Jonathan Green's Blog, page 87
October 11, 2017
International Day of the Girl 2017
Today is
International Day of the Girl
. Having a daughter myself, I have become more aware of how books are marketed to girls. For example, the other day I stumbled across one all about make-up and waxing and the like, for pre-teens!Why should girls have books about make-up forced upon them while boys get action and adventure and brave heroes saving the day? I know this is an outrageous sweeping generalisation, but it is broadly true.
So it's important to me that two of my recent books are focused on female heroines - Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland and The Wicked Wizard of Oz .
And of course the forthcoming NEVERLAND will focus on a certain Wendy Darling, and that's no coincidence.
I wonder if she's a girl?
October 9, 2017
Thought for the Day
"A writer should have the precision of a poet and the imagination of a scientist."~ Vladimir Nabokov
October 6, 2017
Gamebook Friday: YOU ARE THE HERO Part 2
So backers of the
YOU ARE THE HERO Part 2
Kickstarter project have received their copies of the book and a few reviews have started to appear on Amazon (although there's always room for more).
Here's what a few readers have had to say about the book:
"Jonathan Green has a very friendly writing style in these books, you get the impression of someone excitedly showing you, a friend, all the wonders of his own collection, and it's an enthusiasm that shines through the book."
"It was quite evident that Jon had gained more than enough further information to fill the book with entertaining, educational and inspiring information and interviews which make the book a great read."
"If you, like me, are as obsessed with Fighting Fantasy today as you were all those years ago, then this is clearly a no brainier first day buy."
"It's great to read about the additional fan projects that are in the works... Another plus is the number of full page artworks. Artwork obviously means a lot to FF fans, and to see them in full colour, full page glory is beautiful."
You can leave your own review, or indeed pick up a copy of the book yourself, here . And may your STAMINA never fail!
Here's what a few readers have had to say about the book:
"Jonathan Green has a very friendly writing style in these books, you get the impression of someone excitedly showing you, a friend, all the wonders of his own collection, and it's an enthusiasm that shines through the book.""It was quite evident that Jon had gained more than enough further information to fill the book with entertaining, educational and inspiring information and interviews which make the book a great read."
"If you, like me, are as obsessed with Fighting Fantasy today as you were all those years ago, then this is clearly a no brainier first day buy."
"It's great to read about the additional fan projects that are in the works... Another plus is the number of full page artworks. Artwork obviously means a lot to FF fans, and to see them in full colour, full page glory is beautiful."
You can leave your own review, or indeed pick up a copy of the book yourself, here . And may your STAMINA never fail!
October 5, 2017
Super Thursday
Today is Super Thursday, the day in the publishing calendar when many major publishers release the books they hope you will be buying in the lead up to Christmas. Apparently, 505 new hardbacks will be released today in the UK. I think you'll agree, that's quite a lot of books. And none of them are mine.
However, before the end of the year you can look forward to these three releases which all feature work by Yours Truly.
Frostgrave: Ghost Archipelago: Tales of the Lost Isles
Edited by Joseph A. McCullough and published by Osprey Games (19th October 2017)
The Ghost Archipelago has returned. A vast island chain, covered in the ruins of ancient and otherworldly civilizations, the Archipelago appears every few centuries, far out in the southern ocean.
At such times, pirates, adventurers, wizards, and legendary heroes all descend upon the islands in the hopes of finding lost treasures and powerful artefacts. A few, drawn by the blood of their ancestors, search for the fabled Crystal Pool, whose waters grant abilities far beyond those of normal men.
It is only the bravest, however, who venture into the islands, for they are filled with numerous deadly threats. Cannibal tribes, sorcerous serpent-men, and poisonous water-beasts all inhabit the island ruins, guarding their treasure hordes and setting traps for the unwary.
This book of fiction collects all-new stories set within the Ghost Archipelago, including my own A Nice Little Nest Egg.
You can pre-order your copy of Tales of the Lost Isles here.
Further Associates of Sherlock Holmes Edited by George Mann and published by Titan Books (31st October 2017)
Once again, famous associates of the Great Detective - clients, colleagues and, of course, villains - tell their own stories in this collection of brand-new adventures. Meet Lucy Hebron years after Holmes's only ever failed deduction; follow your nose down the streets of London with Toby the Dog; join Mrs Hudson on her first ever case; greet an ambassador from Mars alongside Lord Holdhurst; and confess your sins to your cellmate, Professor James Moriarty…
My own contribution to this anthology is Sherlock Holmes and the Beast of Bodmin , as related by Sir Henry Baskerville.
You can pre-order your copy of Further Associates of Sherlock Holmes here.
Doctor Who: 100 Illustrated Adventures Published by BBC Children's Books (2nd November 2017)
A brand new guide illustrated with over 100 pieces of original fan art, showcasing the best stories from 54 years of Doctor Who.
Profiling 100 of the most beloved Doctor Who TV stories, this book is filled with essential information and original art drawn by fans themselves. From thousands of entries, the illustrations inside were chosen as winning pieces as part of an official Puffin Doctor Who fan art compeition held in early 2017.
Spanning the First Doctor's era to the Twelfth, this stunning book is a must-have Christmas gift and keepsake for any Doctor Who fan.
I wrote quite a few of the story summaries that feature inside the book, and here's one of them.
You can pre-order your copy of Doctor Who: 100 Illustrated Adventures here.
However, before the end of the year you can look forward to these three releases which all feature work by Yours Truly.
Frostgrave: Ghost Archipelago: Tales of the Lost Isles
Edited by Joseph A. McCullough and published by Osprey Games (19th October 2017)
The Ghost Archipelago has returned. A vast island chain, covered in the ruins of ancient and otherworldly civilizations, the Archipelago appears every few centuries, far out in the southern ocean.At such times, pirates, adventurers, wizards, and legendary heroes all descend upon the islands in the hopes of finding lost treasures and powerful artefacts. A few, drawn by the blood of their ancestors, search for the fabled Crystal Pool, whose waters grant abilities far beyond those of normal men.
It is only the bravest, however, who venture into the islands, for they are filled with numerous deadly threats. Cannibal tribes, sorcerous serpent-men, and poisonous water-beasts all inhabit the island ruins, guarding their treasure hordes and setting traps for the unwary.
This book of fiction collects all-new stories set within the Ghost Archipelago, including my own A Nice Little Nest Egg.
You can pre-order your copy of Tales of the Lost Isles here.
Further Associates of Sherlock Holmes Edited by George Mann and published by Titan Books (31st October 2017)
Once again, famous associates of the Great Detective - clients, colleagues and, of course, villains - tell their own stories in this collection of brand-new adventures. Meet Lucy Hebron years after Holmes's only ever failed deduction; follow your nose down the streets of London with Toby the Dog; join Mrs Hudson on her first ever case; greet an ambassador from Mars alongside Lord Holdhurst; and confess your sins to your cellmate, Professor James Moriarty…My own contribution to this anthology is Sherlock Holmes and the Beast of Bodmin , as related by Sir Henry Baskerville.
You can pre-order your copy of Further Associates of Sherlock Holmes here.
Doctor Who: 100 Illustrated Adventures Published by BBC Children's Books (2nd November 2017)
A brand new guide illustrated with over 100 pieces of original fan art, showcasing the best stories from 54 years of Doctor Who.Profiling 100 of the most beloved Doctor Who TV stories, this book is filled with essential information and original art drawn by fans themselves. From thousands of entries, the illustrations inside were chosen as winning pieces as part of an official Puffin Doctor Who fan art compeition held in early 2017.
Spanning the First Doctor's era to the Twelfth, this stunning book is a must-have Christmas gift and keepsake for any Doctor Who fan.
I wrote quite a few of the story summaries that feature inside the book, and here's one of them.
You can pre-order your copy of Doctor Who: 100 Illustrated Adventures here.
October 2, 2017
Thought for the Day
“Picking five favourite books is like picking the five body parts you’d most like not to lose.”
~ Neil Gaiman
~ Neil Gaiman
September 29, 2017
Gamebook Friday: The Wicked Wizard of Oz at Dragondaze
This Saturday, 30th September 2017, I will be one of the guests attending
Dragondaze
in Newport.Dragondaze is all about playing games, dressing up, having fun and raising money for charity. It's a one day convention celebrating all things gaming - including adventure gamebooks, in the form of The Wicked Wizard of Oz .
If you live in, or near, South Wales, and you're planning on going to Dragondaze , maybe I'll see you there.
September 25, 2017
YOU ARE THE HERO Part 2 correction
When compiling my history of Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, I always strive for accuracy. However, sometimes, mistakes do creep in.
As a result, I must apologise to Alex Siddy for describing him in YOU ARE THE HERO Part 2 as an amateur artist, whereas he is in fact a professional, working as a concept artist and illustrator, something he has been doing for the last five years.
Not only that, but I also neglected to include his website address in the book. You can find his online portfolio, and how to contact him, at www.alexsiddy.co.uk.
The Bloodbeast, from Ian Livingstone's Deathtrap Dungeon,
as reimagined by Alex Siddy.
As a result, I must apologise to Alex Siddy for describing him in YOU ARE THE HERO Part 2 as an amateur artist, whereas he is in fact a professional, working as a concept artist and illustrator, something he has been doing for the last five years.
Not only that, but I also neglected to include his website address in the book. You can find his online portfolio, and how to contact him, at www.alexsiddy.co.uk.
The Bloodbeast, from Ian Livingstone's Deathtrap Dungeon,
as reimagined by Alex Siddy.
Thought for the Day
“When it comes to the past, everyone writes fiction.”
~ Stephen King, Joyland
~ Stephen King, Joyland
September 21, 2017
Steampunk Thursday: Steampunk Essextraordianaire III
This Sunday, 24th September, I will be attending the
Steampunk Essextraordianaire III
, at the Museum of Power in Langford, Essex, from 10:00am until 4:00pm.I shall be selling my Pax Britannia steampunk novels, and my latest ACE Gamebook, The Wicked Wizard of Oz .
Since the books weren't actually delivered to the what was supposed to be the official launch at the UK Games Expo, I suppose that means that the Steampunk Essextraordianaire III will actually be the official launch.
Maybe I'll see you there. Are you ready to return to Oz?
September 19, 2017
International Talk Like a Pirate Day and NEVERLAND
Ahoy, me hearties!
Every year, I mark International Talk Like a Pirate Day with a blog post about my fourth Fighting Fantasy gamebook Bloodbones .
However, this year I am breaking with that tradition - shiver me timbers! - as rapidly approaching on the horizon is a new writing project featuring pirates, and one well-known pirate in particular.
While the Kickstarter page is still being set up and the project prepped for launch next month, you can join the NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters! Facebook group to be kept up to date with developments.
Now batten down the hatches and heave ho - there's a storm comin'!
Every year, I mark International Talk Like a Pirate Day with a blog post about my fourth Fighting Fantasy gamebook Bloodbones .
However, this year I am breaking with that tradition - shiver me timbers! - as rapidly approaching on the horizon is a new writing project featuring pirates, and one well-known pirate in particular.
While the Kickstarter page is still being set up and the project prepped for launch next month, you can join the NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters! Facebook group to be kept up to date with developments.
Now batten down the hatches and heave ho - there's a storm comin'!
