Magic Realms: The Art of Fighting Fantasy

Coming in 2024 from Unbound is Magic Realms: The Art of Fighting Fantasy, written by myself and Sir Ian Livingstone. 

The book focuses on the work of 26 artists, who have contributed art to the Fighting Fantasy series over the past four decades, across 25 chapters. Each chapter starts with a brief biography of the artist, followed by pages and pages of full colour and/or black & white artwork, along with some previously unseen sketches and other tidbits. There are also insights into their work from the artists themselves.

The book is currently seeking funding here and rewards on offer include signed hardbacks, a clamshell box edition, and a new A2 colour map of Allansia by Leo Hartas.

To pledge your support, click on the link to the Unbound Magic Realms: The Art of Fighting Fantasy project page.

Gamebook Friday: UK Games Expo

The UK Games Expo 2023 starts today at the NEC in Birmingham and I am attending with my ACE Gamebooks, specifically RONIN 47.

You will also be able to check out the new Heorot RPG. Not only that, but because June 2023 marks 30 years since my first Fighting Fantasy gamebook Spellbreaker was published, you will be able to use a special discount to get money off at ACE Gamebooks Roleplay on DriveThruRPG.

You will find me in Hall 2, at Stand 2-T21, alongside Sir Ian Livingstone, and sandwiched between Parable Games and Atlantis Miniatures.

Click to enlarge.

The expo opens on Friday 2nd June at 9:00am and closes at 4:00pm on Sunday 4th June.

This year I am helping Darren W. Pearce run the Write Like a Pro workshop on Sunday 4th June from 12:30-1:30pm.

Here's what the UKGE website has to say about it:

Join two professional writers Darren W. Pearce and Jonathan Green - both industry veterans of many years experience - to talk about modern adventure design and how to approach the art of adventure writing, as well as working with established IP holders.

The workshop is being held in The Boardroom, NEC Piazza 3. To find out more, click this link.

UK Games Expo 2023

One week today I will be at the NEC in Birmingham, setting up for UK Games Expo 2023.

This year I am sharing a stand with Sir Ian Livingstone. We are in Hall 2, at Stand 2-T21, sandwiched between Parable Games and Atlantis Miniatures.

Click to enlarge.

The expo opens on Friday 2nd June at 9:00am and closes at 4:00pm on Sunday 4th June.

This year I am helping Darren W. Pearce run the Write Like a Pro workshop on Sunday 4th June from 12:30-1:30pm.

Here's what the UKGE website has to say about it:

Join two professional writers Darren W. Pearce and Jonathan Green - both industry veterans of many years experience - to talk about modern adventure design and how to approach the art of adventure writing, as well as working with established IP holders.

The workshop is being held in The Boardroom, NEC Piazza 3. To find out more, click this link.

Gamebook Friday: Dragonmeet 2022

ACE Gamebooks will be at Dragonmeet at the Novotel Hammersmith, London, on Saturday 3rd December. You will find us at Stand 38 in the Upper Trade Hall (next to Sir Ian Livingstone's table).

Click to enlarge the floorplan.

Tony Hough will also be stopping by to sign copies of 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas which will be on sale on the day, as will RONIN 47.

Gamebook Friday: YOU ARE THE HERO - An Interactive History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks...

... is coming to Kickstarter on Saturday 8th October 2022! If you haven't already, sign up here to be notified when the project goes live.

40 years ago, on 27th August 1982, the very first Fighting Fantasy Gamebook, The Warlock of Firetop Mountain by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, was published. In 2012 and 2017, I ran successful Kickstarter campaigns to publish YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks and YOU ARE THE HERO Part 2. I now want to publish and revised and updated edition to mark the 40th anniversary of the world's premier gamebook series - and this time it's going to be interactive!

YOU ARE THE HERO - An Interactive History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks is going to be available to backers of the new Kickstarter in four different formats; eBook, paperback, hardback, and deluxe hardback. The standard hardback edition will look like the previous hardbacks in the series, featuring a printed papercase. However, the deluxe hardback will be bound in faux red leather, in honour of the series' Ruby Anniversary, with the title and FF logo embossed in gold leaf, and will also include ribbon bookmarks. The book's final cover artwork will appear inside the book.

A mock-up of the limited edition, faux leather bound, deluxe hardback, featuring gold embossed detailing.

In other gamebook-related news, due to the need to reduce the amount of stuff I have following a house move across the country, I am selling off some of my author copies of the gamebooks and novels I have written over the years. I will, of course, sign the books for anyone who would like to buy them, and I am selling them through Ebay. To see exactly what I have on offer, click this link.

Fighting Fantasy Fest 4 - Tickets on sale now!

 Tickets are on sale now for Fighting Fantasy Fest 4, and are strictly limited to 400* in total.

The Convention of Firetop Mountain is returning to the University of West London, three years since FFF3, on Saturday 3rd September 2022, to celebrate 40 years of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain and the Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks series co-created by Steve Jackson and Sir Ian Livingstone.

Everyone who purchases an adult ticket will receive:

• A uniquely numbered 40th anniversary ticket (strictly limited to 400 in total)
• A souvenier programme and autograph book
• A pair of Fighting Fantasy dice
• Access to the event, including the Traders' Hall and Artists' Alley, and all signing opportunities
• Access to all talks and panels
• Access to a special screening of Martin Gooch's new film Argh and the Quest for the Golden Dragon Skull, featuring Sir Ian Livingstone!

Attendees may also pre-order an exclusive Fighting Fantasy 40th anniversary T-shirt and enamel pin badge, ready for collection at the event.

There are also a limited number of Young Adult and Children tickets. (Please note that anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult ticket holder.)

Steve Jackson and Sir Ian Livingstone will be attending as Guests of Honour, and other guests include authors Rhianna Pratchett, Jamie Thomson, Peter Darvill-Evans, and Jonathan Green, artists John Sibbick, Malcolm Barter, Tony Hough, Mel Grant, and Rob Ball, and original commissioning editor Geraldine Cooke.

Fighting Fantasy Fest 4 is likely to be a very popular event and entry is by pre-paid ticket only*.

If you've been before, you will know what to expect and will doubtless be keen to attend again. If you've not been before, then this is the year to attend your first Fighting Fantasy convention!

So, don't delay and make sure you secure your place at Fighting Fantasy Fest 4 now!

* Tickets are limited to 400 adult tickets, plus 50 Young Adult tickets, and 50 Children tickets.

Gamebook Friday: Dragonmeet 2021

This Saturday, 4th December 2021, I will be attending Dragonmeet at the Novotel in Hammersmith. You will find ACE Gamebooks and ACE Gamebooks Roleplay at Stand 31 on the Upper Trade Hall.

Ian Livingstone will also be there, so make sure you bring your favourite Fighting Fantasy gamebooks along to have them signed. You may even be able to pick up something special for your collection.

I will have a few signed copies of 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas for sale, as well as my most recent ACE Gamebooks, including Dracula - Curse of the Vampire.

So if you are going to Dragonmeet at, do stop by Stand 31 and say hello.

Gamebook Friday: International Gamebook Day

I recently learned that 1st August is International Childfree Day, which drove it home to me that you really can have a day for anything.

So I am proposing that 27th August be designated as International Gamebook Day, when people around the world can celebrate their love of interactive fiction.

Why 27th August? Because it was on that day in 1982 that the first Fighting Fantasy gamebook, The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, written by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, was first published.

So who's with me?

   

Fighting Fantasy Legends - now funding on Kickstarter!

Not that it needs any help from me, but just in case you weren't already aware, the Fighting Fantasy Legends Kickstarter by Atlantis Miniatures is rapidly approaching the £30,000 mark on, having achieved 243% of its original funding goal!

This means that a host of new miniatures have been unlocked, including a pair of Skeleton Warriors, Klash the Chaos Warrior (from The Port of Peril), and new sculpt of the Quag-Shugguth (from the same book), Baron Sukumvit, Lord Carnuss and Lord Azzur, and two of the assassins from Assassins of Allanisa.

Also, on Sunday 20th October at 2:00pm BST, GeekGirlBookWorm will be hosting a paint-a-long of the new Lord Azzur miniature on Twitch. Not only will she be giving the miniature away, once it's painted, but she will also be giving away a signed copy of Ian Livingstone's newest Fighting Fantasy gamebook, Assassins of Allansia!

The Fighting Fantasy Legends Kickstarter campaign still has the best part of three weeks left to run, but don't delay - pledge today!

Fighting Fantasy Fest 3: 100 days to go!

Gamebook Friday: ACE Gamebooks at Dragonmeet this Saturday!

Tomorrow (Saturday, 1st December 2018), I will be attending Dragonmeet 2018, and I will have copies of both my ACE Gamebooks - Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland and The Wicked Wizard of Oz - for sale, along with some hardbacks of YOU ARE THE HERO Part 2.

You will find me downstairs, in the main trade hall, next to Ian Livingstone's Fighting Fantasy stand. All Rolled Up, who are making the game rolls and dice trays for NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters! and Beowulf Beastslayer, will also be in attendance. So, if you're attending too, do stop by and say hello.

Gamebook Friday: ACE Gamebooks at the UK Games Expo

Last weekend, I spent a very rewarding three days at the UK Games Expo.

I first attended the convention when it was held at the Clarendon Suites in Edgbaston, and its incredible to consider what Tony Hyams and Richard Denning have achieved, when you think that this year the Expo took over both Hall 1 and Hall 2 of the NEC as well as the Hilton hotel.

I was based in Hall 2, along with Ian Livingstone, and I had a fine array of Snowbooks-published books to sell, including my YOU ARE THE HERO histories and the ACE Gamebooks Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland and The Wicked Wizard of Oz.

I had a great time meeting Facebook friends, Kickstarter backers, and John Robertson of The Dark Room fame. I even caught up with an old university friend who I'd not seen in 22 years, as well as fellow author and editor George Mann and ace artist, and former collaborator, Ralph Horsley.

The Wicked Wizard of Oz was very well received, and plenty of people were still keen to pick up a copy of Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland as well.

The UK Games Expo is one of my favourite conventions and I'll already looking forward to next year's event, as well as planning what I'm going to take with me, which will definitely include NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters!

Jonathan Green and ACE Gamebooks at the UK Games Expo 2018

Please note that you will now find me on Stand 2-C2, with Ian Livingstone.

I will be at the UK Games Expo all this weekend, from 9.30am on Friday until 4.00pm on Sunday.

I will be selling copies of my ACE Gamebooks, Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland and The Wicked Wizard of Oz, as well as hardback copies of YOU ARE THE HERO Part 2. (I'm afraid that the hardbacks of Part 1 have sold out.)


ACE Gamebooks

If you buy an ACE Gamebook from me, you will also receive a FREE copy of The Ulysses Quicksilver Omnibus Volume 2 - containing the Pax Britannia novels Evolution Expects, Blood Royal, and Dark Side - while stocks last. So that's potentially four books for a tenner!

YOU ARE THE HERO Part 2

As I am sharing a table with Ian Livingstone, you may well get the chance to have your copy of YOU ARE THE HERO Part 2 signed by him as well as me.

Spellbreaker 25th Anniversary Prize Draw

June 2018 marks 25 years since the publication of my first book, the Fighting Fantasy adventure Spellbreaker. If you buy a book from me over the weekend - any book - you will be entered into the Spellbreaker 25th Anniversary Prize Draw for the chance to win a signed, limited hardback collector's edition of my latest gamebook, NEVERLAND - Here Be Monsters!

And the winner is...

Unfortunately, although both The Wicked Wizard of Oz and YOU ARE THE HERO Part 2 were entered into the UK Games Expo Awards, neither of them were shortlisted, but you may well find me in the event programme anyway, so keep your eyes peeled!

I also hope to attend Ian Livingstone's Deathtrap Dungeon Reading, which is taking place on the Friday evening from 5.00pm.

And if you are visiting the UK Games Expo this weekend, do stop by Stand 2-C2 and say hello. Maybe I'll see you there. ;-)

JG at the UK Games Expo

There's an element of doubt regarding where I will be at the UK Games Expo this weekend. I will definitely be there - barring flood, fire or act of God - but I'm not entirely sure whether I'll be on the Mercia Books stand at 2-D4 or sharing a stand with Ian Livingstone at 2-C2.

I suspect it will be the latter, as that's what is printed in the programme, but I won't know for sure until I get to the NEC and set up on Thursday.

So, if you were hoping to stop by this weekend and say hello, it might be best to check both stands in your quest to find the author of YOU ARE THE HERO Part 2 and The Wicked Wizard of Oz.

Dragonmeet 2017

On Saturday I was at Dragonmeet 2017 in London. Dragonmeet is one of those fixtures in my con calendar that I always look forward to* partly because it's such a sociable convention.

It was great to catch up with a number of people I had seen in a while, including James Wallis - who was launching Alas Vegas at Dragonmeet - John Dodd, Pookie, Brian Edwards, Richard Williams (and his wife Fiona), Matt Zitron, Jonny Nexus and Magnus Anderson, as well as those who I see more regularly, such as Colin Oaten, Steven Dean and Gary Loveridge. And then there were those people who I met for the first (or second) time, including Kickstarter backers Rene Batsford, Simon Smith, and Steve Britton, who presented me with an exquisite miniature he had made to thank me for writing the YOU ARE THE HERO books!

The level of detail in Steve's miniature is astonishing!

My stand was sandwiched between Ian Livingstone's - who gave a talk and did a signing with Steve Jackson - and Fox Yason Audio, producers of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain audio drama.

Fox Yason Audio

Ian Livingstone at Dragonmeet 2017

Steve Jackson signing at Dragonmeet 2017

My best-seller of the day was my ACE Gamebook The Wicked Wizard of Oz. I was kept busy all day, which is much better than being bored, but I did manage to have a quick scooch round and pick up a few choice items myself, including a bit of Christmas shopping.

Dragonmeet 2017 stash

And look what was waiting for me when I got home...

* Along with the UK Games Expo.