Gamebook Friday: World Lizard Day

Which is your favourite lizard-based encounter from the ACE Gamebooks series?

Quox, from The Wicked Wizard of Oz?

The Terrible Lizards of Neverland: Here Be Monsters?

The Ravager, from Beowulf Beastslayer?

The Daikaiju, from RONIN 47?

Gamebook Friday: Beowulf Beastslayer is sailing to Hungary!

The Hungarian language edition of Beowulf Beastslayer - or Rémölő Beowulf - is out at the end of August from Chameleon Comix, but it is available for pre-order now!

King Hrothgar’s great golden mead-hall, Heorot, lies under a curse; after sunset, the mirth-hating night-stalker Grendel comes to the hall to maim and murder! None are capable of killing the monster, though many have tried, until one day, Beowulf and his company of Geatish warriors cross the sail-road and land on Danish shores...

Beowulf Beastslayer is a gateway to the mythic world of the Scandinavian sagas. Once inside its pages, you will find yourself travelling to Heorot to embark upon a thrilling epic quest of your own.

Beowulf Beastslayer is a brand new take on the Anglo-Saxon epic, re-imagining the events described in the poem as an adventure gamebook. YOU decide which route to take, which perils to risk, and which of the strange creatures you will meet along the way to fight. But whether you survive your quest and rise to the level of lauded hero - and maybe even king - or succumb to the likes of the monster Grendel and his sea-hag mother, will be down to the choices YOU make.

Will you follow the course of events as laid down by the scops and skalds of old – battling the fiend Grendel, his dam, and the fire-tongued dragon – or will you choose a different path and forge your own legend?

Beowulf Beastslayer flash sale!

Following the succes of the 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas flash sale, today I am offering you the 5th anniversary hardback of Beowulf Beastslayer at half price!

The price below includes post and packing within the UK. If you are based overseas and would like to buy a book, please email info@jonathangreenauthor.com rather than using the PayPal button.

Beowulf Beastslayer (£20)

5th anniversary hardback edition of the fourth ACE Gamebook, individually numbered and signed by the author.

Includes Midgard map endpapers, high quality paper, bonus chapter featuring designer's notes and artist Russ Nicholson's sketchbook, and an exclusive, collectible bookmark.

500 sections in length.

Gamebook Friday: Russ Nicholson

I was very sorry to hear this week that Russ Nicholson passed away last Wednesday after a short illness. 

As some of you will already know, Russ wasn't well enough to draw any new illustrations for the Heorot RPG, although the book is chock full of his artwork anyway.

It was a dream come true, and a real pinch me moment, to have him collaborate with me on Beowulf Beastslayer, as it was his illustration of a Ghoul that drew me into The Warlock of Firetop Mountain when I picked up the first Fighting Fantasy gamebook in 1982.

I also had a wonderful time with Russ and his wife Jacqui at MantiCon in Germany in 2019. He was a great raconteur and a lovely man to boot. He will be greatly missed and my thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

RIP Russ.

World Book Day 2021

It's World Book Day, so why not buy a signed book direct from the author today? Simply click on the image of the book you would like to buy below.

Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland (Paperback)

Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland (Hardback)

Beowulf Beastslayer (Paperback)

Beowulf Beastslayer (Hardback)

Gamebook Friday: HEOROT - Role-Playing in the World of Beowulf Beastslayer is now funding on Kickstarter

HEOROT - Role-Playing in the World of Beowulf Beastslayer

is funding on Kickstarter now!

The Beowulf Beastslayer Teacher's Pack

Now available for anyone who teaches Beowulf to students in Key Stage 2 or Key Stage 3, is the Beowulf Beastslayer Teacher's Pack, or indeed for any teacher who wants a fun topic of work for a week or two, perhaps even as a focus for their school Book Week.

The pack contains ten activities that range from comprehension and long-form writing exercises, to code-breaking and game design, as well as suggestions for more

The Beowulf Beastslayer Teacher's Pack can be downloaded from tes.com.

Gamebook Friday: Beowulf Beastslayer first reviews

I'm delighted to report that since going on general release on Monday, Beowulf Beastslayer has already garnered some great reviews on Amazon.

"Monsters are monstrous, the very forces of nature are glorious and powerful, and every kenning and coinage ring with the weight of authenticity. If more fantasy writing were this committed, I genuinely believe fantasy itself would be a more respected genre."

"For me the most unique part is the use of language. I tried to read Beowulf as a student far too many years ago, and haven’t a great knowledge of it... However, Jonathan writes in a style that perfectly seems to echo the original."

"Green's writing is on form as ever."

If you've read Beowulf Beastslayer, please consider posting a brief review on Amazon.

It's also great to see people being inspired by the models Otherworld Miniatures produced for the Kickstarter, which has led to articles appearing on Because of Dragons and Beasts of War. Which is nice.

Because of Dragons has some ideas for using the figures with your favourite RPG system. Which reminds me, I really must get around to writing this one day...

Beowulf Beastslayer - Publication Day!

Hwaet! Beowulf Beastslayer is published today by Snowbooks.

A brand new adventure gamebook by Jonathan Green, based on the ancient epic. A tale of heroes... A tale of monsters... A legend reborn. 

King Hrothgar's great golden mead-hall, Heorot, lies under a curse; after sunset, the mirth-hating night-stalker Grendel comes to the hall to maim and murder! None are capable of killing the monster, though many have tried, until one day Beowulf and his company of Geatish warriors cross the sail-road and land on Danish shores...

The Old English poem Beowulf is a story that has fascinated people throughout the ages inspiring the likes of J. R. R. Tolkien, Seamus Heaney and Neil Gaiman. Beowulf Beastslayer is a brand new take on the Anglo-Saxon epic, re-imagining the events described in the poem as an adventure gamebook.

Will you follow the course of events as laid down by the scops and skalds of old, or will you choose a different path and forge your own legend?

Beowulf Beastslayer is illustrated by none other than Russ Nicholson, who provided the internal artwork for the Fighting Fantasy gamebook The Warlock of Firetop Mountain (among others), which set me on the path to becoming an author, and features a cover quote by none other than BBC Four's Dr Janina Ramirez.

As backers of the original Kickstarter will already know, Paul Muller sculpted Grendel and Beowulf in three dimensions, using Russ Nicholson's interpretations of the characters as his guide, and the miniatures were produced by Otherworld Miniatures. Well, here they are, painted by the very talented Andy Taylor.

Grendel and Beowulf, sculpted by Paul Muller, produced by Otherworld Miniatures, and painted by Andy Taylor.

If you would like to buy a pair of miniatures, simply click the button below, having selected whereabouts in the world you would like them sent.

Beowulf and Grendel miniatures

UK signed for £29.00 GBP Europe signed for £34.00 GBP Rest of World signed for £35.00 GBP

And if you have read the book, please post a review on Amazon.

MantiCon 2019

This weekend I will be in Germany, at a castle near Heppenheim, for MantiCon 2019. Mantikore-Verlag are celebrating the 10th anniversary of this intimate gamebook convention, and I am one of the guests attending, along with the likes of Russ Nicholson, Gary Chalk, Ben Dever and Vinzent Lazzari.

On Friday afternoon, from 5-6pm, I will giving a talk about my word, with the very capable German gamebook author Jens Schumacher moderating and translating for the non-English speakers. I also expect to sign one or two copies of Alice im Düsterland over the course of the weekend.

So if you happen to be attending MantiCon yourself, do come over and say "Hallo!"

Beowulf Beastslayer cover reveal

I am delighted to be able to share with you the finished cover for Beowulf Beastslayer, featuring Russ Nicholson's astonishing artwork.

I am particularly thrilled about the cover quote written by one of my TV heroes, Dr Janina Ramirez, who has her own book about Beowulf coming out in September.

The second cover quote is by another academic, who also happens to be one of the backers of the original Kickstarter, Prof. Dr. Oliver M. Traxel.

Beowulf Beastslayer is published this October by Snowbooks.

Gamebook Friday: Beowulf Beastslayer!

Here is the cover for my next ACE Gamebook, Beowulf Beastslayer, featuring the awesome artwork of Russ Nicholson.

King Hrothgar’s great golden mead-hall, Heorot, lies under a curse. Each night, the mirth-hating monster Grendel comes to the hall, from its lair in the fens, to maim and murder! None can kill the monster, though many have tried.

For twelve long years the bitter blood-feud continues, until one day, from across the sea, comes a saviour – Beowulf Beastslayer!

Beowulf Beastslayer is unlike other books. In fact, it is a gateway to the mythic world of the Scandinavian sagas. Once inside its pages, you will find yourself travelling to Heorot to embark upon a thrilling epic quest of your own.

In Beowulf Beastslayer, YOU decide which route to take, which perils to risk, and which of the strange creatures you will meet along the way to fight. But whether you survive your quest and rise to the level of lauded hero, and maybe even king, or succumb to the likes of the monster Grendel and his sea-hag mother, will be down to the choices YOU make.

Beowulf Beastslayer!

A tale of heroes... A tale of monsters... A legend reborn!

Beowulf Beastslayer will be published by Snowbooks on 7th October 2019.

Beowulf Beastslayer - your last chance to back!

Some of you may have seen pertinent pieces of Russ Nicholson's artwork for my ACE Gamebook Beowulf Beastslayer online recently. If you have and it's made you think, "I wish I'd backed the Kickstarter" you still have a couple of days left to place a Late Pledge via Indiegogo.

In Beowulf Beastslayer, you take on the role of the eponymous hero, and play through the major events of his life, from his battle with the monster Grendel in King Hrothgar's mead-hall Heorot...

To his hunt for Grendel's mother, the Sea-Hag, in her lake-bottom lair...

Through to his final epic battle with a barrow-dwelling dragon...

The adventure has been illustrated by fantasy art stalwart Russ Nicholson and you can place a Late Pledge to back the book, and receive backer-only perks, here. But hurry - the Indiegogo project page has to close on Thursday, 28th February!

Gamebook Friday: Beowulf Beastslayer has 5 days left to run on Kickstarter!

We are into the final week of funding for the Beowulf Beastslayer Kickstarter so, if you've not pledged your support already, now would be the perfect time.

Rewards on offer include:

• an exclusive Beowulf miniature (as Stretch Goal #1 has been unlocked)
• a set of 4 art prints
• limited collector's hardbacks of  Beowulf Beastslayer signed by the author
• your name in the Acknowledgements
• an exclusive bookmark
• digital wallpapers

If you still need convincing, you can read an extract of the adventure here.

Many people as Kickstarter to remind them about projects they have an interest in when there are 48 hours left to go. Currently Beowulf Beastslayer is being followed by over 300 people, so it will be interesting to see how many of them convert to actual backers before 1:00pm on Wednesday 31st October.

In the meantime, any and all help in promoting the Kickstarter and spreading the word about Beowulf Beastslayer will be very gratefully received.

Gamebook Friday: Beowulf Beastslayer is live on Kickstarter

As many of you are no doubt already aware, my latest ACE Gamebook is currently funding on Kickstarter.*

In Beowulf Beastslayer, you take on the role of the eponymous hero Beowulf himself. 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.

Whether you survive your quest and rise to the level of lauded hero, and maybe even king, or succumb to the likes of the monster Grendel and his sea-hag mother, will be down to the choices YOU make.

I am delighted to report that Beowulf Beastslayer will be illustrated by Fantasy gamebook art legend Russ Nicholson. His portraiture and attention to detail - not to mention his undisputed skill at drawing caves! - make him the ideal illustrator to bring the world of 6th century Denmark to life.

If you back the Kickstarter at the HERO level or above, before 1:00pm today (Friday 5th October) you can also nab some rather special rewards, which, after that time, will go up in price.

So, if you've not already done so, check out Beowulf Beastslayer now, please tell all your friends too, and I'll see you again in the land of the Danes!

* As of 8:30am on Friday 5th October, the Kickstarter had 130 backers and was 86% funded in just under 4 days.

Gamebook Friday: Beowulf Beastslayer sets sail for the Land of the Danes soon!

On Monday 1st October 2018, the Kickstarter for Beowulf Beastslayer, my latest ACE Gamebooks project will go live. Five years in the making*, here's the video promo for the gamebook...

And if you want to know a little more about the story of Beowulf, here's me from five years ago, to fill you in...

* Or, more precisely, five years since I first announced the project.

Gamebook Friday: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain

As regular readers of this blog may already know, I was part of the design team on Tin Man Games' re-imagined The Warlock of Firetop Mountain app.

In the latest update, the Tin Man himself Neil Rennison posted some of the brand new artwork that Russ Nicholson has produced for the app, in the style of his original illustrations for the book, and a couple of them feature things that I added to the game.

So we have a hall of Dwarven statues...

A terrified acolyte fleeing from the School of Sorcery...

(The figure on the right is Oriana the Soulkeeper. Not one of my creations, but she looks awesome!)

And another sorcerous apprentice cowering in fear in the corner of a potions laboratory...

(The figure on the left is Sindla, the Goddess of Luck and Chance.)

You can keep up to date with the latest updates regarding The Warlock of Firetop Mountain via the project's Kickstarter page, as well as via Tin Man Games' Facebook page, and courtesy of Tin Man Games' own blog.

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 - 3 weeks to go!

There are just 3 weeks to go until  FIGHTING FANTASY FEST 2014 takes place at the DoubleTree Hilton in Ealing, West London, and 2 weeks left to buy your tickets.

For those attending we have all of the following on offer:

6 Fighting Fantasy artists - including Russ Nicholson, John Blanche, Chris Achilleos, Malcolm Barter, Tony Hough and Leo Hartas.

3 Fighting Fantasy authors - Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, co-creators of the Fighting Fantasy series, and Jonathan Green, author of seven FF gamebooks.

An extremely collectible goodie bag, including a Fighting Fantasy gamebook, a poster, a novel, a Tin Man Games download app code, and a ZAGOR THE WARLOCK miniature, only available to those FF fans attending FIGHTING FANTASY FEST and based on this piece of artwork by Russ Nicholson!

A talk on the early days of Fighting Fantasy by Steve and Ian, with special guest Philippa Dickinson, the editor who first worked on The Warlock of Firetop Mountain.

Arion Games running Advanced Fighting Fantasy sessions throughout the day.

Tin Man Games talking about and demonstrating their latest FF apps.

Inkle Studios talking about their Sorcery! apps.

Various others traders, offering books for sale, wargaming miniatures, dice and gaming equipment, and more!

The official book launch of YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks, written by Jonathan Green and supported by hundreds of FF fans through the Kickstarter crowd-funding website.

An exhibition of never-before-seen and highly-collectible items from FF's history.

An auction of rare Fighting Fantasy memorabilia from the vaults of the Warlocks of Firetop Mountain themselves.

And if all that wasn't enough you'll be able to have a drink with the creators of Fighting Fantasy at the Black Lobster Tavern, from Port Blacksand, City of Thieves, themed bar!

If you've not bought your ticket yet you can do so here. Please tell all your friends via social media and any other means at your disposal (such as telephone, email, carrier pigeon, smoke signals, sorcery...) and we'll look forward to seeing you in September!

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 - 1 month to go!

There is just 1 month to go until  FIGHTING FANTASY FEST 2014 takes place at the DoubleTree Hilton in Ealing, West London, and 4 days left to buy your tickets.

For those attending we have all of the following on offer:

6 Fighting Fantasy artists - including Russ Nicholson, John Blanche, Chris Achilleos, Malcolm Barter, Tony Hough and Leo Hartas.

3 Fighting Fantasy authors - Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, co-creators of the Fighting Fantasy series, and Jonathan Green, author of seven FF gamebooks.

An extremely collectible goodie bag, including a Fighting Fantasy gamebook, a poster, a novel, a Tin Man Games download app code, and a ZAGOR THE WARLOCK miniature, only available to those FF fans attending FIGHTING FANTASY FEST and based on this piece of artwork by Russ Nicholson!

A talk on the early days of Fighting Fantasy by Steve and Ian, with special guest Philippa Dickinson, the editor who first worked on The Warlock of Firetop Mountain.

Arion Games running Advanced Fighting Fantasy sessions throughout the day.

Tin Man Games talking about and demonstrating their latest FF apps.

Inkle Studios talking about their Sorcery! apps.

Various others traders, offering books for sale, wargaming miniatures, dice and gaming equipment, and more!

The official book launch of YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks, written by Jonathan Green and supported by hundreds of FF fans through the Kickstarter crowd-funding website.

An exhibition of never-before-seen and highly-collectible items from FF's history.

An auction of rare Fighting Fantasy memorabilia from the vaults of the Warlocks of Firetop Mountain themselves.

And if all that wasn't enough you'll be able to have a drink with the creators of Fighting Fantasy at the Black Lobster Tavern, from Port Blacksand, City of Thieves, themed bar!

If you've not bought your ticket yet you can do so here. Please tell all your friends via social media and any other means at your disposal (such as telephone, email, carrier pigeon, smoke signals, sorcery...) and we'll look forward to seeing you in September!