On the backend, we’re working on a new website! There’s been a lot of changes in website design and programming, and I need to modernize. So please, pardon my dust while we chip away at a new site!
In the meantime, you can sign up for my monthly newsletter here: booksofm.beehiiv.com
2024 has been a wonderful year to rebuild and grow. I’ve re-established a wonderful baseline for my writing practice, presented at the Gen Con Writer’s Symposium and Game Hole Con, taught an online workshop through Clarion West, and began blogging again at FlamesRising.com. I also recently celebrated a partnership with the Corvisiero Agency, too! Additionally, I was happy to explore a year-long theme of journalling prompts through this newsletter while making space to practice my art.
Personally, 2024 was a great year to focus on my mental and physical health. I’m incredibly lucky and happy that I have lots of support. Now that I’m gearing up for the next phase of my nefarious career, I’ve decided to pull back from volunteering with the exception of local efforts. Onwards and upwards!
Following last year’s debut of my poetry collection, I released a print edition of into shadow: a poetic exploration of personal fears. Additionally, two collections featured my fiction. Both books are available wherever fine works are sold.
“Mythica D’Argent: Treatise Pertaining to the Mysterious of Silver”, The Dagon Collection, 2024, PS Publishing
“Crossed for Gold,” GO HARD OR GO HOME, a Car Warriors Autoduel Chronicles Anthology, 2024, Three Ravens Publishing
This year, I participated in PocketQuest, an indie game design jam sponsored by DriveThruRPG.com. This program spurred me to create an Alice-in-Wonderland themed game called “Pinching Tarts” and two gaming aids. When I first wrote this recap, back in December, I mentioned how I learned a lot from this experience and publishing my own game has factored into my goals for next year. Those goals may shift and change, however, depending on what happens to the seeds I’ve planted.
LEVEL ONE 2024 Volume 5, “Help BD738 Slash Run,” 2024, 9th Level Games
PINCHING TARTS, 2024, BooksOfM
GUARD CARDS for Pinching Tarts, 2024, BooksOfM
CREATURE SHEETS for Pinching Tarts, 2024, BooksOfM
What’s next for me? Stay tuned and find out!
Dear Reader,
Sending you a brief note that I have migrated my newsletter, which includes posts and subscribers, to a new provider called Beehiiv. The design is “in progress,” but the links should be set up. Current subscribers have received an email shortly notifying them about the change. My Substack will remain active for 30 days and will then be deleted on Wednesday, March 5th. If you are a new subscriber, you can click here to follow me on that platform.
I also wanted to let you know that I am working with a developer on a new website. I anticipate that’ll launch sometime this year–hopefully, before convention season begins.
Warmly,
Monica
Hello excellent and admirable readers! I will be attending GameHole Con 11 to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Dungeons and Dragons! This year, I’m speaking on panels, running adventures I designed for Pinching Tarts and Scarred Lands 5th Edition, and a fun DMsGuild.com adventure called Sweet Dreams are Made of Cheese by the amazing Jamie Chan. I can’t wait to play D&D and enjoy a little cheesy fun!
All times listed are in CST. For more information, or to register for an event, please visit the Game Hole Con website.
Thursday, October 17th, 2024
10 am: Save Alice from the Red Queen for Pinching Tarts (2 hours)
1 pm: Eyes of Spiragos for Scarred lands 5th Edition (3 hours)
Friday, October 18th, 2024
10 am: Running Games at Conventions (1 hour)
2 pm: How to Speak Creator (1 hour)
7 pm: How Did You Get Published (1 hour)
Saturday, October 19th, 2024
10 am: One Page RPG Indie Game Design Jam – Dragon theme! (2 hours)
2 pm: Eyes of Spiragos for Scarred lands 5th Edition (3 hours)
7 pm: Sweet Dreams are made of Cheese for D&D 5th Edition (3 hours)
Sunday, October 20th, 2024
11 am: Save Alice from the Red Queen for Pinching Tarts (2 hours)
Hope to see you there!
The indie RPG scene is a diverse, fascinating, and vibrant part of the TTRPG community. With Level 1: The Indie RPG Anthology, 9th Level Games brings together choice games from the world of indie RPGs in an annual collection published in time for Free RPG Day.
The 2024 edition of Level 1 is themed around “Command Line.” This year’s designers take us to the internet, the future, and other worlds. We have abandoned Discord servers, viruses, robots, and even golems. We have hacking simulations and a simulation of hacking. You can become a god, an outer space pet, or, as predicted, a hacker.
So strap on your keyboard, and get ready to jack into the net, chummer!
Download for free Level 1 Vol 5 2024 today!
With games by Richard Kevis, Josh Feldblyum, J.D. Harlock, Null Set Tabletop, Alex Koeberl, Christian Young, Gabriel Slye, Brian Hartwig, Alex Gickler, Eden Collins, Nick Grinstead, Tim “Strato” Bailey, Glenn Dallas, Carlos Hernandez, Jon Maness, Calvin Johns, Jonathon ‘Starshine’ Greenall, Monica Valentinelli, Luckycrane, and Michael Cremisius Gibson.