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PODCAST

Game Master"s Book Club

Eric Adrian Jackson

Talented Gamemasters read speculative fiction to provide advice on how to run games within those worlds, borrow elements from those worlds for your own games, and recommend similar media to inspire your table top games.

leisure games

All Episodes

42:48

GMBC ep23 - From Goblins to Game Masters: Navigating...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2026/01/02

George Krubski, Marshall Smith, and Eric Drik dive into a captivating discussion centered around "The Goblin Emperor" by Katherine Addison, a narrative that not only enchants with its intricate world-building but also poses thought-provoking questions about governance and the role of rulers in fantasy settings. The trio explores how the protagonist, Maya, navigates the treacherous waters of court politics, illustrating the challenges of leadership in a world laden with expectations and intrigue

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53:56

GMBC ep22-Unveiling the Crescent Moon: A Dive into...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/12/26

The podcast dives into the rich tapestry of "Throne of the Crescent Moon" by Saladin Ahmed, highlighting its unique blend of fantastical elements and Middle Eastern culture. The discussion centers around the characters and their reluctant heroism, particularly focusing on Dr. Abdullah Mahkloud, an aging ghoul hunter, and his diverse group of allies, including a magical shape-shifting girl and a pair of old adventurers. Throughout the episode, the speakers engage in a lively exploration of the book's

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42:58

GMBC ep21-From Page to Play: How Anne McCaffrey’s...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/12/12

Casey Asl, Marisa Wolf, and Melissa Olthoff, collectively known as the Farreladies, dive into a rich tapestry of lore and nostalgia as they explore Anne McCaffrey's seminal work, *Dragonflight*, the first installment in the *Dragonriders of Pern* series. The episode kicks off with a discussion that ranges from the impact of the U.S. Air Force on McCaffrey's narrative to the quirky threads of ancient Internet lore surrounding fan fiction. Their conversation not only highlights the beloved dragons

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42:42

GMBC ep20-Navigating Magic and Romance: The Allure of...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/11/28

The podcast dives deep into the enchanting world of *The Sundered Realms*, a fantasy novel by Casey Blair, where magic and romance intertwine amidst a backdrop of intrigue and peril. Listeners are treated to a lively discussion featuring host Eric Jackson and guests Chris Grannis, David Clarkson, and newcomer Scott Legault, who explore the intricacies of a narrative filled with spies, magical gates, and hyper-competent mages falling in love. The episode cleverly dissects the definitions of fantasy,

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30:35

GMBC ep19 - Unpacking the Unwilling Recruit: Military...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/11/14

The podcast dives into the intriguing realm of military science fiction, centering on "Sentence to War" by J.N. Cheney and Jonathan P. Brazee. The discussion unfolds with hosts Eric Jackson and his fellow game masters—George Krubski, Marshall Smith, and Eric Driks—sharing their insights on how military themes can enhance tabletop role-playing experiences. They explore the series' unique elements, such as genetically augmented soldiers and AI companions, while also pondering the complexities of

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59:33

GMBC ep18 - Biotech Horrors and Tabletop Adventures:...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/10/31

The podcast dives into the gaming potential of Jeff VanderMeer's "Borne," a narrative steeped in morally complex relationships and set against a post-ecological disaster backdrop. Alex Jackl, Ian Eller, and Sean Murphy explore whether a Game Master can serve as an unreliable narrator, and how the use of factions and interpersonal conflict can enhance gameplay. They passionately debate the implications of these themes for tabletop role-playing, arguing that Vandermeer’s work is ripe for adaptation

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44:48

GMBC-ep17- Tabletop Adventures in Corp-Space:...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/10/17

The discussion dives deep into the intriguing world of "All Systems Red," the first novella in Martha Wells' celebrated "Murderbot Diaries." In this episode, game masters Karen Ford, Rob Trimarco, and Jason Keeley share their insights on a protagonist that is both a reluctant hero and a self-proclaimed slacker, navigating the complexities of its existence while grappling with its newfound autonomy. They explore themes of corporate malfeasance, the essence of personhood, and the nuances of found

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44:01

GMBC ep16 Superhero Genre Redefined: Lessons from...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/10/03

Astro City: Life in the Big City serves as a delightful exploration of a superhero universe that marries the extraordinary with the mundane, demonstrating how the presence of super-powered individuals shapes everyday life. In this episode, the hosts of the Game Masters Book Club, including seasoned GMs Jonathan Mazur, Shaun Murphy, and John Corbett, delve into the first six issues of this iconic graphic novel by Kurt Busiek, highlighting its unique storytelling approach that emphasizes character

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45:46

GMBC ep15 Desert Dreams and Reality Distortions:...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/09/19

Michael St.Ayre, Rick Stec, and Mauricio Cordero dive deep into the chaotic and surreal world of Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," exploring how this gonzo classic can infuse life into tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). They tackle the novel's provocative themes, including its critiques of American culture, while addressing the content warnings that accompany its wild narrative. The trio shares their unique approaches to twisting reality in their games, with Rick advocating

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41:50

GMBC ep014 - LitTechs and Jane Eyre and GMO...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/09/05

In this episode, the podcast dives into the whimsical world of Jasper Fforde's "The Eyre Affair," a literary adventure that intertwines genres and time travel in a delightfully chaotic manner. The conversation introduces three new Game Masters—Rob trimarco, Jason Keeley, and Keren Form, - who share their unique gaming journeys and explore the surreal elements of the Thursday Next series, where genetically resurrected dodos and literary heists come to life. They discuss how to transform this

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38:08

GMBC ep13 - Espionage and Vampires: A Game Master's...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/08/22

The podcast dives into the intriguing world of espionage, psychic agents, and parasitic vampires, all revolving around the 18-book Necroscope series by Brian Lumley, which serves as the focal point of the discussion. Returning game masters Alice Jackl, Sean Murphy, and Ian Eller share their insights on how to effectively incorporate the themes of spies and vampires into tabletop role-playing games. Throughout the episode, the hosts explore the unique challenges associated with translating Lumley's

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25:47

GMBC ep12 - K-Pop Demon Hunters - The Summer Movie...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/08/15

K Pop Demon Hunters emerges as the standout cinematic experience of summer 2025, captivating audiences with its blend of fantasy, paranormal elements, and catchy music—every track is a certified banger. The episode features a lively discussion among game masters who share their favorite characters and delve into the film's rich storytelling. They explore how the film’s vibrant narrative can inspire tabletop role-playing games, with each host proposing game systems that would best capture its

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34:22

GMBC ep11 - Dungeon Crawler Carl: Where Dark Comedy...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/08/08

The main focus of this podcast episode revolves around the exploration of "Dungeon Crawler Carl," a science fiction fantasy that cleverly blends traditional storytelling with LitRPG elements. The hosts, including Marshall Smith, Eric Driks, and George Krubski, embark on a humorous journey through the absurdities of tabletop role-playing games, sharing their own bizarre experiences with strange items they've encountered during campaigns. As they delve into the book's themes of survival, loss, and the

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47:35

GMBC ep10 - Echoes of Adventure: The Last Hour...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/07/25

Mystery and adventure intertwine as the podcast dives into the fascinating world of Melissa Caruso's *The Last Hour Between Worlds*, the inaugural entry in the Echo Archives trilogy. The discussion not only explores the book’s narrative but also delves into how its themes can enrich tabletop role-playing games, particularly through the lens of time travel and its implications. Caruso, and host Eric Jackson, alongside experienced game masters Roger and Colleen, shares insights on the creative process

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35:27

GMBC ep09 - Zombies vs. Superheroes: The Ultimate...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/07/11

The podcast dives headfirst into the intriguing blend of superheroes and zombies presented in Peter Cline's *Ex Heroes*, where the remnants of humanity grapple with their undead counterparts in a dystopian Los Angeles. As returning game masters Roger, Alex, Chris, and David form a formidable team, they explore what makes this mashup not just entertaining, but also ripe for tabletop roleplaying adventures. They ponder the unique gaming experiences that arise from the tension between heroic ideals and

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37:32

GMBC ep08 - The Black God's Drums by P. Djeli Clark...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/06/27

Exploring the intersection of magic and technology, this podcast episode delves into the rich tapestry of P. Djèlí Clark's novella, *The Black God's Drums*, set in a steampunk alternative history of New Orleans. Ian Eller, Alex Jackal, and Sean Murphy join host Eric Jackson to discuss how the narrative weaves powerful themes of political intrigue and cultural identity, all while centering around the titular weapon that can summon storms. The trio shares their personal experiences as Game Masters,

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35:57

GMBC ep07 - Questing with Percy: How to Game Master...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/06/13

The main discussion in this episode revolves around how three new Game Masters, George Krubski, Marshall Smith and Eric Driks, tackle the challenge of adapting "The Lightning Thief," the first book in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series, into a tabletop role-playing game. As they dive into the rich tapestry of mythological themes and character dynamics, they explore the intricacies of translating Percy's journey into a gaming experience that captures both the narrative depth and the lighthearted

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35:27

GMBC ep06 - River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey, with...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/05/30

Sarah Gailey's "River of Teeth" takes center stage as the Game Masters Book Club dives into a whimsical and unexpectedly thrilling alternate history where hippos reign supreme. Eric Jackson, alongside game masters Petra Jackl, Colleen Nochtrieb, and Roger Alix-Goudreau, embarks on a lively discussion about this unique narrative that intertwines heists, vibrant characters, and, yes, hippos. The crew explores how this peculiar premise not only entertains but also sparks discussions on character

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37:02

GMBC ep05 - Rising Phoenix Game Con, April 2025 with...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/05/16

This lively discussion brings to light the intricate relationship between literature and tabletop gaming, particularly focusing on how beloved book characters inspire Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. The host engages with a trio of experienced Dungeon Masters—Dan, Pat, and Neil—who share their unique experiences and insights from years of gaming. They dive into the mechanics of character creation, the artistry of storytelling, and even sprinkle in some humorous anecdotes about their personal gaming

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53:16

GMBC ep04 - The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey...

Game Master"s Book Club ·

2025/05/06

We're here with three new gamemasters, Alex Jackl, Sean Murphy and Ian Eller to explore the new Universe by James S. A. Corey, the creators of the Expanse. The Mercy of Gods, the first book in the Captive's War series pits the human-like Anjinn against the overwhelming forces of the technologically superior and authoritarian Carryx who come to conquer them. This book proved a real challenge to bring to the table top space but Alex, Sean and I did an admirable job.

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23 results

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