Operation Bounce House is here to hold over fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl! Operation Bounce House: https://amzn.to/4s7IoD1 Gamer (2009): https://youtu.be/z88gktIxS-I
This book may surprise you. It isn’t saying characters can’t fight. It expands what it can mean to fight. Ertsgaard makes strong arguments for incorporating nonviolence into characters and story, using examples from across media. Discussion of character arcs, plots and world-building, with exercise throughout to test the ideas yourself. I found it an excellent source of ideas on subverting reader expectations. Mentioned: A Writer’s Guide to Peace: https://amzn.to/4017irz Nonviolence and the Hero’s Duel: https://www.sfwa.org/2021/06/29/nonviolence-and-the-heros-duel/ Solarpunk and Peace Poetics: https://www.peacejusticestudies.org/chronicle/solarpunk-and-peace-poetics/ Carl’s Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman: https://amzn.to/4akQS2k The Weight of Light: A Collection of Solar Punk Futures: https://csi.asu.edu/books/weight/ Fantasy Scroll Magazine: https://iulianionescu.com/fantasy-scroll-magazine/ __ Follow me on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nfbmxK
Author Update, Challenges, and I got accepted into an MFA Program.
Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl is one of the best first books in a series I’ve read in a while. Let’s explore all the elements that make this book work so well. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman: https://amzn.to/3M4rLIR Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman - https://amzn.to/4r8J9uW
I found Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne much more interesting than I expected. I talk about what I think science fiction writers can learn from this early “hard” science fiction and what probably doesn’t work for modern readers. William Butcher Translation: https://amzn.to/3NvilGy The Adventures of Lumen N: https://amzn.to/49Uggwx
Some quick thoughts on considerations about generative AI and writing groups, “vibe-writing” and other ways your group should be talking about these things now before something blows up.
A starting point for what I plan to get done in 2026. 4 Novels: Grimm’s War 2: Advance By Fire Grimm’s War 3: ? Lyssa’s Betrayal ?? Libertycon Organizing all the stuff Spending none of the money Books mentioned: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman https://amzn.to/4ppkZej
A recap on what I accomplished in 2025, what went wrong, where I traveled (and didn’t travel), what was important and what I probably should have ignored, the importance of showing up every day, calling friends, and generally reaching out to people.
It’s been a rough week. Spoiler alert: I didn’t get as much done as I’d hoped. Here are a few reasons why. Books mentioned Quantum Supremacy by Michio Kaku https://amzn.to/3MNSpFU
Journal for 12-16-25. Changing my plan for short stories this year, how I’m outlining for Advance by Fire, thoughts on Kindle “Ask This Book” feature, and what I’ve been reading. What’s the Kindle Ask This Book feature? https://www.makeuseof.com/controversial-new-ai-feature-launches-kindle/
After five years, Lyssa’s Vengeance is finished. Also editing Retreat Hell. On trying to make a story prompt work and giving up. Outlining, Outlining, Outlining Changing up video to maintain my writing time. Books mentioned: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne Article Mentioned: https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/ai-is-destroying-the-university-and-learning-itself
A book review (spoilers!) of Shift, book 2 in the Silo series, by Hugh Howey
Creating your own discipline is also hard, but here are some ways to make it easier.
I just attended OryCon 45 in Portland Oregon, the last event of the long-running PNW science fiction convention. Why is OryCon ending? As a creator, if you aren’t on any panels, should you volunteer with a convention? Check out my work: https://jamesaaron.net/books