I'm done. My part of Savage Mojo's Shanghai Vampocalypse RPG book is donedonedone. (At least until edits are required.)

I'm exhausted and hopped up on caffiene. I'm hungry and have nothing but cookies to eat unless I want to cook which I don't at 2:15am.

I feel good though. I'm proud of my book. I believe the final hardcopy book comes out in February 2010. I'm looking forward to seeing it in print with Aaron (aaronace) and Sean's (seantaclaus) and artwork and Alan's (izombieyou) crunchy bits and Martin's edits.

But I'm done! This is the third book written this year.

SOLD
I sold the reprint of "Nothing Left to Salvage" to the Zomobauts anthology by Library of Living Dead Press.

I sold "Eulogy for Muffin" to the Ladies of Horror anthology by Library of Horror Press.


IN PROGRESS
I am almost done with my Savajo Mojo RPG demigod book, Shanghai Vampocalypse. The final draft will be on the editor's desk no later than the 19th of December

I am in the middle of The Ross-Allen Letters, the website fiction serial that will be up on the Colonial Gothic website in 2010. I am writing this fiction series with the fabulous Dylan Birtolo AKA eyezofwolf.

As for Monica's December Marathon, I wrote 12,000 words this week. That puts me up to 19,000 out of 20,000 = 95% complete. I have about another 10,000 words to go to finish out my contracts gigs for December.


EDITOR
As Editor-in-Chief of the Edge of Propinquity, I signed on author Seanan McGuire AKA seanan_mcguire (Rosemary and Rue) as a Universe Author for 2010.

As a Submissions Editor for Apex Publications, I've passed my 300th slush story read for the magazine this year since I started in April 2009.

I am in the final stages of author edits for the "Close Encounters of the Urban Kind" anthology for Apex Publications before I start the anthology's layout.

Remember that a new issue of the Edge of Propinquity is posted on the 15th of every month. This is free fiction for your enjoyment.


FORTHCOMING
In a Gilded Light: 105 Tales of the Macabre, my forthcoming vignette collection just got its first blurb:

"Masterfully crafted, this collection of vignettes by Jennifer Brozek will take you on a spine-tingling rollercoaster ride that shatters any illusion that there is nothing to be afraid of in the dark. These beautifully written stories are a thrill to read, but be warned: enter the darkness of In a Gilded Light and nothing, not even an adorable puppy, will ever look the same again."
-- Lizzy Shannon, author of Time Twist, Dragon Moon Press

I am doing Monica Valentinelli's December Writing Marathon. I don't give daily word counts because, honestly, that's boring and I'm too busy writing.

Progress: 7000/20000 = 35% complete

I have between 13000 and 16000 words left on Shanghai Vampocalypse for Savage Mojo and 6000 words to do on The Ross-Allen Letters for Rogue Games' Colonial Gothic.

I am joining Monica Valentinelli's December Writing Marathon. It is a 20,000+ word stretch that gets to encompass everything I need to get done before the end of the year. So, why not join. It's a little added bonus towards something I'm already doing. Sometimes, the dark of winter is hard on the motivation.

So, things I must get done before the end of the year:

Continue: Shanghai Vampocalypse for Talisman Studios. (Actual word count unknown based on how much I'm doing in November. 10,000+ words)

Start: Serial fiction for Colonial Gothic with Dylan Birtolo, 6 months worth (6000 words)

Start: Adventure series for Pathfinder, 3 months worth (7500 words)

Start: Serial fiction for Pathfinder with Filamena Young, 3 months worth (3000 word)

I swear, in January, I'm going to take a bit of a break so I can let my creative well recharge.

"It looks like "Proverbial Monsters", written by Jennifer Brozek, will be one of the best-selling digital RPG products of the last couple weeks, and we'll be featuring it on RPG Countdown: http://rpgcountdown.com/" ~Ed Healy

My life is all about writing. It has to be when it comes to being a freelance author. However, writing is not just having your butt in the chair and your fingers on the keyboard for me. There's the writing then the editing, then the submissions, then the hunting for more writing contracts, then the announcements of acceptance, then publication and all of the PR that is needed in today's publishing arena for the freelance author.

I've got some cool stuff interrupting me right now. The first is that my solo RPG book for the White Wolf SAS line, Proverbial Monsters, is out and it looks just so awesome. I am in love with the artwork by Justin Norman. It was like he was in my head when he drew the artwork for my book. Currently, it is still in the top five best sellers on DriveThruRPG.com which makes me happy. It was even #1 there for a while. I have not read any reviews yet and I'm not certain I will because of my tendency to focus on the negatives of any review rather than the positives.

I also just turned in my second PDF Setting for Colonial Gothic called Plymouth Rock. It is about Plymouth, Massachusetts in the 1770's. I turn one of the oldest colonies into a place of mystery and horror while keeping as much of the historical accuracy as I can. I love doing that. Honestly, it wasn't that hard. The history of Plymouth is filled with interesting factoids that could be bent to look like something else. I always learn something new when I do a PDF Setting for Colonial Gothic. It's one of the reasons I like writing for them.

The most immediate interruption I have is my best friend from CA, Heather, is visiting this week and I won't have the opportunity (or motivation) to put in my normal ten hour days. We've got some shopping planned, a movie (Zombieland) to go to and the Woodland Zoo to visit. It's going to be a good visit before I dive into some serious writing.

The rest of my year is completely contracted out writing-wise. I am booked and this makes me very happy. So, what's on my plate? ( All good things to write about. )

From Margaret Weis Productions, the Big Damn Heroes Handbook is available on RPG.DriveThruStuff. I worked on this product at the end of last year and it is finally out. I've looked through the PDF (only $26!) and it is beautiful. I can't wait to get my hands on the hardcopy of the book.

I got a ping today that began with "What does your schedule look like right now?" and ended with "Ok, I will see you very soon at the office." The intervening conversation basically amounted to "Can you drop everything RIGHT NOW and start a short term gig writing for us?" I looked at my schedule and, yes, I could. It won't be easy with the Apex novella, trying to get my house in order to sell and doing the final edits on a short story for the Dark Futures anthology submission. Oh, and slush from Apex and TEoP.

This interview/conversation with Marti had started weeks ago when she asked for writing samples. I had sent her stuff from Dragonlance, Colonial Gothic and my Permuted Press zombie short story A Bite to Remember. And then she could not immediately hire me due to budget.

That changed. Thus, this morning's IM conversation that also included a short phone interview with Dave Noonan.


"Hi. Is Jennifer Brozek there? This is Dave Noonan."

"This is she. Hello Dave. I recognize your name but I don't know why?"

"Oh, probably because I wrote some D&D stuff."

"That would explain it."


So, now I am about to be contracted to work at NCsoft (Guild Wars) on their newest MMORPG Aion. I've read through the lore on the wiki and it looks pretty darned good. I'm going to enjoy being a pinch hitter writer for this new product. All we have to do now is wait for the contracts and such to go through HR and I'm in like Flynn.

In the meantime, I'm going to ramp up this editing on this Apex novella.

Newly revised and expanded, this edition of Colonial Gothic builds upon what has come before and presents new options and guidelines for running a supernatural historical horror roleplaying game set during the dawn of the American Revolution. Also included in the book are three new original short stories penned by Jennifer Brozek.

Beginning today, June 22, 2009, you can now pre-order Colonial Gothic Revised direct from IPR, and in doing so, you get a free copy of the Rulebook PDF now. Be the first to discover the horror lurking in the colonies, and be the first to see all the exciting additions to the game.

The question remains: whose side are you on?

Details

Price: $24.99 (print)/$9.99 (eBook/PDF)
Page Count: 298 page
Size: 6″x9″ b&w softcover

… you distinctly remember dreaming a running monologue of how you will do an RPG book proposal for one of the companies you freelance for, right down to word counts per section and which parts you want to write for the book because you know you cannot write the whole thing yourself.

(eddyfate, this is the proposal I've tossed out at you and am figuring how to write up.)

First reaction: I like the layout.

Many game publishers have sadly tended toward "information overload". Two columns, sidebars, insets, etc. etc. I love Steve Jackson, I love GURPS, but reading his books is an ADD's nightmare at times.

This is clean and accessible. Not just accessible to me, but also accessible to people with print disabilities (I think. I need to hand it to diannaamarich later. But it passes every test I have for it. :))
~ talvinamarich
----------------------------------

Wow! Both of the other two pdf's were top notch, especially for the price of $1 but this one goes up to 11!

At 40+ pages it's about 1/3 the size of Secrets for less than 1/10 of the price. I really like how it is a microcosm of the setting. Not only are there Freemasons, Royal Society & Rosicrucians present but the factions of the groups as well. This makes it a cinch to tie into pretty much whatever kind of game you have or plan to have.

My only minor criticism is the lack of a map of the town and/or environs. And for the price I am more than willing to forgive it. Maybe I'll see what my google-fu can turn up and post it here if I find anything.
~ Email sent to the publisher yesterday.

(clicky-link)

In 1739, Jonathan Hager, a German immigrant from Pennsylvania and a volunteer Captain of Scouts, purchases 200 acres of land in the Great Appalachian Valley between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains in Maryland and calls it Hager’s Fancy. At this time, there are already about 100 settlers in the area. In 1762, Hager officially founded the town of Elizabethtown which he names after his wife, Elizabeth Kershner. Although the town's official name is Elizabethtown, the popular name for it becomes Hagerstown.

Now ready for your Colonial Gothic games, Colonial Gothic: Elizabethtown is a full colonial community ready for play now. From mysteries, to random events. From new monsters, to a detailed setting, Colonial Gothic: Elizabethtown is written for both the player and Gamemaster.

Uncover the plots of the Freemasons. Face the Boo Hag. Explore a region at the brink of conflict. Colonial Gothic: Elizabethtown is ready for you.

If you play Colonial Gothic and would like a free copy of the PDF to review (of course, it's only $1 on DriveThruRPG.com), email me and I will hook you up.

My White Wolf SAS project came in. No doubt, it's a big one. 33,000 words in just about six weeks. Normally, I wouldn't sweat it at all. However, I have a friend visiting and a convention to go to between now and then.

However, my editor asked if I wanted a second author to help me out because of the word count and deadline. My first immediate reaction was akin to my cat, Isis, with a feathered toy in her mouth – snarling and growling while trying to yank it away – a very clear "MINE!" reaction.

My second response was to actually think about things. Pro-panelist listen to thine own advice. Don't take a contract unless you are certain you can get it done in time AND do a professional job. OK. Yes, friend and convention coming up. However, if I average a good 1000 words a day, it will be no sweat. My friend knows I need to write while she's here and I can double up days to make up for the convention. OK. Yes, I can take it.

But let me tell you, this is my first White Wolf SAS project and I do not want to share it with anyone. Sometimes, I can be selfish and I know it.

I have finished the first polished draft of the Colonial Gothic PDF setting Elizabethtown and turned it in. It is 10,800 words long and it is only supposed to be 10,000. I'm pretty sure Richard will give me a bit of leeway on this but we'll see.

The rest of this week is busy with mostly fun stuff and that makes me happy.

Tuesday night – Shadowrun game. Yes! I get to play.
Wednesday day – Completing another Amazon gig.
Wednesday night – Hunter game.
Thursday day – Shopping for last minute convention and Valentine day stuff.
Thursday night – Packing
Friday through Sunday – Radcon!

I have finished the first *splat* of the Colonial Gothic PDF setting Elizabethtown. That's 10,700 words in 4 days. Not bad at all. Now I have another five days or so to edit it down and polish it all nice and neat. I like what I've done on this a whole lot. I still have a couple of facts I'm waiting on from the Historical Society in Maryland but the bulk of the work is done.

Now, I just have to remember to stay away from it for at least 24 hours.

( Elizabethtown WIP secret snippets )

Colonial Gothic has got to be the most research intensive RPG I have ever written for. Seriously, I've done about five weeks worth of research to get maybe 500 good words down. However, I seem to have hit an endpoint to all the research and I've been able to put down about 5000 good words in the last two days. I should have the *splat* of the contract done by Friday and start on the editing of it by Sunday… just in time to turn it in before I run off to Radcon.

( Elizabethtown )

Well, I'm under about 10 inches of snow and not going anywhere. Should be good for writing. I'm working on the first of two contracts for Rogue Games' Colonial Gothic.

Oh, huh. I forgot to mention I picked up a second contract for Colonial Gothic, didn't I. I did. It's gonna be awesome.

The best think I like about doing the Colonial Gothic is all of the historical research I need to do for the RPG. I've already discovered some interesting things for my particular project. For example, I get to put this footnote into this first document: Historical note: The City Council officially changed the community's name from Elizabethtown to Hagerstown in 1813 because the name had gained popular usage, and in 1814, the Maryland State Legislature officially endorsed the changing of the town’s name.

And this is the view from my front window:

First, my friend and I get to leave the hospital today. Soon. As in, by noon. I'm very happy. Serious. So is my friend.

Second, I got the best email from an editor. I turned in my stories for Colonial Gothic last week and this is what Richard told me this morning: "Good morning! Ok, I read the stories three times during the week, and each time I read them, I loved them even more. :) Seriously. You hit the nail on the head with them, and I happy to tell you, they are accepted. :) I will put the check in the mail on Monday. When I have the editors start editing, I will send you the red lines for your perusal. Honestly, great job. I am pleased as punch with them. :)"

Yes! I even made the "goal" victory sign when I read this. This is the exact response I'm looking for when I turn work in on commissioned projects. It's even better to be immediately paid for the work.

Colonial Gothic, 2nd Edition, will be out in July 2009

I just picked up another contract to do a setting PDF for Rogue Games' Colonial Gothic line. I proposed that, since PDFs are definitely here to stay, that I describe a setting in detail with plot-hooks galore for Colonial Gothic RPG fans to download and drop into their campaigns.

This is not an adventure module. This is a full descriptive setting with history, canon characters, places and events, as well as secret societies, open-ended mysteries, possibly a city map. I don't know for sure all that will be in it but I am really excited about this project.

This will be the first of its kind for Rogue Games' and that means it needs to be stellar. If it works well, it will probably become the template for future PDF Setting releases – some of which I intend to be contracted to do.

It pays to be forward thinking and willing to make suggestions.