Jonathan Green's Blog, page 135

Steampunk Thursday: Unnatural History still feelin' the love!

The very first Pax Britannia novel Unnatural History may have been published over 8 years ago(!) but some people are still discovering it - and loving it - for the first time.

The following quotes are from just some of the people who've enjoyed Ulysses Quicksilver's opening adventure in the last year.
"A real Boy's Own type adventure story from a bygone era. Loved the characters."

"A real rip-roaring adventure full of spills, thrills and quite little digs at modem society... an excellent read."

"The characters are well rounded and interesting, the hero's are both square jawed and stiff upper lipped."

"Very much enjoyed this adventure, well worth it. The characters are fun and the story moves at a fast pace that keeps the eager hooked."

"A rip-roaring read of a Steampunk alternate modern day universe."

"The pace is quick, and the action exciting."

"This is an effortlessly entertaining pulpy read."

And do you know what else?  Unnatural History is currently ranked
#14 in Kindle Store > Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > Steampunk.

You can download your copy here, for free!

Warhammer Wednesday: Return to the Herald of Oblivion!

I am delighted to be able to report today that my Warhammer 40K Path to Victory adventure gamebook Herald of Oblivion is set to return, this time as a downloadable app.

But that's not all... Herald of Oblivion is the first title in the newly conceived Legacy of Dorn Trilogy, which places the player within a vast choice-based adventure novel, written by Yours Truly.


Tin Man Games are using their critically acclaimed Gamebook Adventures Engine to bring the 41st millennium to life, replacing the paper book with an interactive computer terminal where players choose their path through the adventure. The original dice combat (which was always the book's weak point) has also been replaced with an exciting first-person turn-based combat system.


When you play the app, your phone, tablet or computer, turns into an Imperial Cogitator. Not only will you be manipulating the archive of Brother Nabor’s mission, but when you encounter the myriad of life-forms aboard the eponymous space hulk, the cogitator turns into a holographic combat simulator which brings the player face-to-face with the xenos horrors!


Legacy of Dorn : Herald of Oblivion will be available to download from the iOS App Store, Google Play and Amazon Appstore for Android at the end of September 2015. It will also be available on Steam and the Humble Store later in the year. Two sequels, Pits of Commorragh and Forge of War, are planned for release in 2016.

Tie-in Tuesday: PIXELS vs GAME OVER

Well I've finally been to see PIXELS , the Adam Sandler movie inspired by this awesome short film...



PIXELS works on a basic level - there are some great set pieces, particularly the Pac-Man chase - but there are some really crude, misjudged jokes - Serena Williams, you're better than this! Martha Stewart might not be, but you are, Serena - and Josh Gad's sole purpose in the movie appears to be to scream in the most irritating manner for most of the time he's on screen. In a nutshell, somebody really should have hired a writer to work on the script.

The good news is that GAME OVER, the horror anthology inspired by classic arcade games - the launch date of which was brought forward to coincide with the release of PIXELS - is still available for your Kindle for a Hall of Fame High-Score Table-busting £1.19. And, as is so often the case, the book is considerably better than the movie.

Tie-in Tuesday: Doctor Who

Thought for the Day

“Every time you write, ask yourself: Could this scene take place in a hot-air balloon? If the answer is yes, then it probably should.”

~ Haruki Murakami, Author

Short Story Saturday: SHARKPUNK and GAME OVER

This time last year I had never had anything published that I had edited and compiled before: now there are two books out that I have nurtured and helped bring into being along with a host of very talented writers.


SHARKPUNK may have come out in May, but it received another glowing review this week, over on ZeroSignalMagazine.com. As the reviewer says, "Once you bite, you’ll be hooked."

GAME OVER is also starting to make an impact and I'm hoping to receive some official reviews soon. But what's so impressive about  GAME OVER , I think, is that we put the book together, from scratch, in less than 5 months!

You can buy both books direct from the publisher Snowbooks .

Gamebook Friday: Alice at the Asylum

Calling all Pax Britannia fans! I will be attending  Weekend at the Asylum VII  on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August this year.


This will be my fourth stay at the asylum and this year I will be based at the Westgate Academy, home to the literature and gaming zones, along with the other authors, publishers, games companies and gamers who are also attending this year.

Admission is by wristband only, and there is going to be a mini street food festival in the grounds of the Academy.

On Saturday 29th at 3:00pm, I will be giving a talk about my latest Steampunk-related project,  Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland . So if you want to find out more about what I have in store for our heroine (150 years old this year!) and maybe have a play through of part of the book, then why not pop along?

On Sunday 30th at lunchtime, I will also be giving a reading from my first brand-new Pax Britannia short story in three years! An opportunity not to be missed I am sure you'll agree.

So, be splendid, and maybe I'll see you there.

Thought for the Day

"Whenever you introduce a character, you don’t have to specify that they are wearing pants. Most readers will just assume that they are wearing pants unless you say otherwise."

~ Zadie Smith, Author

GAME OVER - Table of Contents

Anybody still wondering whether they should pick up a copy of GAME OVER , here's the full table of contents.


IntroductionJonathan Green
The Russian EffectJames Wallis 
Personal GrowthSarah Peploe
ControlJonathan Oliver
The Face Of The DeepSimon Bestwick
It Was Beauty...Gav Thorpe
Screen BurnJames Swallow
The Animals InsideLaurel Sills
Welcome To The PleasuredomeAlexandra Peel
Lines Of FireTim Major
To Those Left BehindA D Chillman
The Lords Of Unswept PlacesGeorge Pickett
Last LifeMichael Carroll
The ebook edition of GAME OVER is still available on Amazon UK for only £1.19 , so grab it now before the price goes up!

GAME OVER - Publication Day!

In the cavern-like darkness of the arcade, the neon phosphor-glow of the screen beckons you close. Drawn to the dancing pixels like a moth to a flame, digging deep in your pocket you pull out a shiny coin and thumb it into the slot as the electronic siren sings the fanfare that marks your arrival. One hand on the joystick, the other splayed across the control buttons, your pulse begins to quicken. 
Ready Player One
Press Start
You’ve barely begun but suddenly the discordant bleeps are trumpeting your failure as your 8-bit adventure comes to an abrupt end. At least in the world of the video arcade you get a second chance. But what is the true price you pay when you make a pact with the digital demon? There’s always another coin, an extra life to be earned, a second chance… Isn’t there?
GAME OVER
A dozen stories of creeping dread and savage horror inspired by the humble amusement arcade and the classic coin-ops of yesteryear. Twelve tales to chill your blood by twelve masters of the malevolent and the macabre.
Just keep reminding yourself, it’s only a game… Isn’t it?

GAME OVER is available now from Snowbooks, and features stories by James Wallis, Sarah Peploe, Jonathan Oliver, Simon Bestwick, Gav Thorpe, James Swallow, Laurel Sills, Alexandra Peel, Tim Major, Adam Chillman, George Pickett, and Michael Carroll.



Buy GAME OVER direct from Snowbooks and get 50% quoting the discount code 'GO' for the ebook edition, and 'GO-PRINT' for the paperback. Valid until 13th August 2015.