In this episode, Jared (the author) and Chris (the narrator) of Children of the Cold Moon talk about the story and the process of making the book. They introduce the last four chapters of Part 1 of the book. You get to listen to chapter 2. We hope you enjoy.
We hope you enjoy chapter one of our audiobook. Meet Bren and Tathan/Morias.
Read more on Royal Road:
Reader Compendium:
https://www.longwinded.one/season-5-the-children-of-the-cold-moon/
Book1:
Amos got in a car accident, and he didn't get isekaied, reincarnated or transmigrated! That happened five years later when his transplanted heart failed. But why would the Endless One grab an artist and animator to run a barony? What would the knowledge of thousands of hours of watching YouTube videos do to help a struggling barony prosper? Could it help shield the barony from the coming civil war of the kingdom of Falmoren?
Chosen of the Endless One
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/70775/chosen-of-the-endless-one-kingdom-building
Ben Kramer
Carson Spencer, author of Chosen of the Endless One, reflects on his progression from avid reader to Isekai writer. Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, Carson was drawn to the imagination of books and video games. Inspired by Russian litRPG classics like Way of the Shaman and the kingdom-building elements of Destiny’s Crucible, Carson shares how he created his unique world. This interview captures the essence of creativity and community within the Royal Road platform and the broader progression fantasy genre.
Survival Quest: Way of the Shaman
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CRD2FXM
All the Skills
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BM51RQR8
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/55687/all-the-skills-a-deckbuilding-litrpg
Chosen of the Endless One
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/70775/chosen-of-the-endless-one-kingdom-building
Join us as we talk to the author/narrator team of the Noobtown and Fifth Era Apocalypse series. We cover topics from the pop culture references in Noobtown to what the working title of book eight is. We even play a little game about the characters of Noobtown to see if the dynamic duo view the characters in the same light. Lastly, we learn about why there was a slight delay in Ryan's prolific publication schedule AND about Johnathan's new projects.
Note:
Since the recording of this podcast, our prediction about LitRPG has come true.
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/RyanTRimmel/
https://www.patreon.com/Noobtown
Fiona Swiftheart was the hero of Fiefdala. She banished the evil dragon lord to the swampy wastelands, and returned to the capital of the kingdom she saved--and then got taxed for the loot she took from the oversized lizard?! Too bad that no one told her the King went on a long-term vacation, before she got back. He put his scummy son on the throne, who decided cuteness and heroics weren't cool! Faced with either jail or paying up, Fiona traded in huge swords, armor, and the adventuring life to don a business suit and opened a merchant store, to try to sell off stuff that no one could possibly afford to buy! Except when she got her merchant license, she signed up for more than she bargained for! At least her business degree from her previous life wouldn’t be wasted. Join Fiona as she pursues a smaller life, builds hobbies, and makes friends who aren't dead set on fighting the next great villain at the drop of a hat! And pays taxes. She hates taxes. More than lawyers or lawmen.
Newly Broke Heroine!
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/95161/newly-broke-heroine-slice-of-life-fantasy-adventure
Gwen Leitner
Magius Swiftscale, author of The Newly Broke Heroine, shares how his love for reading Michael Crichton and Dragonlance novels shaped his passion for storytelling. A lifelong reader turned engineer, Magius reveals how modern technology helped him balance writing with his busy life. He discusses his journey into the litRPG space through Royal Road and emphasizes the importance of character-driven narratives in creating compelling stories. This interview highlights the blend of nostalgia and innovation in Magius’s work.
Newly Broke Heroine!
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/95161/newly-broke-heroine-slice-of-life-fantasy-adventure
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/Magius_Swiftscale
Bluesky
What happens when King Arthur is gone, and Camelot has an empty throne?
The answer: When legends die, new legends must be born.
Gawain, Knight of the Round Table, and the powerful witch Nimue, successor of Merlin, are faced with a kingdom in chaos after King Arthur's apparent death. In response, they form an alliance to take the throne of Camelot and restore the peace that King Arthur brought. But standing in their way are rebel factions, contenders and pretenders for the throne, enemy mages, and mysterious forces that seem to come from a Darkness beyond this world. So in order to bring peace, Gawain draws his sword, Nimue unleashes her magic, and together they prepare for...The War of Camelot.
The Book of Avalon Eternal
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/93279/the-book-of-avalon-eternal
X/Twitter
John Kennard
In this episode we talked with two podcasters: Max Heiliger of the CritRPG Podcast and Dakota VanLinden of the UpperPen Podcast. These two were inspiration to me, as I began season 5 and decided to switch to LitRPG authors and narrators. Come and listen as we talk about our favorite genres, and the secrets of what goes on behind the scene of a podcast.
Links:
In this interview, Austen Keats, author of The Book of Avalon Eternal, shares his deep love for Arthurian legend, tracing his inspirations back to classic fantasy works like The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings. He discusses the impact of Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur on his storytelling and reveals how speculative fiction shaped his writing journey. Austen also dives into his fascination with tabletop-inspired epics, such as the Malazan Book of the Fallen, which expanded his creative horizons. Fans of literary lore and Arthurian tales will find this conversation enchanting and insightful.
The Book of Avalon Eternal
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/93279/the-book-of-avalon-eternal
X/Twitter
Malazan Encyclopedia – An online resource for The Malazan Book of the Fallen series.
https://malazan.fandom.com/wiki/Malazan_Wiki
YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@AustenKeats
Royal Road Profile – Austen Keats' work on Royal Road.
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/93279/the-book-of-avalon-eternal
Le Morte d’Arthur – By Sir Thomas Malory.
The Once and Future King – By T.H. White (and its subset The Sword in the Stone and The Book of Merlin).
The Book of the New Sun – By Gene Wolfe.
The Malazan Book of the Fallen – By Steven Erikson and Ian C. Esselmont.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft – By Stephen King.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10569.On_Writing?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_16
The world is dying, and everyone knows it. But is the alternative worse? In rust-choked streets and hollowed-out cities, there is only one way out—Terra Mythica, a virtual world so immersive that time warps, hunger vanishes, and even the most broken can live like kings. Jace wasn’t supposed to make it in. He cheated death, and now it’s catching up to him. As the reluctant protégé of Hades, Jace finds himself thrust into Mount Olympus University, where gods manipulate Travelers, and the line between real and digital blurs with every step. Here, survival is about more than just staying alive—it’s about clinging to your mind before it slips away, lost in this strange never-never land. In this mythological LitRPG, follow Jace as he battles deadly trials, navigates treacherous alliances, and uncovers shocking secrets. His fight isn’t just for glory—it’s for his soul. If you crave epic tales of battling impossible odds and finding light in the darkness, Terra Mythica will pull you in and never let go.
Shadow Light Press
Terra Mythica: A LitRPG Adventure - Volumes 1 and 2
Mark Garkusha
Dungeon Lord is coming back on August 28, 2024! In this interview we get to talk with the creator, Hugo Huesca, and the narrator, Jeff Hays (of Soundbooth Theater fame). We talk about where Hugo has been the last five years, we learn that both of these creators are also into MMA, and we learn that Soundbooth Theater will be hosting their own conference next summer!
Links:
https://hugohuesca.com
https://soundbooththeater.com
https://litrpgcon.com
John, known by his pen name Fobywoby, author of Terra Mythica, offers a heartwarming take on how storytelling helped him overcome childhood dyslexia. Reflecting on the emotional power of literature, he describes the impact of works by Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett. He shares his vision of a Blade Runner-esque world that merges futuristic and retro aesthetics in Terra Mythica. John’s reflections on escapism, creativity, and the evolving litRPG genre make this episode a must-listen for sci-fi and fantasy fans.
Shadow Light Press
Amazon Links:
Terra Mythica: A LitRPG Adventure - Volumes 1 and 2
Endless Worlds Online: Elsewhere - Name of the Game
https://www.amazon.com/Endless-Worlds-Online-Elsewhere-GameLitRPG-ebook/dp/B0DL3G3LX2/
Royal Road Links:
Fobywoby: Terra Mythica: A LitRPG Adventure
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/89308/terra-mythica-a-litrpg-adventure
Mostly Dead: A Paranormal Urban Fantasy
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/95671/mostly-dead-a-paranormal-urban-fantasy
Declan Darkmor: Endless Worlds Online: Elsewhere - Name of the Game
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/93761/endless-worlds-online-elsewhere-name-of-the-game
Declan Darkmor: Dungeon Ex-Master: A Reverse Isekai Dungeon Apocalypse
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/97407/dungeon-ex-master-a-reverse-isekei-dungeon-apocalypse
Declan Darkmor: DNA: The Awakened - A Slice of Life Academy Apocalypse
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/97340/dna-the-awakened-a-slice-of-life-academy-apocalypse
Declan Darkmor: Declan Dark: Dark Daze - A Game/LitRPG Vampire Detective
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/97340/dna-the-awakened-a-slice-of-life-academy-apocalypse
EmrysAmbrosius: Rise of the Infernal Paladin: A System Apocalypse
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/91573/rise-of-the-infernal-paladin-a-system-apocalypse
Domr: Return of the Wind Mage
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/87802/return-of-the-wind-mage-check-out-my-new-novel
Fiddlesoup: Penance: Prison of the Gods
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/88661/penance-prison-of-the-gods-check-out-my-new-story
PolinkaP: Into the Deep Wood
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/90105/into-the-deep-wood
D.M. Rook: Hounds of Orion
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/95393/hounds-of-orion
Luke J. Anthony: Devil Kissed: Paranormal Romance
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/93915/devil-kissed
Immersive Ink
In a High Fantasy world where Kings and crime lords run rampant due to a miscalculation made by the Adventurer’s Guild long ago, Karsten falls head-first into a fantastically strange forest with only the clothes on his person to his name. He is saved by the Ranger, Medoly, who shows him to the Adventurer’s Guild - unintentionally setting her new friend upon a path of harsh realities, full of fighting, fleeing and navigating his way through the power plays of people far above him. In this world, Karsten meets the cold reality of the inherent chaos of a continent at war, the push-back of the greedy aristocracy and the violent nature of the way-too-organized crime syndicates - all while leveling up in dungeons that seem hell-bent on killing him and his friends with the never-before-seen Abnormals. Even in the midsts of all this chaos, Karsten has one core goal: Getting back to his homeworld. Follow Karsten on his journey to become the most OP Bard this world has ever seen!
EBJ:
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/73069/enigmatic-bards-journey
Julie, writing under the pen name B3AM, joins the podcast to discuss her writing journey, from dabbling in light novels to exploring the vibrant Royal Road community. Author of An Enigmatic Bard's Journey, Julie describes how she transitioned from being a manga fan to a litRPG enthusiast. With her signature humor and down-to-earth approach, she talks about embracing her creative side, building connections within the writing community, and navigating her inspirations, including popular titles like He Who Fights With Monsters and Heretical Fishing.
EBJ:
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/73069/enigmatic-bards-journey
Blaire The Human:
Dark Matter Ascension is a litRPG novel centered around Jace Seren, a character navigating the complexities of a world undergoing a cosmic event known as cosmogenic merging. Jace faces a critical choice: to remain a civilian or take the risk of becoming an aspirant, a path with a low chance of survival but the promise of immense cosmic power. The story blends elements of fantasy and science fiction to create a science-fantasy setting. During Jace’s aspirant trial, he performs an extraordinary feat that catches the attention of an influential figure, resulting in him being granted access to a rare and powerful ability—control over dark matter. The narrative follows his journey across different worlds, tackling unique challenges and confronting powerful factions such as the Star Council, Black Hole Conclave, and Nebula Alliance. The story features evolving skills, classes, and equipment but maintains a focus on character-driven storytelling rather than intricate statistical details.
Linktree
In this episode, we interview Alex Econome, known by his pen name SerasStreams, who is an author and high school English teacher. Alex shares his journey from a childhood filled with reading and fantasy influences to becoming an active member and mentor in the Royal Road writing community. He discusses how influential authors like Raymond E. Feist and Tolkien shaped his storytelling, and explains his involvement in LitRPG and GameLit genres, highlighting his upcoming work "Dark Matter Ascension." Alex also delves into the process of writing for web serials, offering advice for aspiring authors, and explains the importance of platforms like Patreon and Royal Road for new writers seeking growth and recognition.
Linktree
https://linktr.ee/serasstreams
Mentor Program
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s42g0g4QHIWp3O_U6ZJWleivNA3Q8dDHd1YwVnA-QUg/edit?usp=sharing
Echo's Evolution on Royal Road
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/82445/echos-evolution-grimdark-isekai-litrpg-stub
Ruinous Return
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/89228/ruinous-return-fantasy-drama-isekai
Versewalker
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/84435/versewalker-multiverse-litrpg
How to Self Publish (by MelasDelta)
Atlas Zeb has lived his entire life in poverty. It's hard for an orphan to make ends meet, but his one out is the Mantle Trial where he could be bestowed with the power to become an Adventurer and fight the monsters in the dungeon instead of just picking up the crystals left behind for others. But the world of Adventurers is not the easy life that he'd thought it was. Can he navigate this new world or will he be another casualty for history to forget?
Royal Road
https://www.royalroad.com/profile/398754/fictions
Patreon
Camadt, whose real name is Ben, shared his journey into writing, particularly in the LitRPG genre. Although he comes from a background in mathematics, Ben transitioned into writing through a mix of personal inspiration and experiences. His writing career began when he and his brother brainstormed a story concept during a long drive, which later became his first work, Trishon. He delved into LitRPG after his sister challenged him to write a book, leading to Into the Game, which he completed in just a week and published on Amazon. Camadt's entry into reading fantasy began in college with The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher and the Kate Daniels Saga by Ilona Andrews. He became immersed in LitRPG after reading Bruce Centaur’s Dungeon Diving, which inspired him to explore the genre further. His flagship series, Mantle of the Gods, originated as a project to entertain his brother.
Royal Road
https://www.royalroad.com/profile/398754/fictions
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/c/EarthsExiles
Jim Butcher
https://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden
Ilona Andrews
https://ilona-andrews.com/katie-daniels-books/
Bruce Sentar (NSFW)
https://brucesentar.com/pages/dungeon-diving-series
https://www.reddit.com/u/Camadt/s/yReH1ojgee
https://www.facebook.com/camadts.corner/
Triftion
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/77957/triftion-saga
Mantle or the Gods
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/76987/mantle-of-the-gods
Into the Game
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/89382/into-the-game
Sineater
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/85405/sineater
Ascended
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/77025/ascended
42 Looper
Join us in this episode as we get a chance to talk to RavensDagger, the prolific writer known for: Cinnamon Bun, Stray Cat Strut, Fluff, Dead Tired, Lever Action, Heart of Dorkness, and Love Crafted. He talks to us about his 2024 Stray Cat Strut Fanfiction Contest!
Links: