Camp NaNoWriMo 2023 – Here we go again…


Yup, you heard right! I’m tackling Camp NaNoWriMo again this year, but with a simpler goal – write a young adult fantasy novel. I’m excited to use what I’ve learned from writing D&D campaigns and adventures in this world I’ve named Teraneath. It’s also the world that includes various D&D adventures I’ve already written such as Tales from Temerrit. I’ve got so much more to reveal to you in this series, but suffice to say you’ll have to wait until the ending for the big reveal, rather than getting tons of hints and tricks!

Continue reading “Camp NaNoWriMo 2023 – Here we go again…”

Making a Top 15 List of Alternate History Blogs!


Hi everyone,

It’s been a while, but I wanted to share with you that I’ve made a list of top 15 alternate history blogs. I’ve had the fortune to talk with and blog with several other people on this list, but I encourage you to go check them out! See the list here. I’ve got another exciting thing in the pipeline, but I’ll wait to share about it until it is ready to go.

In other news…. after a rough few months I hope to be returning to blogging and writing more frequently. Watch this space!

  • Daniel

Modern Papyrus 2021 – A Year In Review for Author Daniel Ottalini


Goodbye 2021, may ye stay in the past where you belong. Welcome 2022! Today I want to briefly review some of the awesome successes I’ve had this year, and share some plans for the year ahead. I have a Writing New Years Resolution to accomplish this year!

This year saw me transition somewhat from writing full length novels and novellas to adventure modules for role playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons. Part of this was to allow me to complete more writing projects faster, and part of it reflected a shift in my interests and a connection between work I was already doing, and an effort to capitalize off it. It also lets me expand my writing styles, explore new characters and concepts, and improve my story design skills.

But let’s get down to business. What exactly did I write this year?

Reflections of Brass, my paperback anthology of my three ebook novellas, was released in November through Amazon Print On Demand Services. I’m excited as every part of the Steam Empire Chronicles now has a paperback version available for people to read!

I also published seven (!) different Dungeons and Dragons / Role Playing Adventures through DMs Guild. I had been working on several of these projects in 2020, and finally took the plunge to publish them, and I’m really glad I did! Here’s a summary of the work! (Over 100,000 words worth of work, and 250+ pages of awesome things!)

  1. Lost Temple of the Thunder Bringers (See the Announcement Post Here) – A Jungle Campaign module featuring a 12 room jungle temple with treasure, enemies, traps, and much more! Plus a hidden village with four custom NPCs, four awesome magical items, and four bonus battle maps and encounters!
  2. Along the Triboar – Additional Adventures in Phandalin (See the Announcement Post Here) – An expanded module to support Level 5 Characters in the Phandelver Valley with two of my old settings updated and combined! This PDF includes a module and setting for Clearing Lomewood Castle, as well as an additional campaign setting for Fort Lomewood. Inside are detailed maps of the interior and exterior of both Lomewood Castle and Fort Lomewood, as well as detailed descriptions of unique and individual NPCs, as well as links to existing NPCs from the Lost Mines of Phandelver.
  3. Siege Rules & the Invasion of the Phandelver Valley (See the Announcement Post Here) – substantial upgrades are finished on my IotPV module, including custom battle maps, stats for different siege engines, defensive buildings, a sample play through and a campaign linked to the Lost Mines of Phandelver beginning missions!
  4. Wyvern Tor Revisited (See Announcement Post Here) – This is an upgraded and reorganized version of my old free version of Wyvern Tor & the Temple of Zumash dungeon exploration. Featuring new maps, player props, and even magical item stats, this 18 page module is great for the beginner Lost Mines of Phandelver Pact setting, or any setting where you need a subterranean temple.
  5. Kohtumine: The Great Gathering of the Ships (See Announcement Post Here) – The folk of the sea – pirates, traders, priests, merchants and warriors – all gather to elect the next Lord or Lady of the Oceans. Join the politicking free-for-all with three all new factions, seven encounter maps, ship stats lines, unique ship upgrades, and mission hooks for parties of all levels. This nearly 50 page adventure setting module is setting neutral. Have ocean, will travel (to the Kohtumine!)
  6. A Field Guide to Temerrit – (See Announcement Post Here) In this guidebook you will find a map for each town, featuring points of interest, as well as a handful of NPC contacts for PCs to visit. Additionally, plot hooks and storylines are provided for each town, as well as an overarching storyline for DMs wishing to utilize the entire province, or just a single settlement!
  7. Tales from Temerrit: The Fall of Palrom the Usurper – (See Announcement Post Here) Prepare yourselves and your characters to take on the infamous Usurper, Vincent Palrom. The Oathbreaker Paladin has torn Temerrit apart, and the province stands on a precipice. Will you join the resistance and fight back against the man seeking apotheosis, or does the call to power beckon you forward, crushing the scattered forces of good. Plot hooks, new maps, unique character backgrounds, an in-depth story and an all new introductory campaign make The Fall of Palrom the best adventure setting available yet!

I’ve had a lot of fun making these, and I’m excited to share more with you in the future! Which brings us to my writing goals for 2022.

  • Write and publish something for at least six months this year (so publish six (6) new things this year!)

That’s it! That’s my goal. I’d love to try and push myself to do a full dozen, but I also want to be able to focus on completing commissions for my terrain side hustle, as well as eventually work on a new installment for the Steam Empire Chronicles. I’m also planning to eventually combine all the Temerrit Tales into one massive print creation that I can bring together and get bound and printed.

Thoughts? Ideas? Recommendations? Let me know!

Reflections of Brass Publishing Day!


Now Available!

My anthology, Reflections of Brass, is now available for purchase on Amazon (and hopefully, other places soon!).

The first print version of my novellas, this book features all three of my short stories – Roma Aeronautica, Antioch Burns, and my most recently published novella, the Last Gladiator. Now all in one convient purchase! A perfect gift for the holidays for the science-fiction or fantasy reader.

You won’t be able to get this anthology in ebook form (mainly because you can already get all three novellas in ebook form separately), so get yours today!

If you want to really support me as an author, consider purchasing a signed copy directly through me. This helps me not only by reducing the amount of middlemen, but also lets me keep more of the sale! Shipping to anywhere within the Continental United States is included in the price. For shipping outside the US, contact me and I’ll give you a personal paypal invoice.

reflections-of-brass-cover

Signed Copy of Reflections of Brass

Get a signed copy of Reflections of Brass, my print anthology featuring all three of my ebook novellas, shipped to your door! This includes shipping costs within the continental US. For other shipping zones, send me an email and I’ll give you a personal paypal invoice.

$25.00

Running Behind: A Brief Account of this Year’s Renaissance Festival Celebrations & Book Signing


“Twas a year like no other…”

Continue reading “Running Behind: A Brief Account of this Year’s Renaissance Festival Celebrations & Book Signing”

Summer Smashwords Sale!


You know it! All my novels and novellas are on sale this Summer for 25% off! (besides Brass Legionnaire and Roma Aeronautica, which are already a steal at the low low price of just 99 cents!) Use the code SSW25 at checkout to get 25% off all my ebooks from July 1st through 31st! Check out my novels and novellas here now!

New Anthology Coming & A Summer Event Announcement!

A new print anthology of my virtual ebook novellas is coming soon!


You heard that right! In response to all your demands, I’ve decided to take all three of my amazing ebook novellas – Roma Aeronautica, Antioch Burns, and the Last Gladiator – and turn them into a printed anthology. While I don’t have any new material to include yet, I’ll sneak a few other tidbits into this anthology, such as a preview of the History of Rome and the New Caesarian Colonies. This anthology should be available this summer.

Speaking of Summer – Mark your calendars! I’ll be at the Maryland Renaissance Festival again this year (Tentatively, based on Maryland CoVID rules!). I’ll be at the Renaissance Festival to sign this newest anthology, plus all my other books, on Saturday, September 4th, 2021. I’ll be back with more information in the future!

Until then, remember to hit that subscribe button and follow this blog for more updates on this, my Dungeons and Dragons adventures & modules, and more!

Story Map of the Steam Empire Chronicles

Here’s a simple story map of the Entire Steam Empire Chronicles!


Hi all,

I realized that I’ve been missing a useful tool for all the newcomers to the Steam Empire Chronicles! It’s a story map!

Reading Order - Steam Empire Chronicles

Obviously, when I update it with the still in progress novella, it will fit beautifully into this. Where does the Last Gladiator fit? It’s a prequel that I think is best read AFTER you read all the other novels and novellas!

The Steam Empire Chronicles Now Part of Smashwords Authors Give Back Sale!


Yes, you heard it right. Almost every single one of my books are now on sale through Smashword‘s Authors Give Back Sale. With all the craziness going on around the world, take the opportunity to get my first book – Brass Legionnaire – for FREE for a limited time.

Yes. Free. Get the ticket to the entire Steam Empire Chronicles for free! No risk! (Lots of reward though) Every other novel in the series is also discounted between 30-60%!

I’m excited to offer these deals and hope you take advantage of them to keep yourself busy! Love you guys! Remember to leave positive reviews and star up those books!

 

The Last Gladiator Progress


Hi all,

As promised, here’s a snippet of action from The Last Gladiator. I’ve managed to increase the writing count to 17,000 tonight!

Continue reading “The Last Gladiator Progress”