Matt's Journal

Quick list 12/21

2009-12-21T15:28:59Z

Just a few things to start the week:

The DriveThruComics Holiday Sale is ending soon. Lots of great indie and small press comics are an additional 10% Off. You can even buy DriveThruComics Gift Certificates for friends/family.

Speaking of gifts, Toys for Tots could still use a little help this year.

Wondering about the weather? How does your location compare to various planets in the Star Wars Universe? Check out the Star Wars Weather Forecast and find out.

Madison Games Day 3 is scheduled for Jan 23rd. I'll be running demos of Castle Panic, Obsidian and Munchkin Cthulhu. I'll also have a big stack of other games on hand.

Climate Summit

2009-12-18T16:40:26Z

Reviews

2009-12-14T00:34:52Z

Lots and lots of new reviews at Flames Rising:

The Apex Book of World SF - Apex Book Company
Critter Cache: Lovecraftian Bestiary - Goodman Games
No Door, No Windows - Joe Schreiber
Blood of the Innocent - StoryWeaver
A Very Scary Solstice - H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society
Cthulhu 101 - Atomic Overmind
Demon Inside - Stacia Kane
Witch of Salem - Mayfair Games
DragonArt - FW Media
The Cold Case of Robert Suydam - Super Genius Games

More on the way this week including Supernatural Adventures, My Dead Body, Sha’Daa: Tales of the Apocalypse and more.

Updates to the DriveThruComics Holiday Sale!

2009-12-10T17:42:14Z

Two big additions to the DriveThruComics Holiday Sale!

Heroic Publishing - Champions, Flare, Liberty Girl.
Airship Entertainment - Girl Genius

Both of these publishers are now offering an extra 10% Off their comics as part of the sale.

For the complete list of sale items check out DriveThruComics.com today!

Snow

2009-12-09T17:41:56Z

Well...winter finally arrived here in Madison. We had quite a bit of snow over night and they are saying 2 to 4 inches more of it today. We managed to help get a few of the neighbors out of the lot and cleared off the steps/sidewalks so far.

From: Madison.com - Winter storm photo gallery

Quick list 12/1

2009-12-01T22:02:51Z

Where did 2009 go? How is it December already?

Anyway, list:

The DriveThruComics Holiday Sale continues this month with an additional 10% Off tons of titles from folks like 2000 AD (Judge Dredd), Green Ronin (Wild Cards RPG), Nifty Comics (Cadre), Apex Book Company (Harlan County Horrors), 12 to Midnight (Buried Tales of Pinebox) and more.

Flames Rising has a new preview of Keith Pyeatt's novel Dark Knowledge available now.

Flames Rising also posted the first several parts of the Winter Holiday Gift Guide this past weekend.

darkshiver has started the December Writing Marathon over on her site.

Noble Knight Games has a new fan page over on Facebook so stop by and join up.

Sales! lots of 'em...

2009-11-27T16:40:35Z

Here are some of the various sales for games, comics and other goodies:

The Flames Rising RPGNow Sale Guide has a list of publisher deals here:

http://flamesrising.rpgnow.com/rpg_saleguide.php

Fantasy Flight Games has a Holiday Sale:

http://store.fantasyflightgames.com/client/client_pages/sale2009.cfm

DriveThruComics.com has launched a Holiday Sale:

http://comics.drivethrustuff.com/dtc_holidaysale.php

Instant Antagonist: The Selfish Succubus by Jess Hartley.

2009-11-19T18:12:58Z

INSTANT ANTAGONISTS are systemless creatures or beings designed for use in modern supernatural/horror games. Many will be supernatural in nature; some will be (at least nominally) human. Some are truly evil, others simply selfish or immoral, others may be victims themselves.

Perfect for modern horror gaming that might need a new twist on old legends. The INSTANT ANTAGONISTS line offers details on each monsters origins, powers and plenty of story hooks to include them in your modern horror games.

The Selfish Succubus

Lily Sinclaire is a dream come true and your worst nightmare all wrapped up in one.

Is she a demon or a witch? Will she seduce the monster hunters or manipulate them into fighting against her enemies? When comes to magic, how far will a mage go to learn her secrets? When Lily is around, vampires just might have some competition for the best mortals to feed on.

The Selfish Succubus is one monster you're just dying to get to know better...

Written by jesshartley with art by wolf_in_exile.

The Selfish Succubus is available at the Flames Rising RPGNow Shop.

Quick List 11/17

2009-11-17T13:56:47Z

Lots of new reviews at Flames Rising, including:

eCollapse by Greg Stolze
Goblin Markets by Jess Hartley
First Lord's Fury by Jim Butcher

There is a new Fan Page for Noble Knight Games on Facebook. There will be news about the site and store, contests and other gamer gossip posted throughout.

We are making plans for Madison Games Day 3. We're currently checking out available dates in January, so if you have a preference, let us know. We are also looking at extra events such as a Board Game Day and looking for folks to help us run games at the Children's hospital.

Salvatore(s) Interview

2009-11-11T23:36:25Z

FlamesRising.com is pleased to present an exclusive interview with Bob Salvatore and his son, Geno. R.A. Salvatore has written dozens of best-selling books such as The Ghost King, Road of the Patriarch and Highwayman. The Stowaway, the first in the Stone of Tymora series, is Geno Salvatore’s debut novel.

In this interview, we discuss the young adult series entitled Stone of Tymora which is co-written by Geno and R.A. Salvatore.

Interview with Geno and Bob Salvatore

Stay tuned to Flames Rising for more interviews, reviews and previews of your favorite horror and dark fantasy titles.

NeonCon

2009-11-05T16:15:26Z

Just about to head out for NeonCon. Looks like it should be fun trip, plenty to do and some great folks at the show.

We'll be back sometime on Monday. Hopefully I'll get a blog post in during the show, but we'll have to see how busy I am and what the internet access looks like.

World of Darkness fans, we now have a print-friendly option for The Devil's Night SAS. Just scroll down to the bottom of the page if you'd like to print it out.

Quick list 11/04

2009-11-04T16:11:24Z

12 to Midnight has posted a teaser for the upcoming ETU: Degrees of Horror Savage Worlds sourcebook.

Flames Rising has its first book review written entirely in verse. Check out Steven Dawes review of Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers (published by Coscom Entertainment).

We're headed out to NeonCon later this week. Some excellent panelists will be there as well. John Wick, Jess Hartley, Stan! and more will be at the GamesU (the Social Games Unconference).

Voting has begun in the Project Fanboy Awards. So comic fans, get over there and support your favorite indie comics.

Back from ICC

2009-11-02T17:56:55Z

Two blog posts so far:

Vampires in Atlanta

A Few More Monsters

More photos in the blog posts linked above and on Facebook. More are on the way as I get caught up with my to-do list...

The Devil’s Night - A Free WoD SAS at Flames Rising!

2009-10-28T14:00:22Z

Stop by the Flames Rising website for a Free Storytelling Adventure System scene and character for use with the World of Darkness!

The Devil's Night (World of Darkness)

As the player characters plan for All Hallows Eve, they suddenly find themselves embroiled into a deadly fight with a pyrokinetic named Gabriella who has lost control of her ability. Several buildings around the city are on fire; this offers the player characters plenty of options to find and determine the best way of dealing with an “innocent” teenage pyrokinetic.

Read all about the Flames Rising collaboration with White Wolf from Devil's Night author Monica Valentinelli at FlamesRising.com.

To learn more about the Storytelling Adventure System, be sure to read the free SAS Guide, found at the SAS website: www.white-wolf.com/sas.

Quick list 10/25

2009-10-25T20:38:03Z

darkshiver recently did an interview with Ryan Macklin for Master Plan Podcast

Also at Flames Rising is a new Interview with Anton Strout, author of Dead to Me and other works.

2000 AD has uploaded a ton of new Judge Dredd (and other characters) products at DriveThruComics.com.

I'm headed out for Atlanta in a couple of days for ICC and the WW Halloween party. Who else is going to be in town?

Madison gamers, amanofhats will be running Little Fears Nightmare Edition demos at Pegasus Game's Spooktacular on the 31st.

Quick list 10/21

2009-10-21T13:27:55Z

On the Flames Rising website, jesshartley shares 13 Halloween Etiquette Tips From One Geek to Another.

Anyone have thoughts on B&N’s New E-Book Reader?

It is Halloween at DriveThruComics.com with all kinds of cool horror titles from Archaia, Heske Horror, Jester Press, Studio 407, Moonstone and more included.

Even Hulu is getting in one the Halloween fun with the Huluween event.

Have you pre-ordered Changes yet? It is next year's Dresden Files book. While Turn Coat had a few elements that didn't work for me, I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Little Fears Nightmare Edition Now Available!

2009-10-19T13:33:02Z

The critically-acclaimed game of childhood terror is back in Little Fears Nightmare Edition!

Monsters are real and they hunt children like you from the shadows. As a child, you have your wits, your belief, and the friends by your side. No adults can help you. No one else can save you. It's just you and the monsters.

Completely reimagined, with an all-new system, Little Fears Nightmare Edition is the definitive version of the classic game.

Little Fears Nightmare Edition is available at the Flames Rising RPGNow Shop.

MGD2 and Halloween Sale

2009-10-16T21:58:23Z

Madison Games Day 2 is tomorrow! Lots of games including Little Fears Nightmare Edition, Castle Panic, Monster Mayhem, Munchkin Cthulhu, Gloom, All Flesh Must Be Eaten, Hunter: the Vigil and more!

So, Madison/Milwaukee folks, who is making the trip?

Buried Tales of Pinebox Texas is on sale for only $0.99 as part of 12 to Midnight's Halloween sale!

The Savage Worlds Pinebox Adventures are also on sale for a limited time. They are all 50% off for Halloween.

Quick list 10/14

2009-10-14T16:27:06Z

The last of the 13 Doors previews for Little Fears Nightmare Edition is now available at Flames Rising.

Torn Apart by Radiation Wraiths by Filamena Young & David Hill is available now for only $1.99.

Bill White contributed a design essay to Flames Rising, be sure to check out Designing Ganakagok: The Certainty of Change.

Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard a new mini-series with creators handpicked by David Petersen are given a chance to explore the world of "Mouse Guard."

Derek Gunn's new novel, Vampire Apocalypse: Fallout, is out and looks pretty awesome. Recently the series was optioned for a Graphic Novel by New Baby Productions.

Madison Games Day 2

2009-10-11T20:13:47Z

Madison Games Day 2 is all about the spookier side of gaming. Gamers in and around the Madison, Wisconsin area have a chance to meet new people and play new games. In addition to all the other great games, there will be horror-themed games and events.

We invite everyone in the area (or willing to make the trek) to come and play some games! There will be indie and mainstream roleplaying games, card games, and board games. If you have something you’d like to play, bring it!

Date, Time, & Location:

Saturday, October 17th, 12pm – 10pm
The Pizza Oven (5417 Monona Drive, Monona, WI. 53716)

I will be running demos of Castle Panic, Munchkin Cthulhu, Aletheia and I'll have plenty of other games on hand such as Gloom, Monster Mayhem and Dark Influences (just to name a few).

I will also be recruiting for a LARP event and asking folks what they'd like me to run (currently leaning towards either City in the Sand or Obsidian).

amanofhats will be running demos of Little Fears Nightmare Edition. MGD2 is also the official release party for LFNE, so don't miss out.

Quick list 10/6

2009-10-06T19:49:41Z

I posted a few thoughts on Review Copies and the FTC (new rules from the FTC and various amounts of panic from certain corners of the web).

You only have One Week Left to Pre-order Little Fears Nightmare Edition. You even get The first PDF supplement Campfire Tales #1 Free if you pre-order the book.

Madison Games Day 2 is less than two weeks away. We'll have demos of Little Fears Nightmare Edition, Castle Panic, Munchkin Cthulhu, All Flesh Must Be Eaten, Monster Mayhem, Murder City, Gloom and more on hand.

Jess Hartley's Conventions for the Aspiring Game Professional remains the #1 seller on the Top 100 Products list at the Flames Rising shop. Thanks to everyone who has picked up a copy and/or helped spread the word about it.

Random Horror Plot Generator

2009-10-06T18:12:27Z

Just in time for Halloween, we have come up with a special treat for all you horror authors and storytellers out there.

We’ve put our heads together and came up with a random horror plot generator for you to have fun with:

http://www.flamesrising.com/horror-plot-generator

I'm thinking about do a fiction contest where all of the entries have to be based on something from the plot generator. Could be fun.

Halloween mailing

2009-10-03T13:34:16Z

We're going to be sending out a bunch of postcards for Halloween this year so if you would like to get on the list post your address below.

Comments are screened so only I'll be able to see them.

Just something fun to celebrate our favorite holiday.

Conventions for the Aspiring Game Professional

2009-10-02T12:35:17Z

Want to write for games?

Think your art is ready for professional publication?

Not sure how to get your foot in the door?

Freelance writer/editor/game creator Jess Hartley shares her secrets for using conventions as an entry into the game industry.

This was originally a series of articles presented on Jess' website to offer her experiences and advice to potential freelancers looking to make the best use of their time during the summer 2009 convention season.

Recently revised and updated with expanded information, Jess Hartley's Conventions for the Aspiring Game Professional is available now for only $1.99.

Get it today at the Flames Rising RPGNow Shop.

This is the first product released under the Flames Rising Press label and I'm thrilled that Jess (jesshartley) has decided to work with us on her first indie project.

Stay tuned for more cool stuff from Flames Rising Press including games, fiction and more.

Support Our 'Zines Day

2009-10-01T18:37:04Z

Today is Support Our 'Zines Day! and I highly recommend folks check out Apex Magazine for some great fiction, essays and more.

Apex Magazine is available at DriveThruSciFi.com.