Review of the Year - 2020

Well, I think we all know what 2020 will be known as in the future. But for me as an author, 2020 will also be remembered as the Year of ACE Gamebooks Roleplay, which gives me a good catch-all term for both my gamebooks and RPG line.

Despite only having one major publication this year - 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas* - new foreign editions of my ACE Gamebooks continued to be released, even though trips to Italy and Germany** were both cancelled.

The ACE Gamebooks website received an upgrade, there were numerous online live playthrough of my books, and I released a 5th anniversary edition of Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland, more in line with the hardbacks of the rest of the series.

I have also continued to work on Dracula - Curse of the Vampire, although the tragically premature death of Martin McKenna inevitably delayed the book and forced a search for a new illustrator. Fortunately Hauke Kock has agreed to take on the task of illustrating my longest gamebook yet. If you've not seen it yet elsewhere, here's one of his finished images for the adventure.

2020 saw the release of a number of audiobooks bearing my name, including The Doll's House, The Serpent's Egg, and Wonderland.

Behind the scenes I have also worked on some other interactive fiction-style projects, which I expect will see the light of day next year. I had hoped to submit various short stories to various anthologies, but unfortunately just didn't have the time.***

Currently I am trying to work out which Kickstarters to run when, in order to fund production of the next ACE Gamebook and ACE Gamebooks Roleplay RPG. And between them they are going to take you to different parts of the globe... Expect to see more news before the end of January.

And on that note I would like to wish you a Happy New Year, and here's hoping for a better 2021!

* Print versions of which are available now!

** Along with their associated book launches.

*** Writing a short story takes far longer than the limited word count might have you believe.

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 12: Merry Christmas!

I would just like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and here's hoping for a better 2021!

And if you do happen to receive a copy of 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas today, or have a chance to run a session of 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas, do let me know, either here, or via Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

And please leave a review as well, on DriveThruRPG, or Amazon, or anywhere else for that matter.

Happy Christmas!

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 11: 'TWAS the Soundtrack Before Christmas

What could be better than reading through 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas, or taking part in a session of 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas, than doing so with a soundtrack of appropriate tracks playing in the background?

And for that reason, I have created a 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas Playlist on Spotify.

The order of the tracks effectively follows the order of events in the game, from the exploration of the house at the beginning, followed by the frantic sleigh ride, to the trek through the wintry wilderness, with a stop off at the Snow Queen's castle, and finally the arrival of Santa's workshop and the demonic ritual right at the end.

Don't forget, you can buy 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas here, and 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas here.

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 10: Scrooge and Marley (Deceased)

Happy Solstice Day!

First published three years ago, in 2017, the premise of Scrooge and Marley (Deceased): The Haunted Man was that Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghost of of Jacob Marley work together to solve mysteries of an occult nature within the Victorian world of Charles Dickens' books.

The intention was to write more stories set within this world, and even a gamebook, but the adventures of this pair of occult detectives didn't take off in the way that I had hoped.

I did publish another story, Murder in the Cathedral, and have plotted out four more, but when or if they appear, we will have to wait and see...

     

“I come this night to ask for your help, Ebenezer,” the ghost said.

Scrooge and Marley (Deceased): The Haunted Man

A year on from the events of A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge finds himself visited once again by the ghost of his late business partner, Jacob Marley, who brings with him a new proposition. Just as Marley helped Scrooge to avoid the cruel fate that the last of the Three Spirits foretold, Marley wants Scrooge to help him reduce his time in Purgatory.

And so begins an epic adventure that will see the former friends face off against all manner of phantasms, freaks and fiends, with just one thing at stake… Everything!

      

Scrooge and Marley (Deceased): Murder in the Cathedral

Ebenezer Scrooge and his ghost-hunting partner Jacob Marley (already a ghost himself) visit the cathedral city of Cloisterham in order to investigate the disappearance of a young man... A certain Mr Edwin Drood.

      

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 9: 'TWAS Live!

If you are free around 2:00pm GMT today (Saturday 19 December) why not check out Vicki from Girls That Game's* Twitch stream? She is going to be playing through the fifth ACE Gamebook, 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas.

Vicki has spent a great deal of effort making it look and sound amazing. And if you can't watch it live, don't worry - it will be available to view later on both Twitch and YouTube.

If you're looking for a suitable 'TWAS soundtrack to listen to whilst reading through the gamebook yourself, I would suggest a mixture of the Krampus movie OST, Batman: Arkham Origins, and the Home Alone OST.

Good luck, Vicki! Krampus is on his way...

* Vicki is actually the founder of Girls That Game.

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 8: Christmas Past

Twelve years ago I wrote a festive-themed Ulysses Quicksilver short story, which was published with my third Pax Britannia novel Human Nature.

Christmas Past, as the story was called, featured a murder mystery set in Oxford, or at least the Pax Britannia universe version of the City of Dreaming Spires.

You can still read Christmas Past, as it appears in the Ulysses Quicksilver Omnibus Vol. 1, which is still on sale from Amazon.

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 7: Gaze upon this Festive Feast of Dredd

Available to buy now from Rebellion Publishing is Judge Fear's Big Day Out and Other Stories, edited by Dredd veteran Michael Carroll, which gathers the very best short stories from more than a decade of the Judge Dredd Megazine, including stories by legends Alan Grant, Gordon Rennie and Simon Spurrier, among countless others…

Two of the four short stories of mine that appear in the anthology are festive tales.

You'd Better be Good, for Goodness' Sake... first appeared in Judge Dredd Megazine #355, back in 2014, while Miracle on 34th and Peltzer was published a year later, in 2015, in the bumper Christmas issue of 2000AD. 

 

If you've not read them before, pick up Judge Fear's Big Day Out and Other Stories now.

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 6: Claws

Last weekend was Krampusnacht.

Now, as anyone who has been reading this blog for some time will know, I am a little bit obsessed with Krampus the Christmas Devil. Not only have a written a gamebook that features him as the Big Bad, I have also published a roleplaying game which features him in the same role.

However, I first wrote about Krampus in 2012 for the Ain't No Sanity Clause anthology of festive horror stories, in a tale called Claws.

Here's what one reviewer had to say on Amazon about my story:

"This anthology is a cut above the norm with every story being well written and some approaching perfection. 'Claws' by Jonathan Green, with its shades of the Brothers Grimm, introduces us to a very early traditional Santa and his less welcome counterpart... So evocative is the writing, I was almost shivering along with Gretel in her snowy woodland home despite it being a balmy day in mid May!"

You can download a pdf of Claws here.

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 5: The Krampus Night Before Christmas

Happy Christmas Jumper Day, everyone!

Yes, today's entry in my 12 Days of Christmas is 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas, which was the inspiration for the recently-released 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas.

As the blurb puts it:

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse... 

And then the clock strikes thirteen and you wake to hear a thud downstairs. Investigating, you discover that your home has been invaded by two red-cloaked, and bearded, strangers. Before you know what is happening, Krampus the Christmas Devil has abducted Santa Claus, and it's up to you to save Saint Nick before Christmas Day dawns and the cruel, birch-wielding, goat-leggéd one usurps the generous gift-giver's position, taking his place forever. 

He knows if you've been good or bad, so be good for goodness sake... 

Throughout the course of the adventure, YOU decide which path to take, which risks to brave, and even which of the strange creatures you will meet along the way to engage in battle. Success is by no means certain and you may well fail to complete the adventure at your first attempt. However, with experience, skill, and maybe even a little luck, each new attempt should bring you closer to your ultimate goal. But whether you succeed in your quest will be down to the choices YOU make.

If you would like a signed copy, you can buy a paperback or a hardback direct from the author, but order by Thursday 17th December if you want to ensure you receive you book before Christmas.

Sorry, but the Krampuses (Krampi?) are not for sale.

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 4: Journey of the Magi

Not my most overtly Christmassy tale perhaps, but in my Warhammer 40,000 short story Journey of the Magi, three wise men follow a star...

On an artificial world far from the light of any sun, three sorcerers of the Thousand Sons emerge from a portal. Together, this trio will face ancient horrors – but the prize that awaits them is worth any danger. Long have these three sought the Godstar, piecing together its location from scattered scraps of knowledge. The immortal guardians of the place sleep, but it is not undefended, and the children of Prospero will pay a heavy price for that which they seek as they delve deep into the ancient mysteries of the necrons. 

You can buy Journey of the Magi here, and you can read more about the story here.

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 3: Krampus Kards

Looking for an alternative to the usual Christmas Cards this year? Then why not grab yourself a set of Krampus Kards, featuring 10 of Tony Hough's original illustrations for 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas, but now in glorious technicolour?

One pack of 10 cards includes 10 different designs and 10 envelopes as well and costs just £8 plus post and packing. But hurry - there is a very limited quantity available!

1 pack of 10 Krampus Kards

Just £8 + P&P

Price including post and packing

UK P&P £12.00 GBP Europe £18.00 GBP Rest of World £20.00 GBP

And while you're at it, why not pick up a signed copy of 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas as well?

'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas (paperback)

(£12 including UK P&P)

500 section ACE Gamebook

'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas

UK P&P £12.00 GBP  Europe P&P £23.00 GBP  Rest of World P&P £26.00 GBP

 

'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas (hardback)

(£28 including UK P&P)

500 section ACE Gamebook

'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas

UK P&P £28.00 GBP  Europe P&P £36.00 GBP  Rest of World P&P £43.00 GBP

 

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 2: Gruss vom Krampus

Today is 5th December, which means that this evening is Krampusnacht, the night when the Christmas Devil stalks the streets of Austrian and German mountain settlements, searching for naughty children to whip with his birch switch and carry away to hell in his wicker basket.

Krampusnacht feels more like Halloween than Christmas. To mark this occasion in the winter calendar, men dressed as Krampus drink alcohol, run through the streets, and frighten children. Often, they chase delinquent children around and actually hit them with sticks! The Krampus costume itself traditionally consists of a hand-carved wooden mask and a suit made from sheep or goat skin. Cowbells are worn around the wearer’s hips.

Of course, Krampus is the villain of 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas (which is accepting reviews on Amazon now), but he is also the Big Bad of 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas, which is chock full of Tony Hough's glorious full-colour art and available now from DriveThruRPG.

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 1: Xmas Xplained

Over the years I have written all sorts of books, short stories, and games that have a connection to Christmas. This year, very other day, starting today and running until Christmas, I am going to post about one of them here, starting with...

Christmas Explained: Robins, Kings and Brussel Sprouts

What could make a better gift, this Christmas, than my fact-filled, fun-filled, Christmas cornucopia of curious customs and tremendous traditions?

The Good Book Guide described my book on the history and origins of Christmas as being, "As welcome as a warm glass of mulled wine on a wintry night, Green's guide to Christmas enhances the pleasures of the festive season, offering a witty cornucopia of Christmas facts and folklore."

It would make the ideal gift for a trivia fan, an elderly relative, or for your works Secret Santa. The book comes in a hardback format and with a gold ribbon bookmark too.

In the UK, Christmas Explained: Robins, Kings and Brussel Sprouts is published by Snowbooks*. But if you live on the other side of the pond, the book is available there from Skyhorse Publishing, under the title..

Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Christmas.

* Who else?

Tie-in Tuesday: Free Scarlet Traces eBook

If you sign-up to Rebellion Publishing's newsletter you get a free eBook delivered straight to your inbox every month - and December’s free eBook is Scarlet Traces: An Anthology Based on The War of the Worlds, edited by Ian Edginton.

This wonderful anthology includes stories by Stephen Baxter, I. N. J. Culbard, Adam Roberts, Emma Beeby, James Lovegrove, Nathan Duck, Mark Morris, Dan Whitehead, Chris Roberson, Maura McHugh, Andrew Lane, and Yours Truly.

As a special Christmas treat, they even have a beautiful hardcover copy of Scarlet Traces to give away to one lucky winner! So, if you don't already, sign up for the Rebellion Publishing newsletter now to enter the giveaway.

Gamebook Friday: Bardsung and 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas

Neither of the subjects of today's Gamebook Friday blog post are gamebooks, but they may both be of interest to fans of gamebooks.

In a nutshell, Bardsung is a cooperative RPG dungeon explorer for 1-5 players, from the creators of the Resident Evil™ & Horizon Zero Dawn™ board games. Descend into the depths of an ancient forge, building your dungeon, customising your hero, and creating your legend as you explore in either campaign or one-shot play—no game master needed. RPG immersion meets elegant mechanics in a board game where your choices matter*. Featuring guest writers Rhianna Pratchett, Ian Livingstone, Luke Gygax, Yours Truly & more.

You can find out more about what myself and the other writers are planning here, and you can back the Kickstarter here.

Available now is 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas, the first release from ACE Gamebooks Roleplay and the fruits of my own Kickstarter labours from earlier in the year. Fully illustrated by Tony Hough, it is a labour of love and an object of beauty, and it's not a bad RPG either**.

Currently only available as a PDF, both softcover and hardcover editions will be available soon. You can find out more here.

It's also Black Friday day/weekend/week, so feel free to ignore Amazon and buy some signed copies of my ACE Gamebooks direct from the author!

* In other words, it features gamebook elements within the game design.

** Even if I do say so myself, which I do.