J.T. Evans
@jtevans.bsky.social
Tabletop gamer and designer. Father. Technologist. Author. Editor. Web Developer. Author Coach. Creative. https://jtevans.net/ https://www.kilnar.com/ https://gnomestew.com/ (He/Him)
My latest @gnomestew.bsky.social article is all about how players and GMs can work together to make the game more personal for everyone involved. It's NOT session zero material, but info to gather from the players between session zero and session one. gnomestew.com/make-it-pers...
Make It Personal
Session zero is packed. Like, really packed, with so many things to do and consider and take care of. There's establishing the style/theme/tone of the game. Discussing safety tools. Establishing a gen...
gnomestew.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:26 PM
My latest @gnomestew.bsky.social article is all about how players and GMs can work together to make the game more personal for everyone involved. It's NOT session zero material, but info to gather from the players between session zero and session one. gnomestew.com/make-it-pers...
This upcoming Sunday (November, 16th), I'm joining 17 other authors at Black Forest Brewing Company (original location in Black Forest) in an in-person book sale event. Come get some books signed! Come get some beers! It's a great time to pick up gifts: www.facebook.com/events/82248...
November 11, 2025 at 1:44 AM
This upcoming Sunday (November, 16th), I'm joining 17 other authors at Black Forest Brewing Company (original location in Black Forest) in an in-person book sale event. Come get some books signed! Come get some beers! It's a great time to pick up gifts: www.facebook.com/events/82248...
Stone and Sky from Opal Kingdom Press is an anthology centered around gargoyles and is now live!
I have a story in there that took me THREE TRIES to get a good starting scene going, but I managed to still crank it out and edit it in a single day.
books2read.com/stoneandskya...
I have a story in there that took me THREE TRIES to get a good starting scene going, but I managed to still crank it out and edit it in a single day.
books2read.com/stoneandskya...
November 3, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Stone and Sky from Opal Kingdom Press is an anthology centered around gargoyles and is now live!
I have a story in there that took me THREE TRIES to get a good starting scene going, but I managed to still crank it out and edit it in a single day.
books2read.com/stoneandskya...
I have a story in there that took me THREE TRIES to get a good starting scene going, but I managed to still crank it out and edit it in a single day.
books2read.com/stoneandskya...
I'll be at @milehicon.bsky.social this weekend! My schedule won't fit in a post here, but it is on my web site.
jtevans.net/my-appearanc...
I hope to see lots of friendly faces there throughout the event.
jtevans.net/my-appearanc...
I hope to see lots of friendly faces there throughout the event.
Appearances - J.T. Evans
jtevans.net
October 31, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I'll be at @milehicon.bsky.social this weekend! My schedule won't fit in a post here, but it is on my web site.
jtevans.net/my-appearanc...
I hope to see lots of friendly faces there throughout the event.
jtevans.net/my-appearanc...
I hope to see lots of friendly faces there throughout the event.
Hey everyone,
I've launched a new venture! I've been a freelance editor, book formatter, cover designer, web designer, and author coach for a while. I've now made everything official with the launch of Kilnar Author Services. If you have need of any of the above, hit me up at www.kilnar.com.
I've launched a new venture! I've been a freelance editor, book formatter, cover designer, web designer, and author coach for a while. I've now made everything official with the launch of Kilnar Author Services. If you have need of any of the above, hit me up at www.kilnar.com.
Homepage - Kilnar Author Services
www.kilnar.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Hey everyone,
I've launched a new venture! I've been a freelance editor, book formatter, cover designer, web designer, and author coach for a while. I've now made everything official with the launch of Kilnar Author Services. If you have need of any of the above, hit me up at www.kilnar.com.
I've launched a new venture! I've been a freelance editor, book formatter, cover designer, web designer, and author coach for a while. I've now made everything official with the launch of Kilnar Author Services. If you have need of any of the above, hit me up at www.kilnar.com.
Huh. I had a post go up on @gnomestew.bsky.social Friday, and I totally forgot to post about it! It's about the differences between small and large groups of players at the table and how it can affect your gameplay and session management. gnomestew.com/small-groups...
Small Groups vs. Large Groups
How large is your RPG group? Small? Large? Average? What are the ramifications of each size of group? Do you have too few players? Too many?
It all depends on what you're looking for in your games and...
gnomestew.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Huh. I had a post go up on @gnomestew.bsky.social Friday, and I totally forgot to post about it! It's about the differences between small and large groups of players at the table and how it can affect your gameplay and session management. gnomestew.com/small-groups...
I hopped on the mics for a @gnomestew.bsky.social Gnomecast with @orikes.bsky.social and @whatdoiknowjr.bsky.social a while back. The episode about dealing with analysis paralysis in your #ttrpg sessions dropped today. gnomestew.com/gnomecast-22...
Gnomecast 222 - Combating Analysis Paralysis
https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GC_222_Combating-Analaysis-Paralaysis-final.mp3
Join Ang along with Jared and JT as they talk about how to combat analysis paralysis! What do you do wh...
gnomestew.com
October 8, 2025 at 6:20 PM
I hopped on the mics for a @gnomestew.bsky.social Gnomecast with @orikes.bsky.social and @whatdoiknowjr.bsky.social a while back. The episode about dealing with analysis paralysis in your #ttrpg sessions dropped today. gnomestew.com/gnomecast-22...
What elements of character do you put into your NPCs during your #ttrpg planning? You don't need to go overboard, but there are some basics to cover. I have a new @gnomestew.bsky.social article up that talks about these basic elements of NPCs.
gnomestew.com/basic-elemen...
gnomestew.com/basic-elemen...
Basic Elements of NPCs
NPCs in your RPGs come in all shapes, sizes, purposes, abilities, and reasons. It's near impossible to enumerate all of the facets of an NPC or why they are in the storyline. Despite the Herculean tas...
gnomestew.com
September 29, 2025 at 3:37 PM
What elements of character do you put into your NPCs during your #ttrpg planning? You don't need to go overboard, but there are some basics to cover. I have a new @gnomestew.bsky.social article up that talks about these basic elements of NPCs.
gnomestew.com/basic-elemen...
gnomestew.com/basic-elemen...
I hopped on the mics for a @gnomestew.bsky.social Gnomecast with @orikes.bsky.social and @clight101.bsky.social to talk about getting your players to not focus on the inconsequential things in your #ttrpg sessions. We had a blast chatting with one another!
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-22...
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-22...
Gnomecast 221 - Fixating on Trifles
https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GC_221_Triffles_final.mp3
Join Ang, Chris and JT as they chat about what to do when your players get fixated on trifling matters that you didn't intend...
gnomestew.com
September 25, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I hopped on the mics for a @gnomestew.bsky.social Gnomecast with @orikes.bsky.social and @clight101.bsky.social to talk about getting your players to not focus on the inconsequential things in your #ttrpg sessions. We had a blast chatting with one another!
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-22...
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-22...
Viper's Bane (the second Modern Mythology novel) is back in print! You can find out more details here jtevans.net/2025/09/vipe... or find it at most retailers (the list is growing as the book gets pushed out) here books2read.com/b/b58gd6
Viper's Bane is Back! - J.T. Evans
jtevans.net
September 17, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Viper's Bane (the second Modern Mythology novel) is back in print! You can find out more details here jtevans.net/2025/09/vipe... or find it at most retailers (the list is growing as the book gets pushed out) here books2read.com/b/b58gd6
Another short story from my Modern Mythology setting is live and out in the world!
books2read.com/talons
books2read.com/talons
September 15, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Another short story from my Modern Mythology setting is live and out in the world!
books2read.com/talons
books2read.com/talons
HALP!!!!
I ran my podcatcher dry today…. and I have a 3+ hour drive up to the mountains tomorrow.
This means I need some podcast content to fill those hours!
Here’s what I currently listen to: jtevans.net/about/podcas...
Any recommendations for podcasts to add to my podcatcher to fill the hours?
I ran my podcatcher dry today…. and I have a 3+ hour drive up to the mountains tomorrow.
This means I need some podcast content to fill those hours!
Here’s what I currently listen to: jtevans.net/about/podcas...
Any recommendations for podcasts to add to my podcatcher to fill the hours?
Podcasts I Listen To - J.T. Evans
jtevans.net
September 12, 2025 at 8:03 PM
HALP!!!!
I ran my podcatcher dry today…. and I have a 3+ hour drive up to the mountains tomorrow.
This means I need some podcast content to fill those hours!
Here’s what I currently listen to: jtevans.net/about/podcas...
Any recommendations for podcasts to add to my podcatcher to fill the hours?
I ran my podcatcher dry today…. and I have a 3+ hour drive up to the mountains tomorrow.
This means I need some podcast content to fill those hours!
Here’s what I currently listen to: jtevans.net/about/podcas...
Any recommendations for podcasts to add to my podcatcher to fill the hours?
I have another short story in my Modern Mythology setting starring Marcus Barber coming out on September 15th.
Marcus rejoins Xerxes the griffin from his first novel I wrote for him. Griffin’s Feather introduces Marcus and Xerxes, and the short story, Scale’s Balance, reunites them.
Marcus rejoins Xerxes the griffin from his first novel I wrote for him. Griffin’s Feather introduces Marcus and Xerxes, and the short story, Scale’s Balance, reunites them.
August 22, 2025 at 11:44 PM
I have another short story in my Modern Mythology setting starring Marcus Barber coming out on September 15th.
Marcus rejoins Xerxes the griffin from his first novel I wrote for him. Griffin’s Feather introduces Marcus and Xerxes, and the short story, Scale’s Balance, reunites them.
Marcus rejoins Xerxes the griffin from his first novel I wrote for him. Griffin’s Feather introduces Marcus and Xerxes, and the short story, Scale’s Balance, reunites them.
For a @gnomestew.bsky.social Gnomecast, I hopped on the mics with @orikes.bsky.social and @whatdoiknowjr.bsky.social to talk about niche protection in #ttrpgs.
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-21...
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-21...
Gnomecast 218 - Revisiting Niche Protection
https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CG_218-Niche-protection_final.mp3
Join Ang along with Jared and JT as they revisit a topic they discussed way back in episode 80: Niche Protection! Whe...
gnomestew.com
August 13, 2025 at 6:49 PM
For a @gnomestew.bsky.social Gnomecast, I hopped on the mics with @orikes.bsky.social and @whatdoiknowjr.bsky.social to talk about niche protection in #ttrpgs.
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-21...
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-21...
Griffin's Feather (my debut novel) has been rereleased into the wild again! It's now available in ebook and print formats with a whole new cover and layout.
If you didn't get a chance to check it out before, now is your chance!
books2read.com/u/bzNM7G
If you didn't get a chance to check it out before, now is your chance!
books2read.com/u/bzNM7G
August 10, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Griffin's Feather (my debut novel) has been rereleased into the wild again! It's now available in ebook and print formats with a whole new cover and layout.
If you didn't get a chance to check it out before, now is your chance!
books2read.com/u/bzNM7G
If you didn't get a chance to check it out before, now is your chance!
books2read.com/u/bzNM7G
Another @gnomestew.bsky.social post is live!
This time, I'm writing about handwavium in fiction and in RPGs. Not sure what handwavium is? Go check the link, and you'll find out! gnomestew.com/handwavium/
This time, I'm writing about handwavium in fiction and in RPGs. Not sure what handwavium is? Go check the link, and you'll find out! gnomestew.com/handwavium/
Handwavium
Handwavium is a neat concept in fiction that can be applied to tabletop RPGs. It can be used as a McGuffin for a goal. It can be used as a solution for an esoteric problem at hand. It can be used as p...
gnomestew.com
August 6, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Another @gnomestew.bsky.social post is live!
This time, I'm writing about handwavium in fiction and in RPGs. Not sure what handwavium is? Go check the link, and you'll find out! gnomestew.com/handwavium/
This time, I'm writing about handwavium in fiction and in RPGs. Not sure what handwavium is? Go check the link, and you'll find out! gnomestew.com/handwavium/
I've been involved in LOTS of conversations about tech stacks for authors lately. The answers are lengthy, and I got tired of repeating the info in different venues. This means it's time for a post on my site about what I use and why and all that good stuff.
jtevans.net/2025/08/my-t...
jtevans.net/2025/08/my-t...
My Tech Stack - J.T. Evans
jtevans.net
August 6, 2025 at 2:01 AM
I've been involved in LOTS of conversations about tech stacks for authors lately. The answers are lengthy, and I got tired of repeating the info in different venues. This means it's time for a post on my site about what I use and why and all that good stuff.
jtevans.net/2025/08/my-t...
jtevans.net/2025/08/my-t...
I hopped in the mics with @orikes.bsky.social and Matt for a @gnomestew.bsky.social Gnomecast episode. Ang and I were interviewed by Matt for how to prep a game. We had so much fun talking, there were a few side tangent conversations in there as well.
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-21...
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-21...
Gnomecast 216 - How Do You Prep
https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/CG_216-How-do-you-prep-final.mp3
Join Ang and JT as Matt leads the questions on how to prep for our games and how to make that easier for yourself.
...
gnomestew.com
July 16, 2025 at 3:41 PM
I hopped in the mics with @orikes.bsky.social and Matt for a @gnomestew.bsky.social Gnomecast episode. Ang and I were interviewed by Matt for how to prep a game. We had so much fun talking, there were a few side tangent conversations in there as well.
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-21...
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-21...
Looking to form a new #ttrpg gaming group? I have some advice for you over at @gnomestew.bsky.social on how to approach doing this.
gnomestew.com/starting-a-f...
gnomestew.com/starting-a-f...
Starting a Fresh Group
When forming a new group to play RPGs with, there are quite a few considerations to take into account. So many, in fact, that I don't think I can hit them all. I'm also certain I can't even think of t...
gnomestew.com
July 11, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Looking to form a new #ttrpg gaming group? I have some advice for you over at @gnomestew.bsky.social on how to approach doing this.
gnomestew.com/starting-a-f...
gnomestew.com/starting-a-f...
Another Modern Mythology starring Marcus Barber short story is out in the world! This time, it's in the Ashes and Embers anthology.
www.amazon.com/Ashes-Embers...
www.amazon.com/Ashes-Embers...
June 23, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Another Modern Mythology starring Marcus Barber short story is out in the world! This time, it's in the Ashes and Embers anthology.
www.amazon.com/Ashes-Embers...
www.amazon.com/Ashes-Embers...
I had a new @gnomestew.bsky.social article drop today about my views of what I call the collaborative storytelling loop during an RPG session or story arc.
gnomestew.com/collaborativ...
gnomestew.com/collaborativ...
Collaborative Storytelling Loop
Most RPGs tell a story of some kind. Some are deeper than others, but there is a story hiding under the cover of the mechanics somewhere. Since most RPGs are played in a group, this makes the storytel...
gnomestew.com
June 20, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I had a new @gnomestew.bsky.social article drop today about my views of what I call the collaborative storytelling loop during an RPG session or story arc.
gnomestew.com/collaborativ...
gnomestew.com/collaborativ...
New releases from @hygregor.bsky.social and Shady! They arrived today, and I can't wait to get them to sign their respective stories.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCDD5ZHH
and
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FC6PCMNK
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCDD5ZHH
and
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FC6PCMNK
June 12, 2025 at 2:57 AM
New releases from @hygregor.bsky.social and Shady! They arrived today, and I can't wait to get them to sign their respective stories.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCDD5ZHH
and
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FC6PCMNK
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCDD5ZHH
and
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FC6PCMNK
I had a @gnomestew.bsky.social article drop a few days ago and was too busy to post about it! This one's about collaborative storytelling styles in #ttrpg!
gnomestew.com/collaborativ...
gnomestew.com/collaborativ...
Collaborative Storytelling Styles
Here's a strong opinion of mine. I'll die on a hill defending this opinion as well. Here goes.
The main point of role playing games is to get a group together to tell stories in a collaborative and fu...
gnomestew.com
May 16, 2025 at 5:51 PM
I had a @gnomestew.bsky.social article drop a few days ago and was too busy to post about it! This one's about collaborative storytelling styles in #ttrpg!
gnomestew.com/collaborativ...
gnomestew.com/collaborativ...
My latest @gnomestew.bsky.social post is about why I play #ttrpgs. I'd love to hear why you game. In this case, "game" can be an RPG, a card game, a board game, a computer game, or whatever. I'm curious what brings you to the fun of playing a game.
gnomestew.com/why-i-play-r...
gnomestew.com/why-i-play-r...
Why I Play RPGs
Friends
The main reason I play tabletop role playing games is for the friends I have at the table. I've been gaming with the members of my current group for between 7 and 25 years, depending on which...
gnomestew.com
April 16, 2025 at 4:24 PM
My latest @gnomestew.bsky.social post is about why I play #ttrpgs. I'd love to hear why you game. In this case, "game" can be an RPG, a card game, a board game, a computer game, or whatever. I'm curious what brings you to the fun of playing a game.
gnomestew.com/why-i-play-r...
gnomestew.com/why-i-play-r...
I hopped on the mics with @orikes.bsky.social and @soless.bsky.social for a @gnomestew.bsky.social Gnomecast. We talked about "System Screen Burn" where subtle changes in systems can sometimes throw you off and how to handle it.
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-21...
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-21...
Gnomecast 210 - System Screen Burn
https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GC_210_System_Screen_Burn_final.mp3
Join Ang along with Josh and JT as they talk about how to navigate having multiple game systems embedded in your b...
gnomestew.com
April 9, 2025 at 5:09 PM
I hopped on the mics with @orikes.bsky.social and @soless.bsky.social for a @gnomestew.bsky.social Gnomecast. We talked about "System Screen Burn" where subtle changes in systems can sometimes throw you off and how to handle it.
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-21...
gnomestew.com/gnomecast-21...