Waking up this morning, I discovered that a rather lovely Patron had slipped me a Ko-Fi donation that was just enough to cover the cost of the Kindle edition of, “So You Want To Be a Game Master” by Justin Alexander. So… yeah, I bought it and started reading it over breakfast.

It’s first worth saying that I have ordered three copies of this book which, although released in the US on Nov 21st, has still to arrive in the UK… or, at least, my copy from Blackwell’s hasn’t shipped yet. My benefactor has received his copy from Blackwell’s so, yes, I am jealous.

I’ve begun reading it and although the first part (being about the very basics of GMing a dungeon) is rookie stuff that I don’t feel I need, it’s still a very good read. It’s interesting to mull over what Justin has decided to say on the topic and I particularly admire the example dungeon.

What I am looking forward to is the rest of the book – the 500 odd pages after the first 40 – which go into other scenario structures and techniques for being a Gamemaster.

The book is very readable – I think because it has been written for the imagined 11-12 year old newbie that Justin was hoping might use it – and so it’s a pleasant saunter through the art of GMing.

I’ll write more once I’ve a) got the paper copy, b) read the whole thing, and c) donated the other two copies to actual 12-year-old newbies who are interesting in running D&D at the School Club. But on first taste, it’s a book I’d recommend already.

Game on!