Christopher E Appel
@christophereappel.bsky.social
Veteran game developer, illustrator, and animator on projects including Archer, Hit Monkey, Paladins, Wizardry, Unreal, Legend of the Five Rings, Deadlands, & Savage Worlds. Also a 2 on the Kevin Bacon scale. Debut novel Valhollywood is on Amazon.
A new edit of Valhollywood is currently on Amazon. A large print edition is also available, in case you needed to bludgeon someone to death with a phone book and realized those are hard to come by these days.
April 9, 2025 at 3:02 PM
A new edit of Valhollywood is currently on Amazon. A large print edition is also available, in case you needed to bludgeon someone to death with a phone book and realized those are hard to come by these days.
I anever worked for Andrew C. Greenberg, but he and Robert Woodhead created a series which not only inspired me, but during its D.W. Bradley incarnation, gave me a career in game development. RIP Werdna. www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/an...
Andrew C. Greenberg, co-creator of the influential Wizardry series of RPGs, has died
Wizardry was huge in the 1980s, and helped define both Western and Japanese RPGs as we know them.
www.pcgamer.com
September 1, 2024 at 3:08 AM
I anever worked for Andrew C. Greenberg, but he and Robert Woodhead created a series which not only inspired me, but during its D.W. Bradley incarnation, gave me a career in game development. RIP Werdna. www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/an...
Can't post a video, but there are so many cicadas getting busy outside my widow it sounds like a phaser on overload.
April 25, 2024 at 7:21 PM
Can't post a video, but there are so many cicadas getting busy outside my widow it sounds like a phaser on overload.
Saddened to learn of the passing of James A. Moore, a stand up guy, and an inspiration to me. He made an indelible contribution to my novel and was kind enough to to write a cover blurb when it was published. My thoughts are with his family and other friends.
March 27, 2024 at 7:43 PM
Saddened to learn of the passing of James A. Moore, a stand up guy, and an inspiration to me. He made an indelible contribution to my novel and was kind enough to to write a cover blurb when it was published. My thoughts are with his family and other friends.
As I unpacked from my move, I realized that Valhollywood is now a year old. Here's looking at you, kid! #FantasyLit, #Indie, #BookBirthday
March 25, 2024 at 6:34 PM
As I unpacked from my move, I realized that Valhollywood is now a year old. Here's looking at you, kid! #FantasyLit, #Indie, #BookBirthday
It's been a hectic few months. I've got several stories out for consideration, I've relocated to a new city, and I'm still searching for a new career position, and, but Valhollywood is getting good reviews and is still on sale and free to read on Kindle Unlimited. www.amazon.com/Valhollywood...
March 6, 2024 at 3:29 PM
It's been a hectic few months. I've got several stories out for consideration, I've relocated to a new city, and I'm still searching for a new career position, and, but Valhollywood is getting good reviews and is still on sale and free to read on Kindle Unlimited. www.amazon.com/Valhollywood...
Not doing cover illustrations these days (except for my own book) but here's one of the last I did for PEG, the Horror Companion, now available for preorder.
peginc.com/product/horr...
peginc.com/product/horr...
Horror Companion (SWADE) - Preorder | Pinnacle Entertainment Group
Please note that this item is for Preorder only. Any items combined with this product in your order will not ship until it arrives from the manufacturer.
peginc.com
March 6, 2024 at 4:03 AM
Not doing cover illustrations these days (except for my own book) but here's one of the last I did for PEG, the Horror Companion, now available for preorder.
peginc.com/product/horr...
peginc.com/product/horr...
Congratulations to the Blue Eye Samurai team for some well deserved Annie Awards! fandomwire.com/blue-eye-sam...
Blue Eye Samurai Wins Big, Takes Home 6 Different Annie Awards
Netflix's animated series 'Blue Eye Samurai' wins six different Annie Awards after getting nominated in seven categories.
fandomwire.com
February 20, 2024 at 3:19 AM
Congratulations to the Blue Eye Samurai team for some well deserved Annie Awards! fandomwire.com/blue-eye-sam...
There are restaurants you just don't cross. In Valhollywood, Jake Neumann learns the Melody Lane on Wilshire is one of them.
This shot is from Martin Turnbull's blog. Turnbull has written about a dozen novels set in Hollywood's history. If that aspect of Valhollywood is of interest, check them out.
This shot is from Martin Turnbull's blog. Turnbull has written about a dozen novels set in Hollywood's history. If that aspect of Valhollywood is of interest, check them out.
February 20, 2024 at 3:15 AM
There are restaurants you just don't cross. In Valhollywood, Jake Neumann learns the Melody Lane on Wilshire is one of them.
This shot is from Martin Turnbull's blog. Turnbull has written about a dozen novels set in Hollywood's history. If that aspect of Valhollywood is of interest, check them out.
This shot is from Martin Turnbull's blog. Turnbull has written about a dozen novels set in Hollywood's history. If that aspect of Valhollywood is of interest, check them out.
I took part in a case study organized by eBookFairs and Dale L Roberts. Four authors and I talked briefly with Dale about our experiences here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDJQ...
Are Paid Reviews Worth It?
Editorial reviews provide third-party credibility to your book, but are they worth all the hassle or costs? I worked with five authors in a case study using ...
www.youtube.com
February 18, 2024 at 1:05 AM
I took part in a case study organized by eBookFairs and Dale L Roberts. Four authors and I talked briefly with Dale about our experiences here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDJQ...
Time has flown the last few months as I've dealt with a job search, a bout of covid, sold a home, and relocated to a new city. Valhollywood has been earning solid reviews in the meantime. It's on Amazon and free to read on Kindle Unlimited.
February 7, 2024 at 11:47 PM
Time has flown the last few months as I've dealt with a job search, a bout of covid, sold a home, and relocated to a new city. Valhollywood has been earning solid reviews in the meantime. It's on Amazon and free to read on Kindle Unlimited.
Early in LA history, the Theosophists founded Krotona in the Hollywood hills. The colony later moved to Ojai, but many of their old university buildings are still there, and other landmarks--the Hollywood Bowl and a number of significant homes were built by society members.
February 7, 2024 at 11:29 PM
Early in LA history, the Theosophists founded Krotona in the Hollywood hills. The colony later moved to Ojai, but many of their old university buildings are still there, and other landmarks--the Hollywood Bowl and a number of significant homes were built by society members.
Ciro's nightclub is on the cover of Valhollywood and is probably the most important location I researched for the book. My description of the Ciro's in the book is its original 40s décor. It went through many incarnations and expansions over the years. Now the building is the Comedy Store.
February 6, 2024 at 10:47 PM
Ciro's nightclub is on the cover of Valhollywood and is probably the most important location I researched for the book. My description of the Ciro's in the book is its original 40s décor. It went through many incarnations and expansions over the years. Now the building is the Comedy Store.
Another book Valholywood fans might enjoy is By Any Other Fame--Mike Resnick and Martin H Greenberg, ed.
It's an anthology of 'what if?' stories, featuring tales by science fiction and fantasy authors about Hollywood stars, and other celebrities, in alternate situations which bring them fame.
It's an anthology of 'what if?' stories, featuring tales by science fiction and fantasy authors about Hollywood stars, and other celebrities, in alternate situations which bring them fame.
February 6, 2024 at 10:43 PM
Another book Valholywood fans might enjoy is By Any Other Fame--Mike Resnick and Martin H Greenberg, ed.
It's an anthology of 'what if?' stories, featuring tales by science fiction and fantasy authors about Hollywood stars, and other celebrities, in alternate situations which bring them fame.
It's an anthology of 'what if?' stories, featuring tales by science fiction and fantasy authors about Hollywood stars, and other celebrities, in alternate situations which bring them fame.
In the 90s, when I was playing with the idea for Valhollywood, I was inspired by the Toby Peters mysteries by Stuart Kaminsky.
Peters is a PI who would gets hired by the studio fixers to help famous movie stars out of jams. Kaminsky wrote two dozen of these stories.
Peters is a PI who would gets hired by the studio fixers to help famous movie stars out of jams. Kaminsky wrote two dozen of these stories.
February 5, 2024 at 2:07 AM
In the 90s, when I was playing with the idea for Valhollywood, I was inspired by the Toby Peters mysteries by Stuart Kaminsky.
Peters is a PI who would gets hired by the studio fixers to help famous movie stars out of jams. Kaminsky wrote two dozen of these stories.
Peters is a PI who would gets hired by the studio fixers to help famous movie stars out of jams. Kaminsky wrote two dozen of these stories.
When Jake Neumann arrives in Valhollywood early in 2016, he is living in an apartment building on Highland Avenue. It is one of the few locations where I have chosen to take literary license, but the exterior description closely matches the actual location in Los Angeles on the left.
February 5, 2024 at 1:47 AM
When Jake Neumann arrives in Valhollywood early in 2016, he is living in an apartment building on Highland Avenue. It is one of the few locations where I have chosen to take literary license, but the exterior description closely matches the actual location in Los Angeles on the left.
Saddened to hear of the passing of Jennell Jaquays. It was nearly 35 years ago when I was given my first illustration assignment on Citybook IV. Jennell was a pioneer in the tabletop and electronic game industries. I always enjoyed catching up at conventions. My thought go out to her loved ones.
January 11, 2024 at 5:24 PM
Saddened to hear of the passing of Jennell Jaquays. It was nearly 35 years ago when I was given my first illustration assignment on Citybook IV. Jennell was a pioneer in the tabletop and electronic game industries. I always enjoyed catching up at conventions. My thought go out to her loved ones.
Holiday greetings! Welcome to Valhollywood, a sprawling urban fantasy world set against the backdrop of LA noir and Hollywood history. Follow Jake Neumann on a race against time through murder, magic, and movie history. Free to read on Kindle Unlimited.
www.amazon.com/Valhollywood...
www.amazon.com/Valhollywood...
December 27, 2023 at 4:08 PM
Holiday greetings! Welcome to Valhollywood, a sprawling urban fantasy world set against the backdrop of LA noir and Hollywood history. Follow Jake Neumann on a race against time through murder, magic, and movie history. Free to read on Kindle Unlimited.
www.amazon.com/Valhollywood...
www.amazon.com/Valhollywood...
Selling, moving, and buying a house has turned into a full-time job, without pay or benefits. I hope I'll have something more fun to share soon.
November 29, 2023 at 4:28 PM
Selling, moving, and buying a house has turned into a full-time job, without pay or benefits. I hope I'll have something more fun to share soon.
MarKay and I are ready for our next chapter, starting with the sale of my childhood home. A great house and neighborhood for raising kids. We've loved it here, but it needs a family who wants a big yard, a giant pool and lots of levels! In Marietta GA
www.zillow.com/homedetails/...
www.zillow.com/homedetails/...
November 9, 2023 at 7:13 PM
MarKay and I are ready for our next chapter, starting with the sale of my childhood home. A great house and neighborhood for raising kids. We've loved it here, but it needs a family who wants a big yard, a giant pool and lots of levels! In Marietta GA
www.zillow.com/homedetails/...
www.zillow.com/homedetails/...
Thanks to those who turned out to support the October fair on @ebookfairs. Valhollywood did very well, earning almost 1/5 of the total votes cast. Thanks to all here who took part!
November 7, 2023 at 5:59 PM
Thanks to those who turned out to support the October fair on @ebookfairs. Valhollywood did very well, earning almost 1/5 of the total votes cast. Thanks to all here who took part!
It's Halloween, and I got my 31 horror movies in this month. Hope you did as well.
October 31, 2023 at 1:07 PM
It's Halloween, and I got my 31 horror movies in this month. Hope you did as well.
Friends, family, and fellow book enthusiasts! I need your support at eBookFairs. Please vote for Valhollywood in their October show. And don't forget to enter for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card. #bookcommunity #bookfair #indieauthors #books
ebookfairs.com/Fair/Book?id=yCmh03A8HEq3NBnvh5-Q-Q
ebookfairs.com/Fair/Book?id=yCmh03A8HEq3NBnvh5-Q-Q
October 30, 2023 at 12:31 PM
Friends, family, and fellow book enthusiasts! I need your support at eBookFairs. Please vote for Valhollywood in their October show. And don't forget to enter for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card. #bookcommunity #bookfair #indieauthors #books
ebookfairs.com/Fair/Book?id=yCmh03A8HEq3NBnvh5-Q-Q
ebookfairs.com/Fair/Book?id=yCmh03A8HEq3NBnvh5-Q-Q
New review of Valhollywood from eBookFair.
October 25, 2023 at 1:22 AM
New review of Valhollywood from eBookFair.