Gaslight & Steam

In the same vein as What Color is Your Parachute, this book takes a broad view of careers and the world of work. Viewed through the lens of Zen Buddhism, the reader is invited to think about what work means to them, what satisfies them, and to develop a career that fits them spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.

Drawing from real-life experience with a broad and varied portfolio, the authors cover all the aspects of writing for video games. They address narrative games specifically (which means a focus on first person shooters, roleplaying games, and adventure games) starting with an analysis of those types of games and proceeding to the role of the writer, asset management, project management, and more. Many of the chapters are applicable not just to other disciplines in game development and design, but also in other areas like web development that involves content.

From Kirkus Reviews (as “Watchfires to the North”):
Arthur minus the mumbo-jumbo, the round table and Excalibur–here Artyr, an indifferent warrior but a great general. This is the memoir of a king, Lucius Bedwyr Marcianus of Turris Alba, from the time he was sent out on his first mission at thirteen and returned with the badly wounded Artyr, to Artyr’s death ‘many years later while the chief of Bedwyr’s army. Bedwyr writes formally, almost regally, of their many battles, of their trip to New Rome (Constantinople) to learn the art of cavalry warfare, of his marriage (“”my dear Sybilla””), of many well-known characters–Gladhad (“”a mystic””), Gwenyfer (“”a good and loyal wife””), Mylan–their names spelled in the old way. Constant action is complemented by Bedwyr’s reflections on character and history; as human as any diary keeper, he subtly records his own maturing and that of his elusive cousin Gwenyfer, but Artyr, he comments, was never youthful. An anthropological record of the period, a realistic look at a legendary figure–Artyr or Arthur he’s especially convincing here.

From the publisher:
If there’s one thing Beatrice Tanaka never wanted to be, it’s normal. But somehow, her life has unfolded as a series of “should haves.” Her powers of emotional projection should have made her one of the most formidable superheroes of all time. And she should have been allowed to join her older sister Evie as a full-fledged protector of San Francisco, pulverizing the city’s plethora of demon threats.

But Evie and her superheroing partner, Aveda Jupiter, insist on seeing Bea as the impulsive, tempestuous teenager she used to be–even though she’s now a responsible adult. And that means Bea is currently living a thoroughly normal life. She works as a bookstore lackey, hangs out with best friends Sam Fujikawa and Leah Kim, and calms her workplace’s more difficult customers. Sure, she’s not technically supposed to be playing with people’s mental states. But given the mundanity of her existence, who can blame her?

When a mysterious being starts communicating with Bea, hinting at an evil that’s about to overtake the city, she seizes the opportunity, hoping to turn her “should haves” into the fabulous heroic life she’s always wanted. But gaining that life may mean sacrificing everything–and everyone–she holds dear…