Gamebook Friday: Dracula - Curse of the Vampire

There are now just 16 days left until Dracula - Curse of the Vampire​ goes live on Kickstarter on Sunday 1st March 2020.

Many people don't like to commit to a Kickstarter project such as this one until they have been able to sample the adventure itself. And so, with that in mind, here is a link to read the opening of Jonathan Harker's adventure.

Like some of my other ACE Gamebooks, you can play Dracula - Curse of the Vampire​ as one several different characters - Jonathan Harker, Mina Murray, Dr John Seward, and even as Count Dracula himself!

However, the way it varies from my other books is in the way that, if you play as one of the vampire-hunters, you can switch backwards and forwards between the three characters throughout the adventure. You could choose to just play through the book as Jonathan Harker, but equally you could experience it as Harker, Mina, and Dr Seward, all in the one play-through.

Remember, everyone who backs the Dracula - Curse of the Vampire​ Kickstarter within the first 24 hours, and selects a reward level that includes a physical copy of the gamebook, will also receive a copy of The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna artbook for free!

The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna. [Cover art not final.]

So set an alarm now, for 1:00pm on Sunday 1st March 2020.

Thought for the Day

"It still rankles that the short story I wrote for my mock O Levels was downgraded from an A to a C because, 'it is too original, which means you have copied it from somewhere'."

~ Neil Gaiman

Short Story Saturday: Scrooge and Marley (Deceased)

Yesterday was Charles Dickens' 208th birthday, which is a good enough excuse for me to remind you that I have written two stories inspired by Ebenezer Scrooge and his late business partner Jacob Marley, from A Christmas Carol.

You might want to check them out, seeing as how you can read them for free via Kindle Unlimited.

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.

      

Gamebook Friday: Dracula - Curse of the Vampire

There are now just 22 days to go until Dracula - Curse of the Vampire goes live on Kickstarter.

For those gamebook fans and vampire aficionados who want something a bit special, we have the following rewards.

Back at the WEREWOLF level and, as well as a signed, limited edition hardback of Dracula - Curse of the Vampire, a set of collectable bookmarks, and an eBook edition of the adventure, you will also receive a set of 4 art prints, a pack of Dracula - Curse of the Vampire playing cards, and a pair of themed dice.

Back at the VAMPIRE HUNTER level, and you will also receive a pre-release play-test copy of Dracula - Curse of the Vampire, and be credited in the front of the book as an official play-tester.

Back at the VAMPIRE COUNT level, and you will have your likeness included in one of the illustrations in the book by artist Martin McKenna. You will also receive a special print of that illustration.

And if you back at the NOSFERATU level, you will have Dracula - Curse of the Vampire dedicated to you, or another person of your choice.

Not only that, but back at the VAMPIRE COUNT reward level, or above, and your book will come inside its own coffin, with its own wooden stake pencil.

Remember, everyone who backs the Dracula - Curse of the Vampire​ Kickstarter within the first 24 hours, and selects a reward level that includes a physical copy of the gamebook, will also receive a copy of The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna artbook for free!

The Grim and Gothic Art of Martin McKenna. [Cover art not final.]

So set an alarm now, for 1:00pm on Sunday 1st March 2020.

Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland 5th Anniversary Hardback

There are just two weeks to go for the Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland 5th Anniversary Hardback on Kickstarter and, as of writing, there are only 30 of the 100 rewards left.

We are also just £200 away from hitting the £3,000 Stretch Goal, which, if achieved, will mean that the new edition of Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland will include a brand new map of Wonderland, drawn by the book's original artist, Kev Crossley.

So, whether you are an avid collector of ACE Gamebooks, or someone who has never played through Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland before but always wanted to, this Kickstarter is for you.

Thought for the Day

"In a world in which so many people seem to be in a race to destroy as much as they can, any act of creation is precious. Whatever you're creating, on whatever scale - whether you're writing, painting, knitting, dancing, gardening, or making films - know that it matters. You matter."

~ Joanne Harris

Choose Cthulhu 2

The Choose Your Own Insanity Gamebooks are back, and crowdfunding on Kickstarter for an English audience!

I will be helping the team polish the English translations of the original Spanish adventures, but before that can happen, they need your support.