Author Archives: B.C. Johnson

About B.C. Johnson

Author, scoundrel, procrastinator. Hates doing dishes, loves drumming, and doesn't believe in weathermen. Lives in Southern California with his wife Gina, his boys Dash and Wyatt, and his dog Luna-Tuna. All think he spends too much time in his office. Novels: Deadgirl, Ghostlight, Goneward, and Riven.

Listen to Award-Winning Short Story DOLLHOUSED

Posted on December 16, 2025 by B.C. Johnson

That’s right, it’s here! You can now read and/or listen to my short story, DOLLHOUSED, which landed in the winners’ circle in the StarPath Creatives Writing contest.

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Categories: Books, News, short fiction, writing | Tags: audio, author, award winning, b.c. johnson, books, dollhoused, glen weatherhead, short fiction, short story, starpath creatives writing contest | 4 Comments

“Dollhoused” Short Story Wins Bronze in the StarPath Creatives Writing Contest

Posted on November 4, 2025 by B.C. Johnson

Proud to announce that my fantasy short story “Dollhoused” won third place in the StarPath Creatives “A Light in the Darkness” Writing Contest for 2025.

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Categories: Diary, News, short fiction | Tags: award, bc johnson, contest, starpath creatives, starpath creatives writing contest, writing contest, writing contest 2025 | 4 Comments

ALIEN: EARTH and Cliffhangers, Revisited

Posted on October 3, 2025 by B.C. Johnson

Season 1 of ALIEN: EARTH, which I was loving (and still mostly do) ended on what I would call a terrible decision. That terrible decision was the terrible decision that showrunners keep making because they saw STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION one time.

I was going to go on another rant about cliffhangers, but I realized I had a perfectly good one raring to go from a blog I posted like ten years ago when I got mad about the infamous Walking Dead cliffhanger.

The nice thing is, all the lessons are still evergreen, so I’ve done a fresh draft on those ideas. I’ve also added a new section about forgiving cliffhangers based on time and production schedules, which is more relevant in the “8 episodes every three years” streaming era.

Alright, let’s dive into it. But first we start with a simple question, before we can get going:

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Categories: Review, TV, writing | Tags: alien, alien earth, cliffhanger, cliffhangers are bad and dumb, finale | 3 Comments

STAR TREK: GENERATIONS is Great (Even if You Don’t Like the Message)

Posted on September 10, 2025 by B.C. Johnson

This week I take on the haters of STAR TREK: GENERATIONS, the very first cinematic adventure of the Enterprise-D and the “Next Generation” crew.

I’m not actually attacking any haters, I don’t mind if you don’t like it. BUT, I do think the movie has been judged unfairly, and it’s actually a masterpiece of messaging. The problem? The message flies in the face of popular franchise (and fan) conventions. Not fan conventions like San Diego Comic Con, I mean, what people expect.

However, the message is an important one. And as I find myself pondering–like Picard–that perhaps I have more days behind me than in front of me, it’s a message I find comforting.

Maybe you will, too. But if you don’t, no refunds.

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Categories: Movies, Review, star trek, TV | Tags: generations, jean luc picard, movies, old school review, Review, sci fi, science-fiction, star trek, star trek generations, television, thematic statement, themes | Leave a comment

Check Ins and Updates: August 2025

Posted on August 13, 2025 by B.C. Johnson

Hey y’all! This week I’m sharing what’s going on with me, the books/shows/movies I’m enjoying, and a general writer update for what I’m working on and plans for the future.

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Categories: Diary, giveaway, News, writing | Tags: alien, b.c. johnson, books, djinn & tonic, fantasy, games, horror, marketing, TV, writing | Leave a comment

Grab a Review Copy of DJINN & TONIC for Free at Booksprout

Posted on August 8, 2025 by B.C. Johnson

Quick announcement! If you’re interested in getting a free copy of DJINN & TONIC for review, I have a Booksprout campaign starting today.

Get a Review Copy at Booksprout

Categories: Djinn and Tonic, giveaway, publishing, Review | Tags: bc johnson, booksprout, djinn & tonic, Djinn and Tonic, free book, free ebook, review a book, review copy, reviewers | Leave a comment

The Games That Inspire My Writing (Part 3)

Posted on August 6, 2025 by B.C. Johnson

Last time we talked about my abiding love for the Legacy of Kain/Soul Reaver series, and how it taught me the courage to go nuts with stories (and how it partially inspired my Deadgirl Saga).

This week I’m casting the net a bit wider, with a trio of unconnected but stylistically related games that made me want to write my own epic fantasy series. Alongside a heaping helping of D&D and fantasy novels in my youth, of course.

Let’s get into the business with three beloved 90’s classics: THE SECRET OF MANA, ILLUSION OF GAIA, and the FINAL FANTASY series.

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Categories: Books, Deadgirl, Inspiration, Video Games, writing | Tags: arpgs, b.c. johnson, book-review, books, fantasy, fantasy novel, fiction, final fantasy, gamers, games, gaming, illusion of gaia, Inspiration, mana, secret of mana, writer, writing, writing inspiration | 2 Comments

The Games That Inspire My Writing (Part 2)

Posted on July 16, 2025 by B.C. Johnson

As an author myself, books will always be my first and truest love. However, video games have been a constant companion, a wonderful form of social interaction, and a port of harbor in this our blighted world. Games have provided a place to rest, certainly, but it ain’t all escapism. Games have always been a key part of my curriculum for story, character, and narrative, and deserve every bit of thanks I can spare.

Last week, I poured a couple pints of e-ink out for my boys, the DARK SOULS games, sharing how they taught me the value of perseverance and the joys of sad dignity. They also directly inspired the newest manuscript I’m working on, gently titled “The Stone Marches.”

This week, we’re dropping DARK SOULS and going a bit lighter: the soul-crushing gothic vampire existentialist masterpiece that is the LEGACY OF KAIN series.

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Categories: Deadgirl, Inspiration, Riven, Video Games, writing | Tags: b.c. johnson, books, fantasy, fiction, gamers, games, gaming, Inspiration, kain, legacy of kain, raziel, soul reaver, writer, writing, writing inspiration | 2 Comments

The Games That Inspire My Writing (Part 1)

Posted on July 9, 2025 by B.C. Johnson

Good writers read, the same way good directors watch movies and good chefs eat. Also chefs would kick it if they don’t eat, so it’s doubly important for them. Obscure indie author Stephen King said: “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” He called it “the great commandment.” And he was right.

But storytellers of all mediums can be inspired by any story. I’ve always been a voracious reader, true. But I’m as much a gamer of games, and there’s no shortage of wonderful stories that come out of a cartridge, a spinning disc, or through the cosmic strings of the interwebular infonet.

I suspect a lot of writers my age have found inspiration on the other end of a DualShock, a mouse, or a Duke.

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Categories: Inspiration, Video Games, writing | Tags: b.c. johnson, bloodborne, books, dark souls, fiction, from software, gamers, games, gaming, Inspiration, writer, writing, writing inspiration | Leave a comment

Get DJINN & TONIC in Paperback Now

Posted on July 3, 2025 by B.C. Johnson

In this uncertain world of digimalization and online perfidy, grab a real book! It needs no charger, it can’t be deleted from your library, and it smells like knowledge. In other words, DJINN & TONIC is now available for your physical perusement!

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