#107: Looking Back & Looking Ahead
Hello dear readers!
I hope the festive season is treating you well, whether you celebrate or not.
This is another short and sweet issue, mostly to share some news, a little bit of art, and some plans for next year.
Looking back on 2025
An Expression of Gratitude (and Vindication)!
First off, I wanted to say very big thank you to everyone who reads this newsletter/blog. Aside from sporadically posting/lurking on bluesky, I no longer share my work on any of the main social media platforms. I made this decision over a year ago and still do not regret it.
My mental health has been so much better, and I feel less compelled to be constantly “producing content”.
When I first made the decision, I had sincere doubts that I would still be able to get my art and games in front of new people without those platforms. I am happy to report those doubts have been dispelled.
It means the world to know that I don’t have to feed my work to the platforms of unscrupulous and greedy tech companies in order for it to still reach people.
Big Life Changes!
Aside from this vindication, 2025 has also brought me a lot outside of my work life.
In the face of global fascistic trends and ongoing genocidal colonialist violence, I have kept trying to stay informed without succumbing to doom-scrolling. I have participated in protest marches and encouraged others to do the same. I have tried my best to be there for friends whose very existence is constantly attacked and demonised. I have celebrated and shared good news whenever it has crossed my path.
This spring I married my partner and best friend of almost 10 years and this summer we were finally able to buy our own place. Even though it involved a lot of stress – and even moving to another country – we both feel so much better for it. It is honestly kind of surreal to think how much is different from this time last year – and yet, strangely enough, the same.
Train Quest!
As I mentioned in the previous issue – way back at the beginning of the month – December was set to be busy, and so it was. It was also, very adventurous!
This year, my wife and I decided to forego the stress and cacophony of airplane travel, and instead make our cross-European trips to visit family and friends… by train!
While it took longer (approximately 16 hours, split over the course of two days), doing the journey by train was so much better. The flexibility, the comfort, the sights and sounds, not to mention the romanticism of writing my book on a train? Simply magical, and I strongly encourage everyone to take the train more often if you can.
Speaking of my book…
Looking ahead to 2026
Book Nearing Completion: More Mirona Art!
Whether at my desk, in my in-laws’ living room, on a train seat’s fold-out table or in a budget hotel room in Switzerland… I have continued hammering away at my book.
I am well over 100 pages into it and the end is slowly coming into sight: after editing and proof-reading, I am hoping to be able to publish the book at some point before the middle of next year.
For now, I’d like to share a few pieces of Mirona-related art. Firstly, a redesign of Mirona’s look and outfit
Pictured above: Mirona fighting off a trio of monstrous inhabitants of the Maze. I decided to simplify her padded fabric armour, as well as make her legs and hands more bovine-like. Also, for narrative-related reasons suggested by my good wife, her formerly loose hair is now down up in a chunky braid.
Next up, two potential book cover designs.
Pictured above: two book cover designs I have come up with over the past week. On the left is my attempt at a more minimalist, abstract style. Mirona is featured wielding her buckler shield, standing in front of a mass of writhing tentacles and the profile sir Raspian, the skeletal knight. On the right, in my usual style, this design features Mirona’s first encounter with sir Raspian in the Maze.
For both of these, I was trying to simplify my usual more detail-heavy style. The first design has elements that I like, but overall I don’t think it accurately communicates what the book is about. I tried simplifying it further, but I ended up just getting frustrated. So, I went back to my usual style, but still keeping the two-tone colour palette, which I am really happy with. I think this second one does a better job at capturing the sword-and-sorcery / whimsical fantasy feel of the story. Plus, I just had more fun drawing it!
A New Game: Tentatively Stepping Back into Game Design!
Writing Mirona’s story has continued to be incredibly therapeutic after my game design burn-out. So much so, that it even got me back into a game designing mood. Indeed, I have scribbled some ideas for something that would use an entirely new system, which takes inspiration from a lot of other TTRPGs I greatly admire and enjoy.
As it stands, it includes d100 dice, a tag-based character creation and action resolution mechanic, and LOTS of roll tables. If you’ve been following me long enough, you know how much I love my roll tables.
To try and avoid the mindset that led to my recent burn-out, I am trying to see this as a game for myself and my friends first, instead of as a product. I am looking forward to giving it a few quick-and-messy play-tests soon.
I’ll have more news on this project, in the new year.
Media Spotlight!
- A beautiful speed-paint/video essay on Total Liberation (anarchism that also focuses on the liberation of non-human animals) by Just Wondering.
- An exceptionally well-performed and produced Beatles medley by the wonderful multi-instrumentalist and music expert, Fathom!
- Speaking of music, I recently purchased a whole bunch of music on bandcamp! If you’re a fan of cosy fantasy-inspired synths, I heartily recommend Aura Merlin’s album, “Illuminations“.
If you like Ska, then definitely check out JER, but also Girls Go Ska.
Also, good friend and music-maker Psiren just released a free-to-download album, “Mask Off“. - Chaoclypse is back with a new video after some serious health issues. Check out his delightful and creative video on minimalist dungeon terrain and minis.
- The Yogscast recently wrapped up their two weeks of fundraising for Jingle Jam 2025. The wonderful Briony recorded a cosy reading of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, featuring the voices of many other Yogscast members.
- Lastly, please enjoy this latest Becorn video by David M Bird, featuring the adorable Whimble.
That’s all for this year!
As always, thank you so much for reading.
One last reminder that if you feel like supporting my work, you can buy something from my website or itchio, join my Patreon as a paying member, or commission me.
If none of the above are doable for you, please consider spreading the word about my work to your friends!
New subscribers to the Penflower Post get a special discount code to use in the shop, as a thank you.
Until next time,
– Penflower
