Jonathan Green's Blog, page 46
March 5, 2020
March 2, 2020
Thought for the Day
"I think that the moment at which I'm happiest in my life is when I'm writing a book, and I can feel it's working."~ Salman Rushdie
March 1, 2020
Dracula - Curse of the Vampire
Dracula - Curse of the Vampire
is now live on Kickstarter.
It is appropriate that my sixth ACE Gamebook should launch today, on Sunday 1st March 2020 , seeing as today is St David's Day. And what do people think of when they think of St David's Day?
Wales!
And what do people think of when they think of Wales, and the Welsh flag in particular?
Dragons!
And what does 'Dracula' mean?
Well one possible translation is 'Son of the Dragon'.
Don't forget, everyone who backs the Kickstarter within the first 24 hours, and selects a reward level that includes a physical copy of the gamebook, will also receive a copy of The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna artbook, absolutely free!
The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna. [Cover art not final.]
It is appropriate that my sixth ACE Gamebook should launch today, on Sunday 1st March 2020 , seeing as today is St David's Day. And what do people think of when they think of St David's Day?
Wales!
And what do people think of when they think of Wales, and the Welsh flag in particular?
Dragons!
And what does 'Dracula' mean?
Well one possible translation is 'Son of the Dragon'.
Don't forget, everyone who backs the Kickstarter within the first 24 hours, and selects a reward level that includes a physical copy of the gamebook, will also receive a copy of The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna artbook, absolutely free!
The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna. [Cover art not final.]February 28, 2020
Gamebook Friday: Sir John Tenniel's 200th Birthday
As
Google
informed me this morning, today would have been Sir John Tenniel's 200th birthday, if he were still alive*.
Sir John Tenniel was, of course, the original illustrator of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel, Through the Looking-Glass, And What Alice Found There.
Artist Kev Crossley created his own homage to Tenniel when he drew Alice's encounter with the Cheshire Cat for Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland , and which ended up being used on the cover of the first ACE Gamebook .
Well now you can also have Kev's awesome artwork adorning your wardrobe. Simply click the image below and shop 'til you drop.
* Which, let's face it, would be pretty impressive.
Sir John Tenniel was, of course, the original illustrator of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel, Through the Looking-Glass, And What Alice Found There.
Artist Kev Crossley created his own homage to Tenniel when he drew Alice's encounter with the Cheshire Cat for Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland , and which ended up being used on the cover of the first ACE Gamebook .
Well now you can also have Kev's awesome artwork adorning your wardrobe. Simply click the image below and shop 'til you drop.
* Which, let's face it, would be pretty impressive.
Gamebook Friday: Dracula - Curse of the Vampire
Dracula - Curse of the Vampire
launches on Kickstarter in just two days' time, at 1:00pm (GMT)
on Sunday 1st March 2020
.
As well as backing early, to ensure you receive a copy of The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna artbook, there are a number of limited rewards which are sure to go quickly.
These include the VAMPIRE HUNTER level reward, which is limited to 20 backers, and which comes with a pre-release play-test copy of Dracula - Curse of the Vampire , and an official play-tester credit.
Then there's the VAMPIRE COUNT level reward, limited to only 10 backers. Back at this level and you will have your likeness (or that of another person of your choosing) included in one of Martin McKenna's illustrations. You will also receive a special print of that illustration.
And then there's the NOSFERATU level reward. This is only open to one person but, in addition to all their other rewards, that person will have Dracula - Curse of the Vampire dedicated to them, or another person of their choosing.
So set an alarm now, for 1:00pm (GMT) on Sunday 1st March 2020 , to make sure you snap up your preferred reward from the Dracula - Curse of the Vampire Kickstarter.
As well as backing early, to ensure you receive a copy of The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna artbook, there are a number of limited rewards which are sure to go quickly.
These include the VAMPIRE HUNTER level reward, which is limited to 20 backers, and which comes with a pre-release play-test copy of Dracula - Curse of the Vampire , and an official play-tester credit.
Then there's the VAMPIRE COUNT level reward, limited to only 10 backers. Back at this level and you will have your likeness (or that of another person of your choosing) included in one of Martin McKenna's illustrations. You will also receive a special print of that illustration.
And then there's the NOSFERATU level reward. This is only open to one person but, in addition to all their other rewards, that person will have Dracula - Curse of the Vampire dedicated to them, or another person of their choosing.
So set an alarm now, for 1:00pm (GMT) on Sunday 1st March 2020 , to make sure you snap up your preferred reward from the Dracula - Curse of the Vampire Kickstarter.
February 24, 2020
Thought for the Day
"Children's books are important. Important economically (Harry Potter is worth more than most industries). Important culturally (name a better expression of our best side than the Paddington movies). But most of all they are important to our children."
~ Frank Cottrell-Boyce
~ Frank Cottrell-Boyce
February 21, 2020
Gamebook Friday: Dracula - Curse of the Vampire
Dracula - Curse of the Vampire
launches on Kickstarter in eight days' time, at 1:00pm (GMT)
on Sunday 1st March 2020
.
The initial funding goal is £10,000, which is clearly a lot of money.
However, that initial funding goal will only cover the cost of six full-page illustrations. So to encourage backers to spread the word and encourage other people to back the Kickstarter, there are a number of Stretch Goals, specifically to pay for more artwork.
If we hit Stretch Goal #2, as well as the book having 12 full-page illustrations, everyone who backs at the £10 Wolf level (to receive the eBook edition of Dracula - Curse of the Vampire ) and above will also receive a bonus short story called The Un-Dead .
And if we hit Stretch Goal #4, as well as the book having 20 full-page illustrations, everyone who backs at the £10 Wolf level and above will also receive an entire bonus adventure called Dracula 2021 .
So set an alarm for 1:00pm (GMT) on Sunday 1st March 2020 , ready to back Dracula - Curse of the Vampire on Kickstarter, and don't forget to tell all your friends.
And remember, everyone who backs the Kickstarter within the first 24 hours, and selects a reward level that includes a physical copy of the gamebook, will also receive a copy of The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna artbook, absolutely free!
The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna. [Cover art not final.]
The initial funding goal is £10,000, which is clearly a lot of money.
However, that initial funding goal will only cover the cost of six full-page illustrations. So to encourage backers to spread the word and encourage other people to back the Kickstarter, there are a number of Stretch Goals, specifically to pay for more artwork.
If we hit Stretch Goal #2, as well as the book having 12 full-page illustrations, everyone who backs at the £10 Wolf level (to receive the eBook edition of Dracula - Curse of the Vampire ) and above will also receive a bonus short story called The Un-Dead .
And if we hit Stretch Goal #4, as well as the book having 20 full-page illustrations, everyone who backs at the £10 Wolf level and above will also receive an entire bonus adventure called Dracula 2021 .
So set an alarm for 1:00pm (GMT) on Sunday 1st March 2020 , ready to back Dracula - Curse of the Vampire on Kickstarter, and don't forget to tell all your friends.
And remember, everyone who backs the Kickstarter within the first 24 hours, and selects a reward level that includes a physical copy of the gamebook, will also receive a copy of The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna artbook, absolutely free!
The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna. [Cover art not final.]February 19, 2020
100 days until the UK Games Expo 2020
Unbelievably, there are just 100 days to go until the
UK Games Expo 2020
.
The UK Games Expo
is one of only two fixed events in my con-going calendar, along with Dragonmeet, and this year it is taking place from Friday 29th - Sunday 31st May 2020.
ACE Gamebooks will be there, with two titles new to the UK Games Expo - Beowulf Beastslayer and 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas .
I am writing something for the event programme again this year, and I am hoping I might be able to persuade the Vikings of Ardenweard to stop by my stand for a photo op with Beowulf Beastslayer but I'm also planning on bringing Christmas to summer half term with 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas .
One of the things I love about the event is the fact that in the evenings I can socialise with friends in the industry. As well as going for meals and cocktails/beers, this year I am also attending James Wallis's The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen and Olly McNeil's Ian Livingstone’s Deathtrap Dungeon LIVE . If you are attending the UK Games Expo this year, I would recommend that you do the same.
ACE Gamebooks will be there, with two titles new to the UK Games Expo - Beowulf Beastslayer and 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas .
I am writing something for the event programme again this year, and I am hoping I might be able to persuade the Vikings of Ardenweard to stop by my stand for a photo op with Beowulf Beastslayer but I'm also planning on bringing Christmas to summer half term with 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas .
One of the things I love about the event is the fact that in the evenings I can socialise with friends in the industry. As well as going for meals and cocktails/beers, this year I am also attending James Wallis's The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen and Olly McNeil's Ian Livingstone’s Deathtrap Dungeon LIVE . If you are attending the UK Games Expo this year, I would recommend that you do the same.
February 17, 2020
Thought for the Day
"But words are things, and a small drop of ink,Falling, like dew, upon a thought produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions think."
~ Lord Byron
February 14, 2020
Gamebook Friday: Dracula - Curse of the Vampire
There are now just 16 days left until
Dracula - Curse of the Vampire
goes live on Kickstarter
on Sunday 1st March 2020
.
Many people don't like to commit to a Kickstarter project such as this one until they have been able to sample the adventure itself. And so, with that in mind, here is a link to read the opening of Jonathan Harker's adventure.
Like some of my other ACE Gamebooks , you can play Dracula - Curse of the Vampire as one several different characters - Jonathan Harker, Mina Murray, Dr John Seward, and even as Count Dracula himself!
However, the way it varies from my other books is in the way that, if you play as one of the vampire-hunters, you can switch backwards and forwards between the three characters throughout the adventure. You could choose to just play through the book as Jonathan Harker, but equally you could experience it as Harker, Mina, and Dr Seward, all in the one play-through.
Remember, everyone who backs the Dracula - Curse of the Vampire Kickstarter within the first 24 hours, and selects a reward level that includes a physical copy of the gamebook, will also receive a copy of The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna artbook for free!
The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna. [Cover art not final.]
So set an alarm now, for 1:00pm on Sunday 1st March 2020 .
Many people don't like to commit to a Kickstarter project such as this one until they have been able to sample the adventure itself. And so, with that in mind, here is a link to read the opening of Jonathan Harker's adventure.
Like some of my other ACE Gamebooks , you can play Dracula - Curse of the Vampire as one several different characters - Jonathan Harker, Mina Murray, Dr John Seward, and even as Count Dracula himself!
However, the way it varies from my other books is in the way that, if you play as one of the vampire-hunters, you can switch backwards and forwards between the three characters throughout the adventure. You could choose to just play through the book as Jonathan Harker, but equally you could experience it as Harker, Mina, and Dr Seward, all in the one play-through.
Remember, everyone who backs the Dracula - Curse of the Vampire Kickstarter within the first 24 hours, and selects a reward level that includes a physical copy of the gamebook, will also receive a copy of The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna artbook for free!
The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna. [Cover art not final.]So set an alarm now, for 1:00pm on Sunday 1st March 2020 .
