has worked on mobile games, IF games, card games, tabletop games, and more! Questions welcome! — Intro to Game Writing Class with Monica Valentinelli

I cover a lot of ground to explain what a typical game writer does, what can be considered game writing, how different aspects of the industry affect prose, how communities form, and where to find work.

If you’re keen on taking my Intro to Game Writing class, more information (including pricing and scholarships) is available on the sign-up page. Happy gaming!

Back Million Dollar Podmate on Kickstarter!

Million Dollar Soulmate is a tabletop RPG of romantic uncertainty designed by Greg Stolze. Two players create a pair of courting lovers. One of them just spent a million dollars to have an algorithm find their perfect match, the person who completes them and expands their personality. The other… is that match.

What could go wrong? Well, plenty.

Greg launched Million Dollar Podmate on Kickstarter with a funding level of $200 to do a podcast with me! We did hit the funding goal, so we’ll record the game session. Want in on the fun? Greg has additional guests planned for this hilariously unpredictable romantic-themed game!

For more about the Million Dollar Soulmate RPG and podcast recordings created by Greg Stolze, head on over to Kickstarter today!

My First Quarter 2020 Update

A few months ago, I had planned on sharing a quarterly update with you to highlight news on the proverbial home front. I had no idea I’d be writing this update from quarantine in my office next to a snoring cat. (Not Captain Whinypants. The other one. The orange ball of floofy one.) I don’t want to dwell on COVID-19 related issues other than to say “Yes, I’m affected.” Luckily, no one is sick in my household. Cross all appendages hoping that holds true! At the same time, I know several people who either do have it or lost someone recently. It’s a little surreal summing up the past three months, because I don’t know how the next three will fare. All I can focus on is one day at a time.

With that in mind, here’s a rundown of my year so far. Late December, I started by taking inventory of my 2019 list of publications. I used that exercise to revisit my goals, take stock of what I had, and put together a wish list. I wound up trunking everything I had so I could start fresh. (Zsa Zsa Gabor: “I just hated everything.”) In January, I was also prepping for the Hunter: Vigil Second Edition Kickstarter and had attended Midwinter Gaming Convention for a business meeting. I knew February was going to be busy, because I’d managed and promoted Kickstarters in the past, but I had no idea how swamped I’d be. Most of that month was swallowed up with a lot of news, Kickstarter cheerleading, and new releases. I was thrilled to release Underwater Memories accompanied by a themed soundtrack through Sub-Q Magazine, attend RadCon in Pasco, Washington as a guest of honor, and prepare for the SXSW release of my contributions for Wonder Stories, an app to help kids read.

Following this, I flew to Florida for a Make Art Not War writer’s retreat hosted by Alethea Kontis at the beginning of March. The first week and a half was lovely; we used the time to reset and reconnect. In that first week, I had so much news showing signs of growth and some wonderful experiences–including a SpaceX launch and a writer’s meet-up. Then, COVID-19 hit just a few days later. The launch at SXSW for Wonder Stories was cancelled along with several conferences I’d planned to attend. A spooky anthology I contributed to, called Haunting Shadows, also debuted. On top of this, I fell seriously ill. (Yes, we did check into testing but none was available.) We’re not sure if I had COVID-19 or adenovirus, but we took precautions in any case. During my recovery, I taught an Intro to Game Writing class through the Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers. I also mentioned I’m running for SFWA Director-At-Large as a write-in candidate. My class was lovely and everyone was enthusiastic and talented! (I still feel awful about my voice going in and out, but we made it work!) I didn’t write much, other than morning pages that last stretch of time. I wanted to be well enough to fly home at the beginning of April; there was a solid week or so I don’t remember.

I am now kicking off the second quarter in quarantine at home. Our state’s quarantine is through Friday, April 26th; the national recommendation is April 30th. However, my office quarantine is scheduled until Saturday, April 18th to ensure I’m not presenting any symptoms, especially after flying out of Orlando. I’m also dealing with a few other behind-the-scenes related issues, too, that have popped up because of this crisis. Additionally, I decided to pen a 30-day journal in quarantine for our local historical society. I feel this kind of documentation really matters–especially right now. I’m writing these entries in lieu of morning pages, but also to pay attention to how I’m feeling. I have a few deadlines this month and a lot of spec opportunities to follow up on, both of which should keep me busy.

I wish I could end this quarterly update with a comment about where my career will be by the end of June–but it’s impossible to predict anything. Change and uncertainty are the new “normal”. I jokingly called this era “The Chaos Timeline” before COVID-19 hit. Unfortunately, that description is very apropos of 2020 thus far. I’m still writing, but I’m also proceeding with extra caution–especially since many people I know and love are immunocompromised. To what end? Only time will tell.

Wishing you and yours health, stability, and a lot of luck in this tumultuous time.

[New Release] Wonder Stories Mobile Phone App for Middle Grade Readers

Hello! I am pleased to announce that Wonder Stories, an app designed to help middle grade kids read, is now available in the Apple store and on Google Play. This app reinvents the story by allowing kids to help the characters unravel a mystery.

Right now, the app is free. Two of my stories are now available! You can enjoy “The Case of the Popped Balloons” and “The Case of the Multiplying Bunnies” along with several other stories when you download the app to your device. My stories take place in a magical circus-themed school and stars Jesse Chipperfield and Tanner Newbury.

Due to COVID-19, the launch at SXSW was scrapped. If you know of anyone who loves tiny mysteries, I’d appreciate a recommendation. The designer of the app would also love reviews and feedback–especially from librarians! Getting the word out will be a little harder now, but I hope with a little luck we can make that happen.

Thanks and happy reading!

Writing in the Chaos Timeline

I had a list of personal writing, dietary, and fitness goals I wanted to accomplish when I left for Florida on March 1st. The original plan was to celebrate my birthday here (my friends were going to surprise me with a trip to Disney World), then go to a conference, then home. My next six months were already set—I knew what I’d be working on, what gigs I’d need to look for, and which personal projects I wanted to finish. I had already decided my summer would be taken up with household stuff I’d long put off, because I needed room for growth. Back in January, I had opened myself up to change on a lot of fronts for many different reasons. I just didn’t know COVID-19 would escalate to global and deadly proportions.

Everyone I know is affected by COVID-19 in some fashion. Gigs evaporating, contracts uncertain, convention-centric vendors going out of business, the inspiration to make art evaporating because what’s the point when a catastrophe is going on. I’ve also been affected by COVID-19. Wonder Stories was supposed to debut at SXSW; I’ve also experienced a few lifestyle changes due to my friends and family who are immunocompromised.

I’m not home yet. I travel back this week from Florida where, to be perfectly blunt, a whole lot of people are not taking this seriously despite the panic buying that’s happening right now. I hope/pray/etc. that my trip will be uneventful. I had planned to return earlier, but unfortunately I came down with something that took me out for a week and a half. I wanted to be well (which I am now, thankfully) because I didn’t want to travel being immunocompromised or putting others at risk. Once I do get home, I’m on strict quarantine for two weeks and then for the rest of April.

Despite all the chaos, my “plans” evaporating, and lost gigs, I’m still writing. The words are trickling slowly. My first drafts, which I normally write in my head, are shitty. I don’t feel guilty about it. I put pen to paper, write morning pages, and scribble a few poems. But I am writing, organizing my concepts, and identifying where I want to grow.

Pre-outbreak, I had a plan. Now? It’s far less determinate. Rapid change is simply guaranteed and, unfortunately, that means the only way I can keep writing is to accept the unknown, make the best use out of the time I have now, and remember to have fun. Because without that? It’s going to be a long quarantine and an even longer summer.

I hope you’re doing well. I know this isn’t a fun situation, by any means, for anyone. If you want to connect I’ll be checking into Twitter periodically and am posting pictures on Instagram @booksofm. Other than that? I’ll be blogging again. I miss LiveJournal, and I suppose the only way to tap into that nostalgia is to simply journal.

‘Til next time!

[Notification] COVID-19, Hiring Me, Outreach, and Cancelled Appearances

Hello everyone!

I wanted to reach out and let you know I am cancelling all public appearances for the time being. I had planned to attend Mo*Con on May 1st and WisCon on May 31st which have both been cancelled. I am taking this a step further and cancelling all in person appearances through June 30th. I plan to reassess all of my public appearances (attending a convention, visiting schools/libraries, or being featured as a guest) in the July/August 2020 timeframe.

At present, I am planning to appear as a guest of GameHole Con in November 2020. As of March 20, 2020, no plans are confirmed for next year.

I am fully aware COVID-19 is deadly disease that impacts all of us and am monitoring the situation. Already, COVID-19 having a dramatic impact on the creative industries I traffic in—and I know these changes are not exclusive to any one business or industry. The longer the pandemic continues, the harder it will be to resume normality and make up lost revenue.

If You are a Creator

If you are a creator, first of all—welcome! I am happy to host guest posts here on my blog should you need a space to promote your works. I will post a list of guidelines sometime next week and send out another update.

Additionally, I am also an editor for genre magazine FlamesRising.com and we can host guest blogs to help as well. Visit that site for details.

You can also connect with me at @booksofm on Twitter. That will be my primary method of social media communication for a while. I will be posting pictures @booksofm on Instagram as well.

If you already have a website or a recent project you wish to promote, feel free to add links in the comments.

If You Want to Hire Me

Yes, I am seeking new paid opportunities. I would love to teach more online classes, write short stories, novelettes, and novellas, and/or dive into pop culture pieces to offset my lost revenue. I am currently teaching an Intro to Game Writing class via The Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers. With the cancellation of SXSW, my future as a middle grade author is also unclear for the foreseeable future; if you enjoy magic and wonder, I’m more than happy to write for this audience.

With respect to additional class topics: I have over 15 years experience as a game writer, which is what I am currently known for. I have also worked as a marketing consultant and have a ton of experience framing messaging during an unforeseen crisis. Additionally, I am an experienced beadweaver and jewelry designer.

Should you poke around my site and find something you think I would be great for, I am happy to discuss other ideas than the ones listed. We can negotiate rates or, for media/tie-in and long form works, I can put you in touch with my agent, Jennie Goloboy at the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Unfortunately, I cannot accept any free-to-low rate opportunities at this time. My plate for work on spec is very full.

Thank you for your time and understanding. I know this is a difficult time for all of us. Words cannot express how devastated I am by this pandemic and its long-term effects.

Moderated comments are open. Should you wish to personally connect, please use the Contact Monica page.