My 2020 List of Publications

Hiya readers!

This year has been chaotic at the best of times and a slow burn at the worst. I’ve spent much of this year in quarantine applying for gigs, restructuring behind-the-scenes, volunteering, taking online classes, and teaching game writing when I can.

Stories

“Feasting on Twilight after Dark”, for DEATH IS NOT THE END, a Geist 2nd Edition anthology, 2020, Onyx Path Publishing/Paradox Interactive

“Scritch, Scratch”, for HAUNTING SHADOWS, a Wraith the Oblivion 20th Anniversary Edition anthology, 2020, Onyx Path Publishing/Paradox Interactive

Games

For games, I had three interactive fiction pieces published this year in addition to my regular RPG work–two of which were for a middle grade readership!

The Case of the Multiplying Bunnies, 2020, Wonder Stories app

The Case of the Popped Balloons, 2020, Wonder Stories app

Underwater Memories (with music), 2020, Sub-Q Magazine

DARK ERAS 2, Chronicles of Darkness, 2020, Onyx Path Publishing/Paradox Interactive (Lead Developer)

CONTAGION CHRONICLE, Chronicles of Darkness, 2020, Onyx Path Publishing/Paradox Interactive

This year is also bittersweet. After many years, I’m winding down my work with Onyx Path Publishing and am looking forward to the next chapter and new opportunities for my career.

Essays and Nonfiction

WisCon Chronicles: Boundaries & Bridges (Essayist)




Now Available! Read about 5 Magical Creatures on Charmed at Tor.com

Hello, everyone! I’m so pleased to mention you can read Five Fascinating Magical Creatures that Debuted in the Original Charmed on Tor.com. I wanted to write this post as a follow-up to talk about my love as a fan of classic Charmed and the new show that debuted in Fall 2018.

Classic Charmed gives me a lot of fond memories. It was a show that broke a lot of ground for both female empowerment and the positive depiction of magical women. After watching the new Charmed show, I have a lot of feelings about what could still be done to bridge the gap between the two. I do feel both are strong shows—certainly, the new Charmed explores powerful interpersonal relationships, contemporary themes, and authentic practitioners—that approach story and setting very differently. Classic Charmed‘s narrative arc had more space and the stakes swelled with each season, but they were small and more personal in the beginning. The new Charmed, on the other hand, has a LOT of story in every season that significantly changes the world, the characters, and the stakes are very high.

That (ultra-high stakes) is an approach I fear will smother the show by the end of a third season.

Though I regard each show to stand on its own merits and can be critiqued separately, I want to point out that all of the actresses did a great job exploring witchiness from their characters’ perspectives. I do think there is one improvement that can be made to satisfy both older fans and new ones while giving a little oomph to the possibility of more seasons. One word: CROSSOVER! Why not lean into the parallel/alternate universes aspect they’ve already introduced? Wouldn’t that be awesome! Hell, I’d write a crossover miniseries (2-6 episodes) that bridges the best of both shows while introducing a new wrinkle going forward. Do I have ideas? Hah. YUP!

Regardless, I hope the crossover idea would be/has been considered for many, many reasons. There’s a really powerful statement that can be made by showing the true power of witchy sisterhood is not only intergenerational, it’s also intersectional.

More on Paracelsus

In my Tor.com article, I mentioned Paracelsus when talking about gnomes. Paracelsus is/was a key and controversial historical figure, both as an alchemist and physician, but he was also extremely misogynistic and racist even among his contemporaries because he drew from medieval perspectives. For example, there was a pervasive medieval view shared by physicians, such as Ambrose Pare, that women were responsible for the birth of monsters. I covered him more in depth for my newsletter subscribers at: https://booksofm.substack.com. You can join the conversation there. Yay!

Again: Thanks so much for reading and supporting my debut Tor.com article! EVEN MORE YAY!

Save the Date! Learn Campaign Planning with Gaming Veteran Valentinelli

Captain Whinypants Saves the Day

Did you know the elements of campaign planning are rooted in narrative design? In this workshop, gaming veteran Monica Valentinelli introduces her “Spiderweb Method” for campaign planning and walks you through how to use it for longer story arcs. Also included is a list of tips and tricks to help manage your players to avoid railroading, give them what they want, but keep your story on track.

This workshop is appropriate for first-time or veteran GMs. Fans of Monica’s work will be familiar with the concept introduced in the Kobold Guide to Game Mastering.

Classes through the Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers are taught online and require a reliable Internet connection, although in the past participants have logged on from coffee shops, cafes, and even an airplane; a webcam is suggested but not required.

Date: Next class date is Saturday, December 12, 2020, 9:30-11:30 AM Pacific Time.

Cost: $99 ($79 for returning students and Patreon supporters, which includes classes/workshops with the Cat Rambo Academy in other venues, such as conference or convention workshops and mentoring sessions).

To sign up for this class, visit: Planning Your Tabletop RPG Campaign with Monica Valentinelli. Your email will be sent to the class administrator, Cat Rambo.






Looking for Monica’s books and games that are still in print? Visit Monica Valentinelli on Amazon’s Author Central or a bookstore near you.

Archives

Back to Top