@monarcwriter
Educator, writer, game designer. Here to promote my work, connect with others, and share the occasional musing on games, shows, pop culture, and education. monarcwriter.substack.com monarcwriter.carrd.co
@drivethrurpg.com's PocketQuest2026 is upon us, and in this week's newsletter I offer a look at my process designing games for previous PocketQuests, hopefully to give some guidance and insight to those interested in participating this year.
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/my-pocketq...
Box art for the board game “Calico.” An orange cat sleeps on a patchwork quilt.
Played our second cat-themed board game (that we checked out from the library) last night with our kid: Calico by Kevin Russ.
Easy to learn and play, and was impressed that kiddo was strategizing her moves several turns ahead to make sure she got the cats she wanted!
The box for the board game “The Isle of Cats.” Multi-colored cats crawl around stone blocks that spell out the title, with a ship sailing towards an island in the background.
My local library system has a robust board game collection, and the kiddo and I are using it to try out new games.
She is currently obsessed with cats, so we are going to check out many cat-themed games. First up: “Isle of Cats” by Frank West.
Some highlights of crowdfunding projects and charity bundles, as well as a look into how I find art for my game design projects in this week’s MonarcWriter newsletter.
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/design-dia...
A review of the charming “Seasons of Magic” by @dungeonofthedragon.bsky.social (Chaosium’s 2024 BRP Challenge winner) in this week’s newsletter. Also, updates and a sale on school-themed MonarcWriter games!
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/game-revie...
“Good Nature Scenario Decks” is today’s Deal of the Day on DrivethruCards! 80% off!
Designed to teach cooperation and social skills to kids, and great for the classroom! The cards are a great way for kids to run the game with minimal assistance.
www.drivethrucards.com/en/product/5...
Painted miniatures of X-Men characters from the Marvel United board game. From left to right: Beast, Jean Grey, Cyclops, Mystique, and Wolverine.
I finished painting my first set of Marvel United miniatures last weekend. It’s a lot of fun and very relaxing. My kiddo even helped with some of them! Yeah, this is my new hobby…
A box of Army Painter Speed Paint 2.0 Most Wanted set, a can of White matte primer, a set of brushes, and a set of Speed Paint pens.
I got a few board games with minis as Christmas gifts over the holidays, so I purchased some Speed Paints to color them and I guess I have a new hobby now.
A 3D printed organizer for tokens from the board game “Marvel United.” Slots are shaped to fit each of the unique tokens from the game.
A 3D printed organizer for the board game “Final Girl”. It is divided into sections to hold dice, cards, tokens, and meeples.
My local library has a maker space with free 3D printing. I have been having way too much fun printing up organizers and mods for my tabletop games over the last few weeks!
A look back at MonarcWriter’s games, projects, and accomplishments from 2025; and a look ahead at games and projects in development for the new year in this week’s newsletter.
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/monarcwrit...
My games and books are all on sale!
50% off if you get the everything bundle, 30% off individual titles, and funds earned goes toward supporting TTRPGkids projects!
itch.io/s/170244/bla...
The final set of reviews from @dmsguild.com’s recent Game Jam in this week’s MonarcWriter newsletter. 5 more adventures featuring Baldur’s Gate!
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/baldurs-ga...
@dmsguild.com is also having their Black Friday sale, including my newest collaborative release, The Sorcerer's Slam Book, at its lowest price ever! Pick up this amazing Strixhaven anthology by 9 amazing game designers at a 30% discount!
www.dmsguild.com/en/product/5...
Black Friday Sale at DrivethruRPG! All of my original games and card decks are currently at 30% off as part of @drivethrurpg.com’s Black Friday Sale! Pick up a copy of Good Nature, Into the Starlit Sky, Vanity, GEMS, or A Dream of Thorns and Roses!
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher...
This review roundup of the Game Jam made my day! The section on The Gate’s Old Wound captures the adventure so well. Give it a read and check out the other amazing creators who took part!
More reviews of projects from @dmsguild.com recent Game Jam in this week’s MonarcWriter newsletter. 4 more adventures and 2 more supplements featuring Baldur’s Gate!
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/baldurs-ga...
A playing card for the game "A Name For Nobody." The 3 of Hearts, titled "Mushroom Forest." Text box on the left reads: "The fungus bursts through the earth, growing tall as the trees. Their brightly colored domes occassionally crackle with sparks of neon lightning." On the right is an image of large red mushrooms growing in front of trees. The bottom has two boxes: one labeled "Forgetful" and the other labeled "Recollection".
A playing card for the game "A Name For Nobody." The 9 of Spades, titled "Frolicking Fairies." Text box on the left reads: "They dance among the flowers in the fields, prancing through the light... And as the insects pollinate, so too do the pixies spread chaos and delight..." On the right is an image of a faire holding a book in one hand and a pink flower as big as its body in the other hand. The bottom has two text boxes: one labeled "Forgetful" and the other labeled "Bargain".
You can help me support Team Feed and donate to Feeding America here:
teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/participants...
I committed to releasing previews of my game, “A Name For Nobody,” for every $50 milestone of donations. With over $100 raised so far, here are the first two previews!
The Mystery Business (by @lysander03.bsky.social) and Good Nature (by @monarcwriter.bsky.social) are on sale right now!
Find my reviews below with links to the sale pages!
The Mystery Business:
www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/03/07/r...
Good Nature:
www.ttrpgkids.com/2022/09/28/r...
All month long, the MonarcWriter newsletter will be reviewing and highlighting projects from DMsGuild’s recent Game Jam. This first week of reviews features 4 adventures and 2 supplements set in Baldur’s Gate!
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/baldurs-ga...
You can support Team Feed (led by @storytellingco.bsky.social) and donate to Feeding America here:
teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/participants...
I will be releasing weekly previews of my game, “A Name For Nobody,” for every $50 milestone of donations!
Cover image for the game "A Name For Nobody". A shadow figure filled with specks of starlight plunges down form a darkened rain into a white ocean, with the faded text of many names behind them.
The first week of the Feeding America fundraiser has brought in over $100 of donations! Here's a preview of the game I'm writing for donations:
A Name For Nobody
“Explore a realm of folktales in search of your stolen name, while bringing hope to the forgotten by granting them names of their own.”
I've joined @storytellingco.bsky.social to help end hunger in America by supporting Team Feed. Support by donating any amount! If I reach my goal: I'll create a deck of cards for the game I'm writing, available to all donors as thanks!
teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/participants...
For the MonarcWriter Halloween newsletter, I look back at the design process for my fairy-tale horror game, "Vanity: Glass & Stone." Also: a new release, a Halloween sale, and a charity fundraiser!
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/design-dia...
I wrote a lil summer camp foray in this. :D
The Sorcerer’s Slam Book is now available @dmsguild.com!
9 designers have crafted this collection of over 100 pages of Relationship-focused encounters for the “Fellow Student” NPCs from Strixhaven.
To celebrate, a 25% discount is available for a limited time!
site.dmsguild.com/product/5412...
I recently adapted two of my card-based TTRPGs (GEMS and Vanity) to be playable in Tabletop Simulator! I write about the process in this week’s newsletter, and share links to add the games to TTS for free!
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/design-dia...
I have a few books in the Strixhaven sale going on at @dmsguild.com right now! Look for “Fantastic Field Studies” and “Fantasy Couture for Magical Galas” at big discounts!
The MonarcWriter newsletter is back from its summer hiatus! This week, I reflect on a year of reviews of TTRPGs and writing about game design and my creative process. Also, some highlights from my summer!
monarcwriter.substack.com/p/news-anniv...
ICYMI, yesterday the pre-launch page went live for Little but Fierce, the rewrite of D&D 5th Edition for kids as young as six.
Please share with parents, teachers and other guardians of small people :)
www.kickstarter.com/projects/dcb...
“A Dream of Thorns and Roses” was originally created for PocketQuest, which limited the PDF to 24 pages.
The additional content in the physical version is available as a separate free download: www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5...
And Thanks for picking up the game! I hope you enjoy it!