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.
Continue readingPosts Tagged With: books
Listen to Award-Winning Short Story DOLLHOUSED
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
Check Ins and Updates: August 2025
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.
Continue reading
Categories: Diary, giveaway, News, writing
Tags: alien, b.c. johnson, books, djinn & tonic, fantasy, games, horror, marketing, TV, writing
Leave a comment
The Games That Inspire My Writing (Part 3)
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.
Continue reading
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)
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.
Continue reading
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)
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.
Continue reading
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
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!
Continue reading
Categories: Books, Djinn and Tonic, News, publishing
Tags: b.c. johnson, book launch, books, djinn & tonic, Djinn and Tonic, indie author, indie book, lgbtq+, noir, paperback, remmy, spicy, urban fantasy, wlw, writing
Leave a comment
2025 in Books (Part 1): Recommendations and Reviews
It’s July, so time to show off some of the novels I’ve read this year, like a cat stacking up dead lizards on your porch.
My plan this year was simple: read 24 books (double what I read last year), and only pull books I already own but haven’t read yet. One, to actually get to some of the books I’ve been gifted over the past couple decades, and two, because money.
Overall, it’s been a solid six months. Almost all bangers.
Alright, here we go:
Continue reading
Categories: Books, Review
Tags: andrzej sapkowski, blood of elves, book recommendations, book reviews, book-review, books, brandon sanderson, dungeons and dragons, dungeons and dragons movie, fantasy, honor among thieves, jaleigh johnson, lev grossman, nnedi okorafor, once and future king, reading, remote control, road to neverwinter, stephen king, th white, the bright sword, the hobbit, the sun dog, tolkien, way of kings, witcher
Leave a comment
DJINN & TONIC Release Day! (Ebook)
If you’ve been waiting with bated breath (how come only breath is “bated,” worth a Google I suppose), now’s the time to un…bate. Sorry. DJINN & TONIC is officially a bouncing baby girl today, available for purchasing and/or reading on Kindle or KOBO if you don’t support Amazon. Which, I get it.
Stay tuned for a sample of the entire first chapter below!
Continue reading
Categories: Books, Djinn and Tonic, News, publishing
Tags: b.c. johnson, book launch, books, djinn & tonic, Djinn and Tonic, indie author, indie book, lgbtq+, noir, remmy, spicy, urban fantasy, wlw, writing
Leave a comment
Announcement: Pre-Order DJINN & TONIC Now
Pre-order what?! DJINN & TONIC is my newest novel, an urban fantasy thriller for lovers of noir and djinn with a punk vibe. It’s a love letter to both genie stories and being an exhausted 20-something with a shit job, ride-or-die friends, and a demanding boss.
Continue reading
Categories: Books, Djinn and Tonic, News, publishing
Tags: bc johnson, books, djinn & tonic, Djinn and Tonic
Leave a comment
“How Can I Help” Added, Take a Look If You’re Cool
Think me or my books are neat? I’ve created a page to finally answer the question: “How Can I Help?”
Check it out for links to review any of the books, do a testimonial, or spread the word. I basically can’t do this without you, the readers. Please consider taking a moment, even just to leave a star rating somewhere.
Your voice can change my life and help me write more books, and it’s never been more appreciated.
Thank you!! Click on the button below to check it out:
Categories: Books, Deadgirl, News, publishing, Review
Tags: author interview, b.c. johnson, bc johnson, books, deadgirl, Review, writing
Leave a comment
Deadgirl
Meet the girl who just won't die . . .
Deadgirl: Ghostlight
All the world's a stage
Deadgirl: Goneward
On the road again...
Deadgirl: Daybreak
We all go a little mad sometimes
Deadgirl: Gravedust
This is the end, my friend
B.C. Johnson 