See You at Gen Con 2026!

Gen Con Writers Symposium

Events for this year’s Gen Con opened for registration and tickets for my events are almost sold out. You can click on Valentinelli at Gen Con Indy to find my workshops. I am running a two-hour workshop titled “Tarot for Storytellers,” and a four-hour workshop with Scott Lynch and Brandon O’Brien titled “Pitch Us Your Game Take Two.” I am also hosting a koffeeklatch, too!

If any event is sold out, please don’t be afraid to come anyway. Sometimes, people drop out our schedules shift and I’d like to make time for you. For my sold out koffeeklatch, feel free to come anyway and I will schedule extra time for you.

Don’t know what to chat about? If you’ve taken one of my workshops, I’m interested to hear how your writing is coming along. This year, I will also be bringing some enamel pins for trade. Huzzah! I am also taking recommendations for fude (also referred to as bent nib) fountain pens, witchy hats, fun vinyl stickers, and solo journaling games.

Thank you to everyone who already booked tickets for my events. I appreciate it!

To keep in touch, don’t forget to sign up for Monica’s Marvelous Musings.

Huzzah!



New Solo Journaling Game! Shards of Remorsica Unfolds on Patreon

Shards of Remorsica | a solo journaling fantasy game for artists and writers | patreon.com/booksofm

Today, I’m pleased to announce a new months-long project unfolding on Patreon. Titled “Shards of Remorsica,” I’m designing a high-fantasy solo journaling game powered by tarot for artists and writers.

In Shards of Remorsica, you play a solo journaling game answering prompts and shuffling cards. Your character is a mythical creature who once thrived aeons ago–but you don’t know which type you are or what magical powers you hold. Reduced to consciousness, you rebuild yourself one day at a time.

As a narrative designer, I’m really excited about this project and its potential for new and existing creators. I hope that you’ll join my Patreon to walk with me on this journey. My first rewards for Patrons were released in May: I’ve offered a draft of the cover and my initial brainstorming notes. There’s a lot more to come!

Patrons will receive a complimentary copy of the game when it’s released. There may be additional rewards as this project progresses. Unlike into shadow: a poetic exploration of personal fears, which was a month-long Patreon project, or Pinching Tarts, a Wonderland-themed game I designed for PocketQuest, Shards of Remorsica’s development will unfold month-by-month until the game has been playtested and polished for publication.

I hope you’ll join me and my existing patrons at patreon.com/booksofm on a journey of mythical discovery.

Until next time,

Monica Valentinelli




This post contains DriveThruRPG.com affiliate links.

[New Release] Tarot for Storytellers is Available on DriveThru!

Tarot for Storytellers is a full-color eBook written by author, narrative designer, and FlamesRising.com contributor Monica Valentinelli (World of Darkness, Cyberpunk RED, Shadowrun: Court of Shadows, etc.). The eBook is jam-packed with prompts, guidance, and examples to teach you how to develop new characters, plots, and setting using a deck of tarot cards.

Tarot for Storytellers includes:

* 10 writing exercises
* Lots of examples
* Brief history of tarot
* Tarot card meanings
* Shapes of narratives
* Additional uses for games
* Recommended resources
* …and more!

Inspired by my popular writing workshop presented at the Gen Con Writer’s Symposium, the Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers, and Clarion West, this how-to book is beginner-friendly and can be used by authors or game masters.

Download Tarot for Storytellers on DriveThruFiction.com, DriveThruCards, or DriveThruRPG!

Please note: A deck of tarot cards is not required to use this book. In the Resources section, links to free online tarot card decks are provided.



Exciting August 2025 Reward Preview for Patreon!

Tarot for Storytellers Draft | August 2025 BooksOfM Patreon Reward | Perfect for Authors and GMs | Based on Monica's Popular Writing Workshop | eBook Written by Monica Valentinelli

In just a few days, at the Gen Con: Writer’s Symposium, I’ll be running my popular Tarot for Storytellers writing workshop. I’ve ran this workshop at Gen Con and online through Clarion West and the Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers.

I’ve had a great response and wonderful feedback! So, I wrote an eBook inspired by this workshop! The draft of Tarot for Storytellers will be available to my patrons through patreon.com/booksofm in August. I’ve also shared the draft with my fabulous crit partner, too.

If you’d like to join my Patreon, you’re more than welcome! If not, I’ll be sure to make an announcement when the eBook is edited, laid out, and available for purchase.

Cheers!



Presenting at World Con: Seattle

I have confirmed I will be presenting at World Con: Seattle this year. I’m pleased to share a draft schedule with you. I may have additional panels or other events, but so far these are confirmed.

Wednesday, August 13

Researching the Occult and the Paranormal
4:30-5:30 p.m. How can we research practices such as Witchcraft, Santeria and paranormal phenomena to incorporate into our stories? Reading books is one thing, but respect is paramount and caution is necessary.

Thursday, August 14

Table Talks 22
Come and chat with me and a bevy of wonderful creators from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Writing for Games Workshop

Writing for games sounds appealing – but how do you get started doing so? What do you need to know about how game systems work? What if you want to adapt your own work into a game? I’ve planned this session, which lasts from from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., to accommodate attendee’s needs so they feel confident entering the world of game writing. Does include a break!

Friday, August 15th

Gamifying your IP

10:30 to 11:30 a.m. You’ve published a book, a series, a saga… and now you’d like other people to be able to play in your world. What does it take to translate a book or video game to a Table Top RPG? I’ll be moderating this one!

If you’d like to schedule a meet-up, please reach out before the show. Thank you!

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