Tarot for Storytellers: a how-to book for authors and gamemasters is a full-color eBook offered in ePub and as a fully-interactive PDF. Written by author and narrative designer Monica Valentinelli (World of Darkness, Cyberpunk RED, Shadowrun, Firefly, Mistborn), this eBook is jam-packed with prompts, guidance, and examples to teach you how to develop new characters, plots, and setting using a deck of tarot cards.

Tarot for Storytellers: a how-to book includes:

* 10 writing exercises
* Lots of examples
* Brief history of tarot
* Tarot card meanings
* Shapes of narratives
* Additional uses for games
* Recommended resources
* ePub and PDF formats
* …and more!

Inspired by Monica Valentinelli’s popular writing workshop presented at the Gen Con Writer’s Symposium, the Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers, and Clarion West, this how-to book is beginner-friendly and can be used by authors or game masters for both TTRPGs and LARP.

This title has recently been revised to address a few typos as well as add the ePub format. When you purchase Tarot for Storytellers: a how-to book on DriveThruFiction.com, you’ll receive both the PDF and ePub formats.

Please note: A deck of tarot cards is not required to use this book. In the Resources section, links to free online tarot card decks are provided.

Now available in the Amazon Kindle store and on DriveThruFiction.com in PDF and ePub formats compatible with most eReaders.




This post contains affiliate links for the Amazon Kindle edition of Tarot for Storytellers: a how-to book and the Roll 20 bundle.

I am attending Game Hole Con XIII as a special guest this year! I wanted to share my schedule with you. If an event I’m attending is sold out, please don’t be afraid to purchase generic tickets and come anyway. I will also have an author table, so be sure to drop by!

Here is the text-based version of the schedule posted on the infographic. Hope to see you there!

Thursday, October 15th
Noon CST: Worldbuilding in Faerie Realms Seminar

5:00 pm: Setting design in RPGs

Friday, October 16th
11:00-2:00 pm: Teatime with the Hatter

2:30-5:30 pm: Teatime with the Hatter

8:00-11:00 pm: Drinks with Authors VI: The Reckoning

Saturday, October 17th
10:00 am: Magic and Consequences

2:00-5:00 pm: Teatime with the Hatter

Events for this year’s Gen Con opened for registration and tickets for my events are almost sold out. You can click on Valentinelli at Gen Con Indy to find my workshops. I am running a two-hour workshop titled “Tarot for Storytellers,” and a four-hour workshop with Scott Lynch and Brandon O’Brien titled “Pitch Us Your Game Take Two.” I am also hosting a koffeeklatch, too!

If any event is sold out, please don’t be afraid to come anyway. Sometimes, people drop out our schedules shift and I’d like to make time for you. For my sold out koffeeklatch, feel free to come anyway and I will schedule extra time for you.

Don’t know what to chat about? If you’ve taken one of my workshops, I’m interested to hear how your writing is coming along. This year, I will also be bringing some enamel pins for trade. Huzzah! I am also taking recommendations for fude (also referred to as bent nib) fountain pens, witchy hats, fun vinyl stickers, and solo journaling games.

Thank you to everyone who already booked tickets for my events. I appreciate it!

To keep in touch, don’t forget to sign up for Monica’s Marvelous Musings.

Huzzah!

Today, I’m pleased to announce a new months-long project unfolding on Patreon. Titled “Shards of Remorsica,” I’m designing a high-fantasy solo journaling game powered by tarot for artists and writers.

In Shards of Remorsica, you play a solo journaling game answering prompts and shuffling cards. Your character is a mythical creature who once thrived aeons ago–but you don’t know which type you are or what magical powers you hold. Reduced to consciousness, you rebuild yourself one day at a time.

As a narrative designer, I’m really excited about this project and its potential for new and existing creators. I hope that you’ll join my Patreon to walk with me on this journey. My first rewards for Patrons were released in May: I’ve offered a draft of the cover and my initial brainstorming notes. There’s a lot more to come!

Patrons will receive a complimentary copy of the game when it’s released. There may be additional rewards as this project progresses. Unlike into shadow: a poetic exploration of personal fears, which was a month-long Patreon project, or Pinching Tarts, a Wonderland-themed game I designed for PocketQuest, Shards of Remorsica’s development will unfold month-by-month until the game has been playtested and polished for publication.

I hope you’ll join me and my existing patrons at patreon.com/booksofm on a journey of mythical discovery.

Until next time,

Monica Valentinelli




This post contains DriveThruRPG.com affiliate links.

Last year was intentionally quiet publishing-wise so I could shore up my part-time gig with Writing the Other, investigate opportunities for my prose, and identify what I need to continue making art in the volatile world of publishing. Luck, as it happens, is not the only thing needed for any storyteller right now. I’ve been quietly applying and looking at fresh creative (or creative-adjacent) opportunities to create more stability for my practice. Stability allows me to weather uncertainties occurring in publishing so I can spend my time on bigger projects. What I’ve heard from multiple sources is that publishers are erring on the side of caution right now for a number of reasons, and that’s extended the overall publishing cycle. Secondarily, both freelance writing and editorial gigs are being impacted and, in some cases, eliminated by generative AI programs.

Oh, I did write last year, but the words flowed more slowly than they typically do. For example, I wrote a dystopian science fiction novella about the intersection between AI, water abuse, and activism that’s currently on submission and pecked at a couple of short stories with my crit partner. I also worked with the fine folks at R Talsorian Games on UNTOLD TALES for The Witcher RPG announced at Gen Con. And, starting laying the groundwork for more of my own workshops, games, and supplements.

Overall, however, I’m okay. I needed last year’s trips and visits, but that kind of schedule isn’t sustainable. While I’m not pleased there are some pieces that are taking longer than others, I’ve got my whiteboard and a To Do list to that keeps me busy. If you do hear of opportunities that’d be a good fit for me, feel free to reach out!

Published Books in 2025

Following the success of my Tarot for Storytellers workshop at Gen Con, I released an expanded edition of Tarot for Storytellers: A How To Guide. Now available through DriveThruFiction!.

What’s next for me? I’ll be returning to the Gen Con Writer’s Symposium and Game Hole Con this year as a guest and presenter. For the rest, stay tuned and find out! For life in my world, you can subscribe to my newsletter. Cheers!

Tarot for Storytellers is a full-color eBook written by author, narrative designer, and FlamesRising.com contributor Monica Valentinelli (World of Darkness, Cyberpunk RED, Shadowrun: Court of Shadows, etc.). The eBook is jam-packed with prompts, guidance, and examples to teach you how to develop new characters, plots, and setting using a deck of tarot cards.

Tarot for Storytellers includes:

* 10 writing exercises
* Lots of examples
* Brief history of tarot
* Tarot card meanings
* Shapes of narratives
* Additional uses for games
* Recommended resources
* …and more!

Inspired by my popular writing workshop presented at the Gen Con Writer’s Symposium, the Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers, and Clarion West, this how-to book is beginner-friendly and can be used by authors or game masters.

Download Tarot for Storytellers on DriveThruFiction.com, DriveThruCards, or DriveThruRPG!

Please note: A deck of tarot cards is not required to use this book. In the Resources section, links to free online tarot card decks are provided.

In just a few days, at the Gen Con: Writer’s Symposium, I’ll be running my popular Tarot for Storytellers writing workshop. I’ve ran this workshop at Gen Con and online through Clarion West and the Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers.

I’ve had a great response and wonderful feedback! So, I wrote an eBook inspired by this workshop! The draft of Tarot for Storytellers will be available to my patrons through patreon.com/booksofm in August. I’ve also shared the draft with my fabulous crit partner, too.

If you’d like to join my Patreon, you’re more than welcome! If not, I’ll be sure to make an announcement when the eBook is edited, laid out, and available for purchase.

Cheers!

I have confirmed I will be presenting at World Con: Seattle this year. I’m pleased to share a draft schedule with you. I may have additional panels or other events, but so far these are confirmed.

Wednesday, August 13

Researching the Occult and the Paranormal
4:30-5:30 p.m. How can we research practices such as Witchcraft, Santeria and paranormal phenomena to incorporate into our stories? Reading books is one thing, but respect is paramount and caution is necessary.

Thursday, August 14

Table Talks 22
Come and chat with me and a bevy of wonderful creators from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Writing for Games Workshop

Writing for games sounds appealing – but how do you get started doing so? What do you need to know about how game systems work? What if you want to adapt your own work into a game? I’ve planned this session, which lasts from from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., to accommodate attendee’s needs so they feel confident entering the world of game writing. Does include a break!

Friday, August 15th

Gamifying your IP

10:30 to 11:30 a.m. You’ve published a book, a series, a saga… and now you’d like other people to be able to play in your world. What does it take to translate a book or video game to a Table Top RPG? I’ll be moderating this one!

If you’d like to schedule a meet-up, please reach out before the show. Thank you!

Edited by Nate Pedersen, The Dagon Collection has been nominated for a 2025 World Fantasy Award in the anthology category. In 1928, Federal agents raided the lodge of the Esoteric Order of Dagon, a notorious cult that had taken over the town of Innsmouth, Massachusetts. What they discovered there shocked and dismayed them in equal measure. Strange, curious, and devilish items from all over the world had been gathered by cult members on voyages across all the known ― and unknown ― seas. Priceless art, books, weaponry, jewelry, nautical instruments, and coins were all found, along with objects both prosaic and uncanny, with uses that could only be guessed at.

If you’re keen on picking up a copy, PS Publishing is sold out at the moment. You can find the hardcover tome at bookstores and libraries though! Congrats to Nate and my fellow contributors!

Want to read other works by all the nominees? Reactor Mag has the full list of 2025 World Fantasy Award finalists.

I am pleased to announce that I’m returning to the Gen Con Writer’s Symposium, and will be presenting two workshops, a koffee klatsch, and multiple panels.

Events are selling out fast, so be sure to sign up here: GCWS Events with Monica Valentinelli

Thursday, July 31st

How to Develop Your Writing Process – 11:00 am EDT

Have you ever wondered what your writing process is or why it’s important? Join us as we discuss, from idea to finished product, the different processes used and what to pay attention to in your own.

Tarot for Storytellers* – 1:00 pm EDT

In this workshop, Monica Valentinelli will show you how to use a deck of tarot cards as a storytelling tool for your stories. Includes writing exercises.

* This is a paid workshop.

Outlining 101 – 5:00 pm EDT

In this introduction to outlining, we’ll talk about all the pros and cons to the ones your know and love, why they’re important to have and the myths about pantsers and plotters.

Meet the Pros – 6:00 pm EDT

Join the creatives, editors, publishers, and agents of Gen Con’s Writers Symposium for a night of socializing, networking, and merch signing.

Friday, August 1st

Media Tie In – 11:00 am EDT

How do you get involved with tie in work and what does the process look like? Join our panelists as they discuss their media tie in work.

Writing Without Othering – 5:00 pm EDT

Want to write inclusive fiction with diverse characters but worry you’ll get it wrong? Join panelists as they discuss how they write outside their own identities and life experiences.

Saturday, August 2nd

Coffee Klatch with Monica Valentinelli and J. B. Garner – 2:00 pm EDT

Bring your own beverage and converse with a small group of like minded fans, peers, and guests of the Writers Symposium!

Pitch Us Your Game! – 4:00 pm EDT

You are a game designer who’s working on a new game. We are a panel of gaming experts who are here to help shape your draft. Come pitch us your game and get ground floor feedback!