Why I Make What I Make
The Manifesto 🌑 8 December 2024
I've been reading Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture by Kyle Chayka, a staff writer for The New Yorker. The book examines how algorithms shape our cultural consumption, influencing everything from the media we engage with to the products we buy. Chayka argues that this algorithmic influence leads to a homogenized culture, where unique and diverse expressions are often overshadowed by content tailored to maximize engagement.
This resonates with me. I create what I want, how I want, without letting algorithms dictate my direction. Sure, I could play the game, churn out "content" to appease the algorithmic gods and probably reach more people. But that would be a soul-sucking grind, stripping away the art and joy of creation.
That's why it irks me when people sneer at me for creating for money, as if that's some artistic failing. Or when I'm accused of using generative AI because they can't fathom having the time and discipline to do this work full-time. Sorry, not sorry, that I'm not doomscrolling, binge-watching shows, or grinding out video game achievements. Instead, I'm here making books I believe in. Not as a hobby, not for a lark, but for a living. And honestly? That's pretty damn satisfying.
Do I think about my audience? Absolutely. But I think about you, not what some algorithm guesses you might click on. That's the difference. That's the freedom of this. And reading Filterworld reminds me that freedom is worth hanging onto.
I hope you’re doing well today.
Berin
Print It, Use It, Love It
We’ve been getting a lot of questions lately: “Can I print out your digital books?” We hear you, physical books aren’t available yet, and some of you prefer the feel of paper to scrolling through a PDF. The short answer is yes, you absolutely can print them.
The Fine Print (That Nobody Reads)
Tucked away at the front of every book, hidden in the copyright and legal notices, you’ll find this line:“Permission is granted for personal use and copying, in whole or in part.” We get it, nobody reads that section. But it’s there to make sure you can use our materials in whatever way works best for you. Print them out, mark them up, adapt them for your table. Just keep it personal, don’t resell or distribute them.
The Future of Physical Books
For those of you who love physical books, we’ve got good news. We’re working hard to make them available through Amazon, and the first titles should start rolling out in January. By the end of next year, we hope to expand availability to other venues.
Why start with Amazon? The short version is that it’s a practical starting point, but the longer explanation involves some grim, gory details we’ll share once the first books are out. For now, know that physical copies are coming, and we’re excited to put our work into your hands in a way that works for you.
Keep your eyes peeled for updates, and in the meantime, feel free to print out those PDFs!
The Master Plan
Here’s what I’ll be working on next year, in the order I plan to tackle it. There are no firm deadlines, projects will be finished as I’m able. If you don’t see something listed below, it doesn’t mean I’m not going to work on it, I’m just not adding more to the list until I’ve finished all of this.
This section will repeat and be updated in future newsletters, with additional details as I get to each project group.
Occult Titles
These are strong sellers at the moment, so they help keep the lights on while I work on bigger projects.
Release the remaining occult/genre books.
Update legacy occult titles (lots of witchy stuff) to The Simple Approach compatibility standards, both system-specific and system-agnostic.
Update covers and formats to be print-ready.
Holiday Titles
Holiday books also sell well but have a narrow release window, so they need priority.
Release the rest of the holiday/genre titles ASAP.
Update legacy holiday books (Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, etc.) for 2025 using The Simple Approach.
Update covers and formats to be print-ready.
Ghostlight & Dark Academia
These projects overlap heavily with my occult and dark academia research.
Finish and release Ghostlight.
Update existing dark academia titles to The Simple Approach compatibility standards.
Update covers and formats to be print-ready.
DoubleZero & Espionage
This section focuses on espionage themes, not all legacy DoubleZero titles.
Release DoubleZero Gold.
Update general espionage books to The Simple Approach compatibility standards.
Update covers and formats to be print-ready.
The Simple Approach
The foundation of everything moving forward.
Release the remaining core books.
Update covers and formats to be print-ready.
Foragers Guild Gold 1.3
This one needs priority to get the core book into print.
Incorporate updates from refinements made during work on Ghostlight and DoubleZero.
Update covers and formats to be print-ready.
Lightspress Handbook v1.3
A living document that won’t see print until it’s stable for at least six months.
Add updates from work on Ghostlight, DoubleZero, and Foragers Guild Gold.
Expand the FAQs.
Update covers and formats to be print-ready.
Print Books on Amazon
Getting physical copies out there is a big goal for the year.
Start with full games (Foragers Guild Gold, DoubleZero Gold, Ghostlight).
Prioritize revised sourcebooks by genre and popularity.
Explore additional print options.
Traditional Fantasy Titles
Focusing on closing loops and assessing what’s worth updating.
Release the remaining profession books (Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer).
Update select titles to The Simple Approach standards; reassess the rest for later.
Update covers and formats to be print-ready.
Cozy Fantasy Titles
Same approach as traditional fantasy, but with a cozier vibe.
Finish and release the remaining profession books.
Update select cozy fantasy titles to The Simple Approach standards; reassess the rest for later.
Update covers and formats to be print-ready.
After This Wave
Once I’ve worked through this list, I’ll reassess, tackle other genres, and do additional passes on traditional and cozy fantasy.
DoubleZero Sourcebooks
Some DoubleZero books will become standalone games using The Simple Approach.
Example: Spectres of Mars will be expanded into a full, self-contained game when I focus on that genre.
Same goes for Hardboiled Follies during the crime and mystery wave.
Opera Games
The Opera series will be expanded into full, single-book games using The Simple Approach.
This includes Starlight Opera, Streetlight Opera, Moonlight Opera, and Crossbones Opera.
Releases will align with their respective genre waves.
“Sixth Edition”
Wizards isn’t calling it Sixth Edition, which is confusing, but I’ll address it anyway.
When the new Dungeons & Dragons SRD hits Creative Commons (expected February/March), I’ll create an official conversion document.
This will be a full, detailed book available for free in the Lightspress shop and pay-what-you-want elsewhere.
I’ll do the same for Pathfinder and potentially other systems if there’s demand.
My Goal
The aim is clarity, for both of us. Ideally, this roadmap will keep things organized and provide a steady enough income that I won’t need to constantly pivot to market whims.
Latest Releases
Here’s what’s new in the Lightspress shop this week!
Occult Christmas
This isn't a book about Santa or silent nights. It's about finding the occult roots hidden beneath the holly and ivy, the alchemical metaphors wrapped in the spirit of giving, and the strange synchronicities that make the season feel both magical and otherworldly. Imagine secret rituals performed in candlelit parlors on the longest night of the year or unearthing an ancient grimoire tucked beneath the tinsel at a Victorian-themed Christmas market. Now imagine weaving these moments into a narrative where your characters must navigate the fine line between festive joy and the dangerous allure of the unknown. Read More
Occult Crime
Occult Crime puts you in a world where shadows hold secrets, and the weight of your choices lingers long after the scene fades. This isn’t about chasing caped lunatics or tangling with fanged caricatures. It’s a gritty, grounded take on the intersection of crime and the occult. Forget the cheap gags and tired stereotypes, this sourcebook digs into the roots of occult traditions, weaving them into a contemporary crime setting where every ritual, symbol, and whispered chant has meaning. The focus stays sharp, steering clear of religion for reasons that shouldn’t need spelling out. Read More
Christmas Crime
Step into a world where the spirit of the season clashes with the grit of crime fiction. Christmas Crime takes the tired holiday tropes you’ve seen before, shakes off the tinsel, and drops them into a hard-boiled story that captures the true essence of secular Christmas. This isn’t about fighting holiday-themed monsters or groaning over another pun-laden plot. It’s a toolkit for roleplaying stories where decisions, not dice, determine the outcome, and where the stakes are as real as they are festive. Read More
Christmas Horror
Christmas Horror invites you to step into the shadowed glow of the holiday season, where the warm twinkle of lights disguises a creeping chill. This isn’t your standard holiday fare packed with cheesy jokes or re-skinned monsters. No, this is something deeper, a secular and cultural exploration of Christmas through the lens of fear and unease, stripped of religious overtones for reasons that should go without saying. What you’ll find here is a toolkit designed to unearth the raw spirit of the season, capturing its joy, its sorrow, and its uncanny potential to unsettle. Read More
Occult Horror
Occult Horror isn’t for the faint of heart, nor is it for those seeking shallow caricatures of the occult. This book aims to embody the unsettling truths that make occultism enduring and unnerving. Grounded in historical traditions and eschewing religious overtones, it pulls inspiration from the real and the imagined, creating a toolkit designed to capture the spirit of occultism without drowning in tired tropes or clichés. Read More
Thank You
Thank you for standing with us as we push forward. With each step, your support fuels our efforts, helping us overcome challenges and stay on course. Together, we’re building something unique, bringing ideas to life with resilience and determination. We appreciate every bit of your support.
This week’s discount code is YULETIDE. Use it to enjoy 25% off your orders at the Lightspress shop until the end of the year.
Our next issue will be released on the day of the next full moon. See you then, and as always, I hope you’re doing well today.
The Manifesto is the official source for news on upcoming releases, articles and opinions, and assorted ramblings on our games and our philosophy of roleplaying. New issues are released four times a month, on the new moon, first quarter moon, full moon, and last quarter moon, with special quarterly issues for each equinox and solstice. Stay connected and subscribe to The Manifesto now!
Lightspress promotes a simple approach to roleplaying, focusing on the utility and value of the content rather than flashy production. We strategically employ visual elements to amplify the message conveyed by the text, allowing us to create powerful and affordable toolkits. Remember, the true essence of the roleplaying experience lies not within the pages of a book, but in the creativity and collaboration fostered around your tabletop.
