It is a hard time to write right now. We all (I think) experience these moments—the tide has gone out, the sun is setting, the last cup of coffee didn’t do it and the next one won’t either. We need a rest.
So, please understand that I’ve got 100 amazing, thought-out, fascinating Substack posts in me. But not today. Today I have just an update. Here’s what I’m working on:
Launched: Free Isotope
I soft-launched Free Isotope! I consider it the minimally viable ruleset for Isotope. I wanted a free version of the game for people to download. I also plan to include it in every Isotope release. I don’t like the idea of a purchase that can’t be played on its own. For me, the smallest, most compact version is the best version. There will be better versions of Isotope coming, but this one is closest to my heart. You can get it on Drive Thru RPG. First spoon I get, I’ll post it to Itch.io as well.
Free Isotope got downloaded about 100 times in the first day. I think that’s pretty good, even for a free title. The story I’m telling myself is that a lot of folks will grab whatever is new and free. I’m hoping that the cover caught some people’s eyes and that they decided to get it for that reason. I got one 5-star review, so someone read it, or at least likes me.
More Isotope
There’s more Isotope in the pipeline. The bigger setting books, Farm and Suburbia, are far along and just need some editing to get them into the right format. The Henderson Ruin, a short adventure, I’m almost ready to publish. I’m kind of pushing on all the levers right now. I want one book in layout, one book in editing, and one in rough draft at any given time. I do best when I can switch back and forth between stuff.
Looking ahead
In March, I’m working on a super cool map to accompany the Backerkit campaign for Go Play NW. GPNW is our local home-grown indie tabletop gaming convention. I encourage anyone to come check it out. We always have a great time. I’m making a poster map to give to folks who back the campaign. Check out the campaign if you’re interested.
I want to publish a half-dozen Isotope things this year, before fall, even. Then I’ll take a break and evaluate how it’s doing.
And somewhere in there I’m taking a month off of Substack and Isotope to write something totally different. Call it my sabbatical.
And I’ve got a Megadungeon thing percolating that might start appearing in the Fall.
Conclusion
Hey, self care is real. I’m so glad that I’ve got supporters who are there for the fast times and the slow. If you like what you see, stop by Patreon and check it out. There’s tons of back stuff of mine there, and if you support me at almost any level, I’ll send you a postcard about once a quarter.
Days like that don't feel good. It's like the only source of escapism is deprived. Need to go and see the real life other than being lost in imaginary places of poems and fiction.
These days come and go. Keep writing!
The tides comes in, the tide goes out, the tide comes in again... Hey, and your slack water got nice drift wood!