My 2024 Publications in Review

BooksOfM Logo. A black
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!

Published Books in 2024

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

Published Games in 2024

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!



February 18, 2025
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Upcoming Site Changes and Newsletter Migration

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

February 18, 2025
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My Year-End Summary and 2023 Publications

Last year, I wrote in my 2022 year-end review that: “Reflecting on 2021, this year was a time to start shedding everything that wasn’t working for me.” If 2022 was a year of shedding, 2023 was a time of restoration in many, many ways.

This year has been a time to heal, laugh, dance, and revel in my peace while reconnecting with old friends and peers. I am extraordinarily grateful for a wonderful year filled with the kinds of memories that last a lifetime.

Career-wise, my future is still a question mark and yet that beautiful whiteboard of art I want to make regardless is still full. So, I grab my scythe and cut a new path while producing evergreen content and revisiting my hobbies. (I’ve been experimenting more with watercolors, knitting, gardening, and vegetarian cooking. And, I definitely want to return to beadweaving in 2024 pending a restructure/reorganization of supplies.)

2023 didn’t incorporate a ton of publications—and that’s okay! I’m happy to share that I’ve already received word of new publications next year for both fiction and games. Onwards. Woooo!

In this spirit, I’d like to share my releases with you. They are affiliate-linked to pages where you can purchase or find out more information about them. Yep, affiliate links. Because I am an artist and I enjoy food. Hah!

Published Books in 2023

I’ve had a ton of wonderful experiences with my debut poetry collection. Thanks to the indomitable Lao poet, Bryan Thao Worra, I had a great experience reading from this collection at a poetry reading. And, the collection has been discussed by a few poetry groups as well. Was the time and effort to create this collection worth it? Yes, absolutely.

into shadow: a poetic exploration of personal fears, 2023, BookOfM

Published Games in 2023

The 2022 Level 1 Volume Three Anthology from 9th Level Games I contributed to last year was nominated for the Best Free Game/Product in the 2023 ENnie Awards. Huzzah! And, I returned to GameHole Con 2023 to celebrate the 10th year anniversary as a special guest. I had a fabulous time.

LEGIONS OF CARCOSA, The Yellow King, 2023, Pelgrane Press

NOBLES: THE GOLDEN MANDATE, Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn, 2023, Crafty Games



December 14, 2023
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Joining the Pacific Rim RPG Team for a Cinematic Adventure

Heya, I wanted to give you an update that I’m writing a cinematic adventure set in the world of Pacific Rim for Evil Genius Games! The Pacific Rim franchise is something I am having fun re-watching for inspiration. One of the reasons why I love Pacific Rim is because, at its core, it sends a strong message that in order to defeat a mysterious and world-ending threat, we need to overcome our differences and stand together.

From the Legendary Series Kong and Pacific Rim Kickstarter:

The Evil Genius Games team is back with a Double Feature tabletop rpg you won’t want to miss! For our second project, we are releasing two brand new officially licensed cinematic tabletop adventures, utilizing our signature modernized d20 roleplaying system, set in two of our favorite universes — Kong and Pacific Rim. Our Cinematic Adventures were just the beginning. Now, we’re introducing Cinematic Adventure Paths (CAPs) — long-form adventure campaigns using the Everyday Heroes™ system that take your characters from Level 1 to Level 10 across dozens of hours of exhilarating gameplay. CAPs are more than just a guided role-playing experience. In both of these scenarios, you’ll dive into the lore of each world and see places you didn’t see in the films as we introduce new canon into these beloved franchises! Insert yourself into the stories you’re familiar with. With our CAPs, it’s like you’re living the movies.

In Pacific Rim, it’s clear to me “standing together” isn’t just about immense, co-piloted Jaegers tackling Kaiju. It’s also about the Jaeger co-pilots meshing seamlessly, the politicians trying to decide where to allocate funds for the Jaeger program, the diplomats figuring out how to best ally with other countries, the engineers and construction workers building the Jaegers, the scientists and mathematicians studying Kaiju—the list goes on and on. I’m excited to write in this narratively-rich, near-world setting flush with fantastic and memorable characters and heart-thumping fight scenes. Can’t wait to see how my piece of the adventure comes to life!

Updates regarding the adventure path will be provided by Evil Genius Games. If you missed the Kickstarter, you’ll want to read this update about what happens next.

July 3, 2023
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Egypt Bound! February Fungus, Classes, and More!

Egyptian Pyramids

Hello!

I’m traveling to Egypt this year, and have paid a nonrefundable deposit. To help with expenses so I can fulfill my lifelong dream witnesses an ancient, cultural wonder, I’ve been working on a few fundraising efforts I’d like to tell you about.

This month, there’s fungus amongus. I’m participating in @feefal_‘s February #Funguary art challenge. Mushrooms have been posted in a variety of places, but you’ll find them daily on ko-fi/booksofm.

On Saturday, February 11th, I’m teaching a class through the Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers titled: Selling Your Work Online: The Ins and Outs of Internet Retail. It’s a great class mindful of creators who despise sales and marketing.

I’ve just released my debut poetry collection titled into shadow: a poetic exploration of personal fears. This collection was made possible by patreon/booksofm. All new and existing patrons will receive a copy of the eBook as their reward.

On Saturday, March 4th, I’ll be leading Magic & Magic Systems Workshop through Apex Book Company.

Lastly, if none of those efforts appeal to you, you can send me to Egypt. Anyone who supports me on GoFundMe will receive an eBook of pictures from my trip when I return.

I hope there’s something in this smattering of links that tickles your fancy. Thank you!

February 8, 2023
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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.

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