Plot Points #3: December Issue

The Media That’s Shaped Me This Month

Dec 30, 2023

Introduction

Welcome to Plot Points, where I share fantasy-related media, books, non-fiction pieces, and various forms of entertainment that have caught my attention for one reason or another. If I share them here, know that I think they’re worthy of note.

I’m always open to recommendations, so if there’s something fantasy-related (this includes books, podcasts, videos, artwork, games, music, video channels, newsletters, and magazines) that you think I should know about, drop me a line. I’ll make sure to give you a shoutout in the next issue of Plot Points, too!

Let’s get into it…

Non-Fiction (Articles, Newsletters, Books, etc)

I’m sure all of us at one time or another (or more!) have fallen down an internet rabbit hole. It happens to me far more often than I should admit to, and usually starts with research.

One of my goals for 2024 is to take a closer look at the scholarly side of Professor Tolkien’s legendarium. It started a bit earlier than I expected with an email from a site called “BookRiot”

“A Beginner’s Guide to Tolkien Studies and Commentary” This then led to a Substack newsletter about scholarship in all things Tolkien, which led to recommendations of other newsletters with a similar approach, which led to the Silmarillion Writer’s Guild and an essay that broke down and analyzed responses to a Tolkien-verse fanfiction writer’s poll. “Tolkien, His Gnarly Canon, and His Authority” What’s most interesting to me about this piece is the variety and scope of the fanfic writers' responses to a number of questions that deal with Tolkien’s authority.

Another interesting article, not Tolkien-related, was the news that Bloomsbury Publishing has announced they’ll be releasing seven (!) new Sarah J. Mass titles, starting early next year. First up is House of Flame and Shadow to be released on January 30th. You might remember that Bloomsbury was the publisher that took a chance in 1997 with a children’s book about a magical boarding school and a boy who survived a horrific attack. Yes, Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone. Interestingly, they only offered J.K Rowling a paltry $1,282 advance. I’m guessing they waved a more generous offer at Sarah.

Bloomsbury also publishes Samantha Shannon, author of the Roots of Chaos series, which includes A Day of Fallen Night and The Priory of the Orange Tree. She’s also written The Bone Season series, as well as other related work and various short stories.

Another Bloomsbury author of note (among many other talented Fantasy authors!) is Susanna Clarke, who is best known for her book, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.

A book that I’ve had for a number of years, but still find useful is “The Writer’s Complete Fantasy Reference”. It’s a Writer’s Digest book with an intro by Terry Brooks. (Yes, THAT Terry Brooks!) A collection of essays on a wide assortment of topics such as how to storm castles, mythical creatures, the most popular fantasy cultures and social constructs, trade law, clothing, armor, castle life, and so much more! It’s from 1998, but the info inside the covers is still useful, and interesting! If you write fantasy, get a copy and hang on tight to it!

“Being Dragonborn: Critical Essays on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim”

I’ve only just got this one, so I have no idea what it’s like yet.

Just about anything to do with Skyrim gets my attention, so I have high hopes for this essay collection. Needless to say, I adore Skyrim! I haven’t gotten very far in the game, but I can happily lose myself in it for hours. Which, as you might imagine, seriously cuts into my writing time. Oh well!

Digital Media (YouTube, Podcasts, Movies, etc)

Wyngraf: A magazine featuring “cozy fantasy”. What is it? According to their website, “Wyngraf was founded to promote and encourage fantasy stories that focus on the little things: friends, family, home, travel. Our authors create worlds that readers get lost in…and dream of someday visiting.”

It was through Wyngraf that I learned what “backpack fantasy” is. Again, from their website,

“Backpack fantasy focuses on travels and adventures in the wild (hence the backpack!), as opposed to cozy fantasy’s traditional focus on the home community. The stories often involve some danger, but as much or more time is spent discovering wondrous landscapes, communing with nature, and getting to know one’s traveling companions. There’s danger out there on the road, but in backpack fantasy, the forest path leads to discovery, wonder, bonding, and personal growth. We consider it a subgenre of cozy fantasy, like cozy’s cool older cousin who goes out on the road, fights some slimes, finds a magic fountain, and comes home road-weary, bruised, and a little wiser.”

YouTube: I’ve spent a lot of time on YT lately, and I’ll share why in a minute. Suffice it to say that I’ve been elbow-deep in fantasy channels, and one of the most intriguing I’ve found is “Curious Archive”. My favorite video on their channel is The Dragon Journals: Speculative Biology.

What if dragons were not only real but small? This concept was new to me, and so I watched this video with a sense of wonder. If you tend to watch the same old thing over and over again, you want to watch this! It’ll stick in your mind long after the video is over, if only for its originality.

So why have I been on YouTube so much this month?

I’m building up my channel to be a sister site to this newsletter! While both places will focus on the Fantasy genre, the YouTube channel will focus a little more on worldbuilding than the newsletter does. My end goal is to provide videos about the techniques of worldbuilding, deep dives into mythology and mythological creatures, and the psychological aspect of myths as well. As I can, I’ll also be providing sneak peeks into my world of Uclandia.

There are a couple of videos there now, but I’ve got lots more coming in the months ahead!

Here’s the link so you can check it out! If my plans sound interesting, subscribe so you’ll be notified when the new videos get posted!

Fantasy Artists of Note:

Ma-Ko creates fantastical artwork that would look just as charming on a book cover as it would hanging on a wall. Find their Instagram account here.

Fiction (This doesn’t need explaining, does it?)

Speaking of Samantha Shannon, I finished The Priory of The Orange Tree this month, and I’m glad I hung on through a slow beginning. What’s next? The audio version of the prequel, A Day of Fallen Night.

Well, that’s this issue of Plot Points wrapped up.

I’d love to know what you’re playing, or listening to, or reading. If you have any suggestions for things you think I should be reading, playing, or listening to, drop your recommendations in the comments section.