Gamebook Friday: Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Yes, it's that time again - it's Talk Like a Pirate Day!

So I would just like to remind you that my Dinosaurs Vs. Pirates Vs. the End of the World ACE Gamebook NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters! is available to buy now, either as a physical paperback or as a PDF.

Gamebook Friday: Terra Do Nuncassauro

Peter Pan flew into Brazil this week, when Terra Do Nuncassauro - the Portuguese language edition of NEVERLAND: Here Be Monsters! - launched at CCXP, the biggest pop culture event in the country, running from 4th-8th December 2024.

I love the cover art, which reimagines Kev Crossley's original designs for the characters in the adventure. Not only that, but it is actually a wraparound cover, and on the back can be seen a feathered dinosaur.

So, if you are a Portuguese language speaker, or a dedicated collector, keep a close eye on the Jambô Editora website to see when Terra Do Nuncassauro goes on general release.

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

As it's International Talk Like a Pirate Day, it seems like a good time to remind everyone that in the ACE Gamebook NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters! you can play as pirate Captain Hook himself.

You can buy the book through Amazon or the PDF through DriveThruRPG.

Arrrrr! 

Happy Asteroid Day!

I learned this morning that 30 June is Asteroid Day. It is held on the anniversary of the Tunguska event in 1908, when an asteroid leveled 2,150 square kilometres of forest in Siberia.

WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!

I remember reading a Primeval tie-in novel by Dan Abnett, called Extinction Event (2009), which had dinosaurs entering our world through an Anomaly at the site of the Tunguska event. A similar idea, that of a massive explosion causing cracks in time, also featured in the Doctor Who episode The Fires of Pompei (2008).

This was a concept I played with when I wrote NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters! Without giving too much away, the reason there are dinosaurs running around Neverland is because the Chicxulub asteroid that casued the extinction level event that wiped out those ancient beasts also caused fractures in time. These fractures rippled across time, meaning that Captain Hook and his pirates from the Golden Age of Piracy and the sinking of the Titanic survivor Wendy Darling, as well as dinosaurs, mammoth, and sabretooth tigers, can all visit the island at the same time.

So, to mark Asteroid Day. why not pick up a copy of NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters! or leave a review of the gamebook on Amazon? After all, every little helps!

NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters!

J. M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan and Wendy, was born 161 years ago yesterday. And it was that particular book that I decided to give an ACE Gamebooks' makeover for the third title in the ever-growing series*. 

I find it hard to believe that NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters! was published two years ago (on 1st June) but it remains one of the ACE Gamebooks of which I am most proud.

If you've never sampled its delights before, don't be put off my the fact that it's inspired by Peter Pan. It's also inspired by Sir Conan Doyle's The Lost World and movies like King Kong and Jurassic Park. Let's put it this way - it certainly isn't twee in any way.

On the 15th April, 1912, during her maiden voyage, the RMS Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg. 1,503 people died, including passengers and crew. But 706 people survived, among them Wendy Darling and her dog Nana...

Separated from the rest of her family, Wendy's lifeboat is washed up on the shore of a mysterious island – a place lost in time – home to creatures long thought extinct, a forgotten tribe, and a boy who can never grow up. But the notorious pirate Captain James Hook and his crew have also found their way to Neverland, and the island is angry...

*     *     *     *     *

In NEVERLAND – Here Be Monsters!, YOU decide which route to take, which perils to risk, and which of the island’s strange, prehistoric denizens to fight. Play as shipwreck survivor Wendy Darling, automaton avenger Peter Pan, heroic hunter Tiger Lily, or plundering pirate Captain James Hook. But be warned – whether you succeed in your quest or meet a dire end will be down to the choices YOU make.

Will you manage to escape from Neverland?

You can watch Dennis Chang's in-depth critique of the adventure below, and you can even pick up the PDF version from DriveThruRPG.

* ACE Gamebooks #7 is coming to Kickstarter soon, so watch this space!

NEVERLAND - Here Be Colouring Books!

Coming soon from Snowbooks...

Email emma@snowbooks.com for your exclusive first printing copy!

Gamebook Friday: NEVERLAND - Here Be Pirates!

Tomorrow, Saturday 19th September, is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, so today seemed like the perfect occasion to plug my pirate-themed ACE Gamebook NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters!

In fact, I have a flash sale on. You can buy a signed copy direct from me, with playable character bookmarks included, for £10. And if you live in the UK, postage is free!

NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters!

900 section gamebook

Signed by the author

4 playable character bookmarks

Post and packing

UK £10.00 GBP Europe £20.00 GBP Rest of World £28.00 GBP

Think you know Peter Pan? Think again!

NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters! launches today!

At times it's felt like it's been almost 65 million years in the making, but at long last, my latest ACE Gamebook NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters!, is published today!

On the 15^th April, 1912, during her maiden voyage, the RMS Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg. 1,503 people died, including passengers and crew. But 706 people survived, among them Wendy Darling and her dog Nana...

Separated from the rest of her family, Wendy's lifeboat is washed up on the shore of a mysterious island – a place lost in time – home to creatures long thought extinct, a forgotten tribe, and a boy who can never grow up.

But the notorious pirate Captain James Hook and his crew have also found their way to Neverland, and the island is angry...

In NEVERLAND – Here Be Monsters! YOU decide which route to take, which perils to risk, and which of the island’s strange, prehistoric denizens to fight. Play as shipwreck survivor Wendy Darling, automaton avenger Peter Pan, heroic hunter Tiger Lily, or plundering pirate Captain James Hook. But be warned – whether you succeed in your quest or meet a dire end will be down to the choices YOU make.

Will you manage to escape from Neverland?

You will be able to pick up a signed copy of NEVERLAND – Here Be Monsters! at Stand 2-640, from Yours Truly, complete with a collectible bookmark.

So maybe I'll see you there...

Happy Birthday, J. M. Barrie!

J. M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan and Wendy, was born 159 years ago today. More recently, of course, I was inspired to re-imagine his characters and their story as an adventure gamebook, in which the island of Neverland is populated by more monstrous reptiles other than just one giant crocodile.

NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters! goes on general release on Saturday 1st June and you can pre-order your copy here.

Gamebook Friday: 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas

We've had some glorious weather over the last week or more, here in the UK, so what else would I have been doing, other than editing a gamebook set in an arctic wilderness at Christmas time?

Anyway, I am feeling rather pleased with myself this morning, as I have reached another milestone in getting 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas ready for publication. Today I finished the first pass edit, which means that I am now ready to print out and proofread the gamebook right the way through, from beginning to end. What was only supposed to be a fun 300 section festive frolic, has turned into another 500 section monster. But it could be worse - at least it isn't 900 sections long!

Once I've completed my own proofread and play-test, and made any necessary changes to the master document, I will muddle up the sections, re-structure the book, and then it will be ready to send out to the other proofreaders and play-testers.

If you missed the original Kickstarter campaign, it's not too late to place a late pledge. Simply follow the instructions here.

And if you think a gamebook about rescuing Father Christmas, featuring elves and fairies, sounds a little childish, rest assured, it is as dark and  mature as any of my other adventure gamebooks, as this reader in America recently discovered when they received their backer copy of NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters!

"Neverland: Here Be Monsters! is an amazing journey as one of four different characters. Will you be Wendy Darling? Maybe the classic Peter Pan? The amazing Tiger Lily? Or even Captain Hook. The characters aren't exactly like the book and movies that we've enjoyed and loved before. Rather, they are a twist on the classics. The story is enjoyable, with many options, twists, and turns. You might encounter Giant Serpents and Sabre-Tooth Tigers, or Saurian Lizards and a Colossal Crocodile. Either way, it is sure to be an adventure that you won't soon forget. If you are wanting to give modern gamebooks or choose-you-own adventure style books a chance, this is a great one to get started with."

Happy St George's Day!

Today is a day for remembering when a Turkish knight killed a Libyan dragon, thereby ensuring he would be venerated as the patron saint of England*.

When people first stumbled across dinosaur bones, they mistook them for the ossified remains of dragons. And many of those 'dragons' have made it into my latest ACE Gamebook, NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters! Here's what one reader had to say about it:

"A worthy addition to the series. This book will be an awfully big adventure for those looking to dive into this twist on a familiar tale." - 5 stars

And while I'm in book-plugging mode, today it also Shakespeare's deathday (and probably his birthday). To mark the occasion, why not pick up a copy of Shakespeare Vs Cthulhu, a collection of fifteen stories of eldritch horror that blend the Bard's most famous plays with Lovecraft's most terrifying creations?

* I wonder how many of the Brexit rabble will be hanging English flags out of their windows today, unaware that they are celebrating the achievements of someone from Turkey?

Last Chance for Late Pledges

If you missed the Kickstarter for my latest ACE Gamebook NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters! you can still put in a Late Pledge*, but only until this Friday, 7th September 2018.

If you need any persuading, here's what the play-testers have been saying about the adventure:

"Be prepared for a rip roaring swashbuckling two-fisted pulp republic cliffhanger treat with NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters! The most fun parts of Hook, Jurassic Park and Raiders Of The Lost Ark, blended into one death defying package!"

"Those of you who haven't been able to sample this yet, I can say you're in for a real treat! There are some really fun rules and memorable encounters throughout, and I can safely say this is my favourite of the ACE Gamebooks so far (High praise indeed, for the first two are fab)."

"Absolutely loving it so far. Some nice mechanics thrown in there. Very atmospheric."

Here's what you need to do if you would like to make a Late Pledge to the Kickstarter:

1. Look through the list of reward levels below and select the one you would like.
2. Look through the list of add-ons and decide if you would like to add any of these to your pledge.
3. Add the cost of any add-ons to the cost of the reward level you have selected, finally adding the correct postage for your country, to calculate the total amount you will need to pay.
4. Email info@jonathangreenauthor.com, making the title of your email 'NEVERLAND Late Pledge' and listing the reward and add-ons you have selected, along with the amount of money you will need to pay, including postage. I will then get back to you with details of how to make your payment via PayPal.

Please note - you can find out more about precisely what comes with each reward level by visiting the NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters! project page here.

 (No postage required)

 (No postage required)

 (No postage required)

 (Post and packing: UK £6 - European Union £16 - Rest of World £22)

  (Post and packing: UK £6 - European Union £16 - Rest of World £22)

   (Post and packing: UK £6 - European Union £17 - Rest of World £24)

   (Post and packing: Free in the UK or if included with another reward - European Union £6 - Rest of World £8)

    (Post and packing: Free in the UK or if included with another reward - European Union £6 - Rest of World £8)

    (Post and packing: Free in the UK or if included with another reward - European Union £6 - Rest of World £8)

    (Post and packing: Free in the UK or if included with another reward - European Union £6 - Rest of World £8)

Tie-in Tuesday: Dinosaur Day

According to Twitter, today is Dinosaur Day. My working days are filled with dinosaurs at the moment, as I'm nearing the end of writing the first draft of NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters!

But of course it's not the first book I've written that features the terrible lizards. There's Terrible Lizards for one. There are also dinosaurs in the Fighting Fantasy gamebook Bloodbones, and the Pax Britannia novels Unnatural History and Leviathan Rising.

Like many 5 and 6 year-olds, I was obsessed by dinosaurs. I would spend hours tracing the dinosaurs in the colouring book I had, and I loved films like The Land That Time Forgot, Valley of the Gwangi, and One Million Years BC, shown on TV during the afternoon at weekends. When I was a little older, by father and I would make Airfix kits of dinosaurs together, and I have very fond memories of travelling up to London on the train with him, specifically to visit The Natural History Museum and its dinosaur collection. I even remember an English lesson, early on in Secondary School, in which we studied an extract from Ray Bradbury's A Sound of Thunder, focusing on the arrival of a T-Rex.

All of this clearly had an impact on my growing up, and I still have a passion and fascination for prehistoric life today. Last year family Green visited New York and I dragged everyone to the American Museum of Natural History, just so that I could see the dinosaur exhibits, which did not disappoint! And because it had an impact on me growing up, it has also impacted upon my writing.

But I have never explored dinosaur life in so much detail as I have in NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters! For a start, the book includes over 30 different dinosaurs, marine reptiles, flying reptiles and other prehistoric creatures. But one of the fun things about writing the book has been coming up with new names for dinosaurs, because most of the characters in the story wouldn't have known what the nascent fossil hunters had called these primeval beasts.

I'm keen for the book to be finished and out there in readers' hands for various reasons, but one of them is to see if people can work out which dinosaur is which. Maybe I'll reveal the answers next Dinosaur Day.

Gamebook Friday: NEVERLAND Late Pledges

Just a reminder that if you missed the Kickstarter for my latest ACE Gamebook NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters! you can still put in a Late Pledge*.

Here's what you need to do if you would like to make a Late Pledge to the Kickstarter:

1. Look through the list of reward levels below and select the one you would like.
2. Look through the list of add-ons and decide if you would like to add any of these to your pledge.
3. Add the cost of any add-ons to the cost of the reward level you have selected, finally adding the correct postage for your country, to calculate the total amount you will need to pay.
4. Email info@jonathangreenauthor.com, making the title of your email 'NEVERLAND Late Pledge' and listing the reward and add-ons you have selected, along with the amount of money you will need to pay, including postage. I will then get back to you with details of how to make your payment via PayPal.

Please note - you can find out more about precisely what comes with each reward level by visiting the NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters! project page here.

 (No postage required)

 (No postage required)

 (No postage required)

 (Post and packing: UK £6 - European Union £16 - Rest of World £22)

  (Post and packing: UK £6 - European Union £16 - Rest of World £22)

   (Post and packing: UK £6 - European Union £17 - Rest of World £24)

   (Post and packing: Free in the UK or if included with another reward - European Union £6 - Rest of World £8)

    (Post and packing: Free in the UK or if included with another reward - European Union £6 - Rest of World £8)

    (Post and packing: Free in the UK or if included with another reward - European Union £6 - Rest of World £8)

    (Post and packing: Free in the UK or if included with another reward - European Union £6 - Rest of World £8)

* Probably until the end of January. I will inform everyone when Late Pledges are closing.