It's gone public, so I can finally announce it: I am officially a Creative, a member of the TEGG Sessorium.
What is the TEGG Sessorium? Well, TEGG is The Ed Greenwood Group, and the Sessorium is a list of everybody working within it. I am now one of those people.
And in case you don't know who Ed Greenwood is, he is the author and creator of the Forgotten Realms, which became a world for Dungeons and Dragons. He has written countless novels, articles, and gaming supplement books.
And now, he's created his own publishing group, TEGG. He has created several new worlds, and is hiring Creatives to write and work within them.
He hired me.
What will I be doing for him, for TEGG? Well, I can't say yet. So mark your calendars for October 19th, when the majority of TEGG's super-secrets go live. You'll want to check out Onder Librum for all the details, and then keep your eyes open for an special blog post from me, detailing what I'll be producing over the next few years.
Just as a side-note, this is a HUGE deal; TEGG is massive, including over a dozen brand new worlds created by Ed Greenwood. This is going to be the biggest deal avid readers, gamers, etc., have seen in a long time. And I'm going to be one of many making it happen.
Check out WALLS and consider donating for your copy!
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In this article on Rolling Out, Mo Barnes discusses the academic benefits of playing RPGs. He specifically reaches out to the black community, encouraging them to give Dungeons and Dragons a look; he points out the need for skills in math, science, and strategy, not to mention imagination, all of which have lifelong benefits for our youth.
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There's a new book on the fantasy shelves, entitled "The Fifth Season."
The first of a series following a group of sorcerers with the power to control volcanoes and seismic activity in a world of natural disasters. Inspired in part by the #BlackLivesMatter campaign, and more specifically, the necessity of taking a hard look at police brutality in general, author N.K. Jemison processes the "systemic racism she lives with, sees, and is trying to come to terms with."
Whatever your views on the politics beneath the prose, The Fifth Season is bound to be an epic fantasy tale that will enthrall.
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As if Stephen King wasn't enough of a rock star, he's now joining a list of speculative fiction peeps, including Stan Lee, James Earl Jones, and George Lucas, who have been awarded the National Medal of Arts. He will receive the award on September 10, 2015.
Way to go, King!
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Couldn't make it to Gen Con this year? No worries. The A.V. Club has the scoop on a number of new games presented at the convention, including Pocket Imperium, London Dread, Hoax, and more.
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So for those of you involved in fandoms (I count myself a member of several), have you looked to see if your fandom does anything with charity? A number of fandoms use their passion to get together and raise money for good causes. Check out this article on Geek and Sundry to see what some of the latest projects have got going on.
Also, I'll be marking my calendar for May 2016. Whedonopolis, anybody? Who's with me?
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This last one might be just for me, but then again, I was a spelling bee nerd back in the day. Might have to hunt down episodes of the Great Australian Spelling Bee and join the throng of people excited about "feel-good TV" and realize how cool being a nerd can be.
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That's it for this week. What cool things in the world of nerdom have I missed? See you all later!
I think we all at some point in our lives dream about being rich and famous, some more than others. Me? I've imagined myself as a well-known and respected author since I was a small kid scribbling in journals. But it's only recently that I've truly begun to pursue the goal in reality.
And sure, I want to be rich and famous. I mean, what author doesn't dream of writing multiple best-sellers, making enough money that they never have to worry about how they're going to support their kids, showing up at a book signing and having fans lined up out the door? I'd be lying if I said I didn't have that dream. (And it looks like I may be on my way, but more on that next month.)
But what's more important to me now than achieving that dream, is to tell good stories. Write real characters. Stay true to myself as an author. Continually develop my craft. Never fall into the trap of thinking I have nothing left to learn.
After all, being rich and famous is awesome, and Smaug eventually made it. But...one must also consider where it got him. Am I right?
(Wow...this post took a turn right into touchy-feeling, philosophical, hoity-toityism, didn't it? Shit...)
**Disclaimer: This post is very video and image heavy. Please enjoy.**
Mark your calendars! November 21st, 2015, following the Montclair Film Festival, director JJ Abrams and LOTR expert Stephen Colbert will come together for an interview, where it is almost a guarantee they will engage in some nerdy debating. Want a front row seat? Tickets go on sale on September 11, 2015. For more details, check out comicbook.com.
For all you Zelda lovers out there (and while I'm not a huge nerd, I do know Zelda is the princess, Link is the hero--just wanted to let you all know, since I'm aware that's a huge point of contention), check out the work of Michael Eurek, who has used Unreal 4 to recreate Zora's Domain, one of the most famous levels of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, first released for Nintendo in 1998.
In case you've been following the origin stories of the Guardians of the Galaxy characters by Disney XD, in anticipation of animated series release, Gamora's origin story is now live.
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy - Gamora Origins Part 1
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy - Gamora Origins Part 2
Terry Brooks' "The Elfstones of Shannara" is heading to television. The Shannara Chronicles airs January 2016 on MTV. Looks like I've got some books to add to my reading list before the end of the year.
Here's one for not just the nerds, but the authors as well. Filmmaker and D&D devotee Matthew Robinson lays out his 4 Lessons in Storytelling. An excellent read for any storyteller. Give it a look!
Looking to shed some pounds? Find some inspiration at the Nerdstrong Gym, where they come up with "workouts for hobbits and Thors alike." I just might be giving the "Eye of Sauron" workout a try very soon.
And yes, I might get nailed for this last one, but hey, I can't lie and say I didn't love Power Rangers when I was a kid. I watched it fairly regularly and every now and again still have the urge to watch Mighty Morphin Power Rangers the Movie, starring characters Ivan Ooze and Dulcea. Whether I give in to that urge or not is better left unsaid.
Anyway, February 2016 will bring with it the release of the Legacy Thunder Megazord Die-Cast Action Figure, compatible with already released White Tigerzord.
Nerd toys for adults!!
That's it for this week. Check back next Wednesday for what's In the News in the world of nerdom.
