World Building on Forspoken, out now!

Forspoken, the long-awaited action role-playing game developed by Luminous Productions and published by Square Enix, finally hit the shelves on January 24th, 2023 for PlayStation 5. I am proud to have participated in an early worldbuilding phase of the project, contributing to the creation of the fantastical realm of Athia. I collaborated with a host of amazing writers from TV, games, and publishing. The actual writing team, including Gary Whitta, Amy Hennig, Allison Rymer, and Todd Stashwick, wrote the game itself.

Players take on the role of Frey Holland, a young woman transported from New York City to the tyrannical land of Athia. Equipped with magical powers, players must navigate the open-world and find a way back home. The game features a variety of enemies and bosses to battle, as well as the ability to upgrade equipment and craft new items.

As a PlayStation 5 console exclusive for two years, Forspoken offers players the opportunity to delve into a fully-realized world. It was a privilege to work alongside such a talented team, and I look forward to seeing players’ reactions as they explore the world we envisioned.

Speaking at Loscon today on writing transmedia and goal-setting

Nothing says Thanksgiving weekend quite like Loscon. The Los Angeles-based convention has been a hallmark of this weekend since 1975 (!). I’ll be joining a host of other awesome writers to speak today (11/26) on two panels. We’ll discuss writing across media, as well as give fresh, hot tips on setting goals as a writer. If you want to hang out with fans and professionals in the science fiction and fantasy community, head on down!

Here are the panels I’ll be on today. See you soon!

Goal Setting for Writers
How to create goals for yourself and stick to them.
When: 1-2:15pm PST
Where: California 1 (formerly Houston)
Who: Denise Dumars, Wendy Van Camp, David Avallone, Matthew Arnold Stern, and me!

Multimedia science fiction and fantasy
Everything you ever want to know about mixed media.
When: 4-5:15pm PST
Where: Pacific Coast 2 (Formerly Atlanta)
Who: Gene Turnbow, Larry Rosenthal, Tom Piedmont, Scott A. Woodard, and me!

Loscon 48
Today! November 26-27, 2022
Los Angeles Airport Marriott
West Century Boulevard 5855, 90045 Los Angeles

Writing on Daniel Spellbound, now out on Netflix!

Wherever you are in the world, Daniel Spellbound is there. The action adventure animated series I wrote for premieres worldwide on Netflix today! If you like magic, exploration, and talking pigs, the new Netflix series DANIEL SPELLBOUND is for you. I had the privilege of joining the writers room, contributing to the story arc, and writing an episode. After a lot of hard work by the artists, animators, and CG artists, Daniel’s world has fully come to life. So sit back and join Danny and his friends on a grand adventure over the course of ten episodes on Netflix.

In modern-day New York City, Daniel Spellbound tracks hard-to-find magical ingredients and draws the attention of‌ the wrong people.

But wait, there’s more! If you want to help bring about more awesome animation on Netflix, watch the series, then slide a little thumbs up button on the DANIEL SPELLBOUND page to give it a good rating. Enjoy, and we’ll see you in New York City — or on a magic ice cream truck. Just roll with it.

 

Getting Dark at SDCC: Speaking on Women on the Dark Side panel

Braving Comic-Con this year? If you’ll be in San Diego, take a moment to put your feet up and get ready for a panel! I’ll be joining a group of fabulous female creatives as we discuss the darker side of life and how we incorporate it into our work. From comics and games to non-fiction, this panel will delve into horror and more, and will help you figure out how to wrangle the darkness in your own work as well. Can’t wait to see you at San Diego Comic-Con. Be safe out there!

WOMEN ON THE DARK SIDE
When: Thursday, July 21, 2022, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Where: Room 24ABC, San Diego Convention Center

DESCRIPTION
Whether it’s comic books, films, novels, or art, these women are creating content that connects with the deeper, darker side of all of us. Featuring Sandy King Carpenter (president, Storm King Productions), Anne Toole (Horizon Zero Dawn), Debbie Smith Daughetee (CEO, Kymera Press), Dr. Suzana Flores (Untamed: The Psychology of Marvel’s Wolverine). Moderated by Susan Lee (founder, Women on The Dark Side).

Tonight! Speaking on Droids & Galaxies panel at Scum & Villainy!

In celebration of the real Star Wars day, I’ll be speaking about writing droids and galaxies at the one and only Scum & Villainy Cantina in Hollywood. If you love learning about Star Wars and getting into the creative side of science fiction, then come on over. Digital LA will host the Droids & Galaxies panel featuring me and ship designer Sonny Tien Nguyen at 6pm tonight! Hope to see you there!

Digital LA – Droids & Galaxies: Panel and Cantina Digital Drinks

Speakers will share their stories including their career path in the industry, their projects, and where you can see their work (e.g visit Disneyland Batuu, digital comic, etc.). Intergalactic costumes or shirts encouraged!

Panel 6-7p, followed by networking. During and after the panel 6-7p, enjoy food and drink, including several Digital Drink party specials from the Scum and Villainy Cantina’s new menu, available from 6-8p only.

At 8p, attendees are welcome to join in the Cantina’s weekly Trivia Night, which will feature Star Wars theme.

SPEAKERS

– Sonny Tien Nguyen is a Three-Time THEA Award Winning Walt Disney Imagineer, Creative Designer and Art Director. He worked on several key elements and immersive designs for the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Themed Land at Disneyland and Disney World. His works include the creation of droid DJ Rex in Oga’s Cantina, Droid Designs, Land Ornamentation, Graphics and the X-Wings and other star ships including the ITS Ship and the Millennium Falcon exterior and interior cockpit. He is fluent in reading and writing Aurebesh and has created different languages within the land including Droid Depot’s Droidobesh. He also worked on branding and product design including toys, pins, Star Wars Beverages and in-story Coca-Cola bottle drinks. He was integral to the creative core team for Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge from a large scale to all the very intricate details of sets and props for the E-ticket attractions such as The Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run and Rise of the Resistance; as well as the actual flying X-Wings with WDI Research and Development.

– Anne Toole, Writer, Star Wars Adventures. Anne is a Writers Guild Award winning writer who has written for games, comics, and other projects. Her Star Wars related credits include writing stories in Star Wars Adventures #11, and a short story in ‘From A Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back’ anthology. She has written on Horizon Zero Dawn game, for which she won a WGA game writing award, and the Horizon Zero Dawn comic. She has also written stories on Women of Marvel comic anthologies.

– Moderator: Kevin Winston, Digital LA, founder. Kevin celebrated his birthday on the actual day that Batuu opened at Disneyland.

Speaking on comics at LA Comic Con Saturday and Comic Con Revolution!

Tis the season to talk about comics! I’ll be joining a bunch of other awesome creatives in comics this Saturday at LA Comic Con and in two week at Comic Con Revolution. Want to learn more about comics writing, character development, and how to support diverse creatives? Then you’ll get two chances to do just that!

At LA Comic Con…

Who: Quentin Lee, Jayden Phoenix, Aman Chaudhaury, and Anne Toole
When: Saturday, December 4, 2021, 11:30am PST
Where: LA Comic Con, Room 408B
What: Comics writers and illustrators will discuss diversity (women, ethnicity, people of color, LGBTQ, accessibility, etc) of characters and creators in mainstream and indie comics, and how we can support and increase diversity efforts. We will also discuss how to use social media to help promote work by diverse creators.

Meanwhile, at Comic Con Revolution…

What: CCR SPOTLIGHT: PERSPECTIVE IN THE COMICS CREATIVE PROCESS
Who: Barbara Randall Kesel, Henry Barajas, Fabrice Spolsky, Anne Toole
When: Sunday, December 19, 2021, 11:30am PST
Where: Room 105, Ontario Convention Center
How creators bring perspective to characters in comics. This panel will tell you how creators’ experiences in real life shape the fictional lives of some of your favorite characters.

Hope you get a chance to check them out!

 

Writing for the Dishonored TRPG

Arkane’s DISHONORED the video game has become DISHONORED the tabletop roleplay game, published by Modiphius. The games, set in a steampunk-esque fictional world, follow outlaws who walk the line between noble hero and a type of sorcerer drawing dark powers from one known as the Outsider.

The DISHONORED Core Rulebook came out last year and features rules, setting information, and more for your roleplaying game pleasure. While many fantabulous writers and designers contributed to the 300-page book, I wrote the “Jewel of the South” chapter. In it, I described the history and challenges of Serkonos, the southernmost island of the Empire of the Isles. The eponymous “Jewel of the South,” the city of Karnaca, was the setting of DISHONORED 2. 

The tabletop game uses the 2d20 System. You can buy the DISHONORED Core Rulebook on Amazon or the DISHONORED pdf on DriveThruRPG. Even if you haven’t played the game, the core rulebook has plenty of information to not only get you started, but provide a deep into the world of DISHONORED. 

 

For Women’s Day, speaking twice on writing!

Sherocon 2020, a comic book convention, and Digital LA’s Digital Women’s Day Retreat, will be hosting me as well as a bunch of other fine women to discuss writing for games, comics, digital, and more. If you’re in LA this weekend, armed with hand sanitizer, and interested in learning more about writing cross platform or game narrative, come on down!

First up is the second annual Sherocon! In honor of Women’s History Month, SheroCon 2020 offers a bunch of comics exhibitors and speakers, as well as a costume contest. This free, family-friendly event runs from noon-6pm. I’ll be joining a panel of women writers to discuss writing across multiple media.

Women in Film panel
Where: Main Stage at Sherocon 2020, Westfield Culver City Mall
When: Saturday, March 7, 2pm
Who:
Kay Oyegun (This is Us)
Mairghread Scott (Guardians of the Galaxy)
Anne Toole (me!) (Horizon Zero Dawn)

If you want to learn more about writing, or want to hear about some of the awesome projects the panelists have worked on, you know where to find us!

But wait, there’s more! On Sunday, I’ll be speaking at Digital LA’s Digital Women International Women’s Day Retreat. See more below.

This afternoon event features entrepreneurs and content creators as well as bands, an optional game of basketball, and networking. I’ll likely be joining the panel at 12:15pm, then hosting a breakout session on writing at 1-2pm. Don’t forget the LA marathon and Daylight Savings on Sunday. Plan accordingly!

Digital Women Panel
Where: Main Stage at PodShare Venice, 522 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles
When: Saturday, March 7, 12:15pm
Who:
– Alexis Schomer (Expy Health, Co-Founder)
– Olga Kay (Moosh Walks, Founder)
– Elvina Beck (PodShare, Founder)
– Arielle Nissenblatt (EarBuds Podcast Collective, Founder)
– Eraina Ferguson (Founder of My Good Life)
– Anne Toole, (me!) WGA-Award winning Writer
– Moderator: Kevin Winston (Digital LA, CEO/Founder)

Writing Breakout Session
Where: PodShare Venice
When: Saturday, March 8, 1-2pm
Who: Anne Toole, (me!) WGA-Award winning Writer

I’ll be hosting an intimate group of people interested in learning more about writing, working in games, and more. Bring your questions, get some answers!

Hope you celebrate International Women’s Day, whether at these fine events, or from the safety of your home!

Writing on DAYS GONE

DAYS GONE, the PS4 exclusive survival horror game, came out last month. I had the opportunity to write some early content for this game, set in the exquisite mountains, high desert, and forests of Oregon. The people of Bend Studios did an amazing job on this game. I spent about three months up there and even enjoyed riding around on a bike in the Cascade mountains. Spoiler: It’s more fun in-game, partially because IRL I felt like I was going to fall off, and also because it was cold!

If you’re interested in environmental storytelling, immersive ambient conversations, and a cult at the end of the world, check out DAYS GONE. Also, if you like killing zombie-like freakers while riding a bike like a boss, check it all the way out!

 

Join the Dark Side at LA Comic Con

Sounds like an invitation to a Sith bar, but in fact I’m inviting you to join me and several other fabulous humans (not to imply I’m one of them) TODAY to discuss the dark storytelling at LA Comic-Con. Here are the deets:

Women On The Dark Side
3PM in Room 308
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Always a popular panel, this panel features women who challenge the convention of what women “should” create. Challenging, complex, and sometimes controversial, these women speak for those who aren’t always about glittery vampires and sparkly unicorns. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that)

Featured panelists are:
Susan Lee (@LifeOnItSide) – “Wraith of Love”, “Shadowed Doorways”
Maria Alexander (@LaMaupin) – “Snowbound”, “Mr. Wicker”
Dr. Suzana E. Flores – “UNTAMED: The Psychology of Marvel’s Wolverine”
Anne Toole – “Curse of the Pharaohs/Assassins Creed”, “Mine! anthology)

Moderator – Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press

See you there, I hope!