RandomSprint's State of the Substack 2025

What's Coming Next

I have been slow to update this Substack. Firstly, I don’t want to spoil any publishable stories, and secondly, I dislike running afoul of Twitter’s vexing outbound links ban, and it has turned me off this platform.

Nevertheless, I shouldn’t neglect you. Here’s a list of projects I have not yet mentioned in this newsletter.

• The Siren’s Symphony is a Choose Your Own Adventure novel set in the Odyssey. It was published on RandomSprint.com in September 2023. I made a trailer and some custom JavaScript to make this function. Let me know when you complete all the achievements, and I’ll add you to a Twitter list of completionists.

• The Fermentation is a 6,300-word sci-fi story I finished in December 2023. It is set in the near future and features First Contact with an alien species inspired by Robin Hanson’s Grabby Aliens theory. This is the first story I wrote where I intentionally focused on character rather than seeing how many high concepts I could glue together into interesting shapes.

• The Interdimensional Accord is a 1,800-word sci-fi story I finished in July 2024. It plays with the idea of the Simulation Theory. Very dense.

• The Lesser Basilisks is a 4,350-word fantasy story I finished in October 2024. This is a D&D-esque story with some magical mechanics I’m proud of. This will probably be the next piece I self-publish.

• The Royal Archmage is a 2,100-word fantasy story I finished in December 2024. The pitch is grimdark steampunk wizards. I have submitted this story to a quarterly writing contest and am excited to receive feedback.

• Early this year, I wrote a Currently Unnamed Warhammer 40k Story for the Black Library’s 2025 writing contest. The contest calls for a 500-word scene, and I’ve completed a 1,700-word short story. I am a massive fan of the lore, and it would be an honor to pen an addition to it.

• I am working on an educational children’s game with @__tzs. More to come after we finish the prototype.

I love pre-readers, so let me know if you’re interested in an early look at any of the above. I would also love to collaborate with vocal talent on audio dramas.

I am blessed with a full life. Between the demanding job, young family, and release of Factorio: Space Age, it can be hard to find uninterrupted hours for deep focus, but I’m happiest when there’s a creative project to mull over in my head, and I hope to have more things to show in 2025.

The state of the Substack is strong. Thank you for reading.