Mark Sabalauskas
@marksab.bsky.social
Indie tabletop RPG designer, zine publisher
I wrote Return to the Stars, a science fiction RPG, which helps players create their own stories in an optimistic space opera setting. #hopepunk
I wrote Return to the Stars, a science fiction RPG, which helps players create their own stories in an optimistic space opera setting. #hopepunk
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
Today @marksab.bsky.social, @rrookstudio.bsky.social, @mcholly1.bsky.social, @kijjohnson.bsky.social, & @willmcdermott.bsky.social walked into a Zoom, representing SFWA Game Writing and Comics, and offered us a brilliant introduction to recent creations. Enjoy the work below!
youtu.be/8GUdPN0jUZY
youtu.be/8GUdPN0jUZY
December 15, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Today @marksab.bsky.social, @rrookstudio.bsky.social, @mcholly1.bsky.social, @kijjohnson.bsky.social, & @willmcdermott.bsky.social walked into a Zoom, representing SFWA Game Writing and Comics, and offered us a brilliant introduction to recent creations. Enjoy the work below!
youtu.be/8GUdPN0jUZY
youtu.be/8GUdPN0jUZY
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
Yes, I guess I have unlocked a new role as a... librettist?
Coming in 2026 😁 More news soon when I have it
www.tangramsound.com/chronicle
Coming in 2026 😁 More news soon when I have it
www.tangramsound.com/chronicle
December 11, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Yes, I guess I have unlocked a new role as a... librettist?
Coming in 2026 😁 More news soon when I have it
www.tangramsound.com/chronicle
Coming in 2026 😁 More news soon when I have it
www.tangramsound.com/chronicle
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
One thing that I make sure to check in TTRPGs that I'm editing is that stats, whether for players, NPCs, or creatures, are consistently written and use the right format. I'll also ensure that any spell/magic names are spelled correctly.
I like to make a separate pass of this if possible.
1/2
I like to make a separate pass of this if possible.
1/2
December 10, 2025 at 5:37 PM
One thing that I make sure to check in TTRPGs that I'm editing is that stats, whether for players, NPCs, or creatures, are consistently written and use the right format. I'll also ensure that any spell/magic names are spelled correctly.
I like to make a separate pass of this if possible.
1/2
I like to make a separate pass of this if possible.
1/2
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
The 2025 Indie Groundbreaker Awards are nearly here and we need Judges! Do you know tabletop games? TTRPGs? Card games? Resource collection? We need your expertise. Join us on a panel of Judges to declare 2025’s best indie tabletop games.
forms.gle/2NpVyf4riA8v...
forms.gle/2NpVyf4riA8v...
Indie Groundbreaker Awards Judge Application
Use this form to apply to be a judge for the Indie Groundbreaker Awards.
forms.gle
December 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
The 2025 Indie Groundbreaker Awards are nearly here and we need Judges! Do you know tabletop games? TTRPGs? Card games? Resource collection? We need your expertise. Join us on a panel of Judges to declare 2025’s best indie tabletop games.
forms.gle/2NpVyf4riA8v...
forms.gle/2NpVyf4riA8v...
Forget Love Actually.
I found the real ultimate holiday classic. It’s 3.5 hours long, features incredible scenes of silent potato peeling, and has zero jingle bells. 🎄🥔 Trust me, this is the cozy watch you need. New vlog up now!
youtu.be/teCSm74ay8M0
I found the real ultimate holiday classic. It’s 3.5 hours long, features incredible scenes of silent potato peeling, and has zero jingle bells. 🎄🥔 Trust me, this is the cozy watch you need. New vlog up now!
youtu.be/teCSm74ay8M0
Jeanne Dieleman: Move over, Hallmark. This is the original holiday blueprint. 🎄✨
YouTube video by Mark Loves Films
youtu.be
December 9, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Forget Love Actually.
I found the real ultimate holiday classic. It’s 3.5 hours long, features incredible scenes of silent potato peeling, and has zero jingle bells. 🎄🥔 Trust me, this is the cozy watch you need. New vlog up now!
youtu.be/teCSm74ay8M0
I found the real ultimate holiday classic. It’s 3.5 hours long, features incredible scenes of silent potato peeling, and has zero jingle bells. 🎄🥔 Trust me, this is the cozy watch you need. New vlog up now!
youtu.be/teCSm74ay8M0
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
This classic RuneQuest/Glorantha supplement changed the way I design RPGs. The "cult initiate" concept in RQ became the "wizards' houses" of Ars Magica, then Vampire's clans, then all the factions in the '90s-era RPGs. Hard to part with.
Lots of old stuff on eBay.
www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_...
Lots of old stuff on eBay.
www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_...
December 9, 2025 at 7:02 PM
This classic RuneQuest/Glorantha supplement changed the way I design RPGs. The "cult initiate" concept in RQ became the "wizards' houses" of Ars Magica, then Vampire's clans, then all the factions in the '90s-era RPGs. Hard to part with.
Lots of old stuff on eBay.
www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_...
Lots of old stuff on eBay.
www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_...
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
Just 2k more to go, people. And this project has been fighting for 8 months. I have seen projects funded overnight - but THIS should be funded now. Translations. Black/African stories. In a world fraught with hate, we mend it with love.
ko-fi.com/africantrans...
ko-fi.com/africantrans...
Support African Translation Project
African Translation Project / Rally Weekend - let's close this up! / please see - please share / After eight months - let's complete funding for the translation of Zvinobvinza to: The Crocodile Doesn'...
ko-fi.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Just 2k more to go, people. And this project has been fighting for 8 months. I have seen projects funded overnight - but THIS should be funded now. Translations. Black/African stories. In a world fraught with hate, we mend it with love.
ko-fi.com/africantrans...
ko-fi.com/africantrans...
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
This essay about Cinder House is definitely the most vulnerable, personal thing I've ever written; it took me over a year to get to the point where I wanted to tell this particular story. Thanks to @booktrib.bsky.social for giving it a home! 🏠🔥
booktrib.com/2025/11/18/h...
booktrib.com/2025/11/18/h...
Housing the Heroine in “Cinder House” | BookTrib.
If you asked me today, and if you'd asked me two years ago, I'd tell you I'm very fond of my house. It's nothing special. It's a townhouse surrounded by other townhouses that look just like it, formin...
booktrib.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:31 PM
This essay about Cinder House is definitely the most vulnerable, personal thing I've ever written; it took me over a year to get to the point where I wanted to tell this particular story. Thanks to @booktrib.bsky.social for giving it a home! 🏠🔥
booktrib.com/2025/11/18/h...
booktrib.com/2025/11/18/h...
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
Obviously the big Criterion story today is NETWORK, but don’t sleep on the fact that they’re starting to upgrade Eclipse series releases to blu 👀
***ANNOUNCEMENT***
Coming on February 17th on Blu-ray in the US from @criterion.bsky.social as #Eclipse Series 8: #LubitschMusicals (1929-1932)!
Renowned as a silent-film pioneer and the man who refined Hollywood comedy with such masterpieces as Trouble in Paradise, The Shop Around the Corner,
Coming on February 17th on Blu-ray in the US from @criterion.bsky.social as #Eclipse Series 8: #LubitschMusicals (1929-1932)!
Renowned as a silent-film pioneer and the man who refined Hollywood comedy with such masterpieces as Trouble in Paradise, The Shop Around the Corner,
November 17, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Obviously the big Criterion story today is NETWORK, but don’t sleep on the fact that they’re starting to upgrade Eclipse series releases to blu 👀
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
Amazon Kindle currently has my new book availalbe for FREE as an e-book online right now! Buy it now for $0.00 before they change it back!
Link: shorturl.at/uPZC3
Link: shorturl.at/uPZC3
November 10, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Amazon Kindle currently has my new book availalbe for FREE as an e-book online right now! Buy it now for $0.00 before they change it back!
Link: shorturl.at/uPZC3
Link: shorturl.at/uPZC3
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
The average SNAP benefit per month is $177 a person.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
November 10, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The average SNAP benefit per month is $177 a person.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
I'm just starting a new sci-fi cyberpunk TTRPG. As is my wont, instead of diving in and making a bunch of edits, I plan to spend some time doing what I call axe sharpening.
1/3
1/3
October 31, 2025 at 6:36 PM
I'm just starting a new sci-fi cyberpunk TTRPG. As is my wont, instead of diving in and making a bunch of edits, I plan to spend some time doing what I call axe sharpening.
1/3
1/3
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
“The Pats are winning, the leaves are absolutely gorgeous even if the skies are grey, and there’s still a ton of great movies to see at IFFBoston’s second weekend of Fall Focus titles.”
Check out @vanyaland.bsky.social’s picks for this weekend: vanyaland.com/2025/10/30/i...
Check out @vanyaland.bsky.social’s picks for this weekend: vanyaland.com/2025/10/30/i...
October 30, 2025 at 9:43 PM
“The Pats are winning, the leaves are absolutely gorgeous even if the skies are grey, and there’s still a ton of great movies to see at IFFBoston’s second weekend of Fall Focus titles.”
Check out @vanyaland.bsky.social’s picks for this weekend: vanyaland.com/2025/10/30/i...
Check out @vanyaland.bsky.social’s picks for this weekend: vanyaland.com/2025/10/30/i...
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
“It must suck to be David Harbour today.” - me, listening to the new Lily Allen album.
“Sleepwalking” “Pussy Palace” “4chan Stan.” It is a vengeful tell-all set to catchy beats and melodies. Damn, she is on 🔥.
“Sleepwalking” “Pussy Palace” “4chan Stan.” It is a vengeful tell-all set to catchy beats and melodies. Damn, she is on 🔥.
October 25, 2025 at 4:55 AM
“It must suck to be David Harbour today.” - me, listening to the new Lily Allen album.
“Sleepwalking” “Pussy Palace” “4chan Stan.” It is a vengeful tell-all set to catchy beats and melodies. Damn, she is on 🔥.
“Sleepwalking” “Pussy Palace” “4chan Stan.” It is a vengeful tell-all set to catchy beats and melodies. Damn, she is on 🔥.
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
Happy belated book birthday to @yiizzy.bsky.social and John Yu Branscum! An extraordinary, genre-slipping and genre-defying book. A "UFO" book unlike anything you've seen before, a book about psychology, culture, myth, history, science and more.
www.amazon.com/Stars-That-P...
www.amazon.com/Stars-That-P...
Stars That Pause : 2,000 Years of Asian UFO Encounters & Lore
Stars That Pause : 2,000 Years of Asian UFO Encounters & Lore - Kindle edition by Yu, Yi Izzy, Branscum, John Yu. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Stars That Pause : 2,000 Years of Asian UFO Encounters & Lore.
www.amazon.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Happy belated book birthday to @yiizzy.bsky.social and John Yu Branscum! An extraordinary, genre-slipping and genre-defying book. A "UFO" book unlike anything you've seen before, a book about psychology, culture, myth, history, science and more.
www.amazon.com/Stars-That-P...
www.amazon.com/Stars-That-P...
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
Support the 2026 @apexmag.bsky.social Kickstarter! Apex publishes amazing SF, dark fantasy, and horror and we need their stories now more than ever.
I'll give an Apex gift subscription and dedication to one random person who promotes this Kickstarter! 1/
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
I'll give an Apex gift subscription and dedication to one random person who promotes this Kickstarter! 1/
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
Apex Magazine 2026
An award-winning digital literary magazine of science fiction, dark fantasy, and horror.
www.kickstarter.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Support the 2026 @apexmag.bsky.social Kickstarter! Apex publishes amazing SF, dark fantasy, and horror and we need their stories now more than ever.
I'll give an Apex gift subscription and dedication to one random person who promotes this Kickstarter! 1/
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
I'll give an Apex gift subscription and dedication to one random person who promotes this Kickstarter! 1/
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
Forget the dead, the real terror in Exhuma is uncovering a hidden history of oppression. I explore how the film works as brilliant "goth competency porn" in my new review.
youtu.be/3EBfrUuz840
youtu.be/3EBfrUuz840
Exhuma: More Than Horror, It's "Goth Competency Porn"
YouTube video by Mark Loves Films
youtu.be
October 17, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Forget the dead, the real terror in Exhuma is uncovering a hidden history of oppression. I explore how the film works as brilliant "goth competency porn" in my new review.
youtu.be/3EBfrUuz840
youtu.be/3EBfrUuz840
BIG NEWS! My short film based on my award-nominated TTRPG, Return to the Stars, is having its WORLD PREMIERE at the Brooklyn Sci-Fi Film Festival! 🚀🎬
I'm honored to have my film screen alongside 180 amazing sci-fi films from around the world.
#ShortFilm #SciFi #TTRPG
I'm honored to have my film screen alongside 180 amazing sci-fi films from around the world.
#ShortFilm #SciFi #TTRPG
October 6, 2025 at 9:09 PM
BIG NEWS! My short film based on my award-nominated TTRPG, Return to the Stars, is having its WORLD PREMIERE at the Brooklyn Sci-Fi Film Festival! 🚀🎬
I'm honored to have my film screen alongside 180 amazing sci-fi films from around the world.
#ShortFilm #SciFi #TTRPG
I'm honored to have my film screen alongside 180 amazing sci-fi films from around the world.
#ShortFilm #SciFi #TTRPG
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
Also random drive-by post:
Yes, I have written about werewolves in space.
Wolf clans space opera.
WHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEE.
Yes, I have written about werewolves in space.
Wolf clans space opera.
WHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEE.
October 3, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Also random drive-by post:
Yes, I have written about werewolves in space.
Wolf clans space opera.
WHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEE.
Yes, I have written about werewolves in space.
Wolf clans space opera.
WHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEE.
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
For my fellow homebound SFF fans, just learned about brooklynscififilmfest.com from @marksab.bsky.social at a @flightsoffoundry.bsky.social panel. Very reasonably priced (below $14!). Have any recommendations for online SFF fun for homebound SFF fans? Let's share them!
Brooklyn SciFi Film Festival - Science Fiction, Video On Demand
The Brooklyn SciFi Film Festival is on a mission to bring the best independent science fiction films to one of the most innovative and creative hubs in the world: Brooklyn.
brooklynscififilmfest.com
September 28, 2025 at 4:52 PM
For my fellow homebound SFF fans, just learned about brooklynscififilmfest.com from @marksab.bsky.social at a @flightsoffoundry.bsky.social panel. Very reasonably priced (below $14!). Have any recommendations for online SFF fun for homebound SFF fans? Let's share them!
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
Mud Ghost Estate, a spooky tumbling tower TTRPG I made for #FolkloreJam 2024, is getting an updated version! Please give it a follow on Kickstarter! 👻
www.kickstarter.com/projects/wha...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/wha...
Coming soon: Mud Ghost Estate Redux—A Spooky Tumbling Tower TTRPG
A spooky tumbling block tower-based TTRPG inspired by Hong Kong folklore; now with revised text, new cover art and extra content!
www.kickstarter.com
September 8, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Mud Ghost Estate, a spooky tumbling tower TTRPG I made for #FolkloreJam 2024, is getting an updated version! Please give it a follow on Kickstarter! 👻
www.kickstarter.com/projects/wha...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/wha...
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
If you love a cosy MG/lower YA story about princesses, dragons, recipes and palace intrigue - Dragon Sisters might be perfect for you and your tween/teen.
:D
scarletferret.com/books/comple...
Perfect for a Mid-Autumn Festival read. With mooncakes and tea, of course.
:D
scarletferret.com/books/comple...
Perfect for a Mid-Autumn Festival read. With mooncakes and tea, of course.
The Complete Dragon Sisters by Joyce Chng - Scarlet Ferret
The complete omnibus edition of the Dragon Sisters magical Chinese fantasy series. Includes all three exciting Qing-China inspired tales.
scarletferret.com
September 25, 2025 at 10:01 AM
If you love a cosy MG/lower YA story about princesses, dragons, recipes and palace intrigue - Dragon Sisters might be perfect for you and your tween/teen.
:D
scarletferret.com/books/comple...
Perfect for a Mid-Autumn Festival read. With mooncakes and tea, of course.
:D
scarletferret.com/books/comple...
Perfect for a Mid-Autumn Festival read. With mooncakes and tea, of course.
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
Idk man I was diagnosed with autism as a teenager but I’ve had friends and relationships and everything. I just get really obsessed with stuff I find interesting and don’t want to do much else 🤷🏻♀️ but my life is fine. take Tylenol when you’re sick lol.
September 23, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Idk man I was diagnosed with autism as a teenager but I’ve had friends and relationships and everything. I just get really obsessed with stuff I find interesting and don’t want to do much else 🤷🏻♀️ but my life is fine. take Tylenol when you’re sick lol.
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
Oh my…
September 21, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Oh my…
Reposted by Mark Sabalauskas
New bundle of little index card games I made while working at GenCon 2025.
#ttrpg #indiegame #indexcardgame
itch.io/s/160462/gen...
#ttrpg #indiegame #indexcardgame
itch.io/s/160462/gen...
itch.io
September 19, 2025 at 10:11 PM
New bundle of little index card games I made while working at GenCon 2025.
#ttrpg #indiegame #indexcardgame
itch.io/s/160462/gen...
#ttrpg #indiegame #indexcardgame
itch.io/s/160462/gen...