House of Mystery Radio Sessions
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
By Bianca Rose
Book Notions
Q: What is Rune Seeker, and who are you?
A (J.M. Clark): I’ve been writing since I was about 13. During COVID, I decided to take it seriously and released my first series, Mark of the Fool, online before our publisher picked it up. The publisher later introduced me to Carter, and together we created Rune Seeker.
A (C.J. Thompson): My storytelling roots started with tabletop RPGs like Dungeons Dragons, building worlds and campaigns. I began publishing more seriously after my wife encouraged me to pursue it. My first series with Athon Books was Against the Night. Through the publisher, J.M. and I connected and developed Rune Seeker.
Q: What exactly is LitRPG?
A (J.M. Clark): LitRPG is a subgenre of fantasy that blends traditional storytelling with game mechanics. Think of elements from video games or tabletop RPGs—stats, levels, classes, quests—integrated directly into the narrative. A well-known example is Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. Characters can see status screens and numerical growth, and those mechanics are part of the world’s structure. It’s an evolution of modern fantasy’s increasingly codified magic systems, influenced by authors like Brandon Sanderson.
Q: When building a LitRPG world, do you plan everything?
A (J.M. Clark): In this genre, you really need to plan. The systems and rules must be consistent. Unlike looser fantasy, LitRPG requires careful groundwork so the mechanics don’t contradict themselves later.
A (C.J. Thompson): For Rune Seeker, we mapped out the power progression from beginning to end. We had to know how strong the weakest and strongest characters would be and how that shaped the world. The system had to be logical and sustainable across all eight books.
Q: So the world operates like a video game?
A (C.J. Thompson): Exactly. The characters see status screens, classes, quests—everything. The rules are visible and measurable, and growth is quantifiable.
Q: Do the characters ultimately win?
A (J.M. Clark): The world continues beyond individual victories. Like a long-running MMORPG, the setting endures. Characters may achieve their goals, but the world itself keeps going. Power growth is central, but the story determines how that plays out.
Q: Is strategy as important as storytelling?
A (J.M. Clark): Absolutely. Characters must use tactics and intelligence. They can’t just rely on stats—they have to apply their abilities creatively.
Q: What are the biggest challenges when writing LitRPG?
A (C.J. Thompson): Planning the system properly from the start. If you don’t, you risk writing yourself into contradictions.
A (J.M. Clark): Also, remembering that it’s still a story. If you focus only on mechanics and forget compelling characters and emotional stakes, it won’t work. The “Lit” part is just as important as the “RPG.”
Q: Is there a main character and antagonist in Rune Seeker?
A (J.M. Clark): It varies by story. Sometimes it’s hero versus villain, sometimes hero versus monster, sometimes hero versus self.
A (C.J. Thompson): In Rune Seeker, the central conflict is largely the protagonist versus the world. The story begins on flying islands, and leaving them is extremely dangerous. The main character, Hiral, must descend to the surface to obtain a class, uncovering deeper mysteries about the world.
Q: Is there aeeper meaning beneath the adventure?
A (J.M. Clark): Yes. One of our main themes is inequality. Hiral begins at a disadvantage in a system that isn’t fair. His journey is about gaining agency and overcoming structural imbalance—something many readers can relate to.
Q: Who reads LitRPG? Mostly gamers?
A (J.M. Clark): Many readers are gamers, but gaming has become mainstream across generations. The genre appeals to anyone familiar with progression systems.
A (C.J. Thompson): There’s also nostalgia involved for longtime gamers. Plus, modern life is increasingly gamified—apps, rewards, achievements. LitRPG taps into that motivational structure while delivering a traditional fantasy story.
Q: If Rune Seeker were a real game, would you play it?
A (J.M. Clark): Of course. We designed the system based on games we enjoyed. A (C.J. Thompson): Absolutely. It reflects the kinds of systems and gameplay we appreciate.
Q: Is LitRPG usually a long series?
A (C.J. Thompson): Standalones are rare. Many series run long because progression can continue indefinitely.
A (J.M. Clark): With Rune Seeker, we planned an eight-book arc with a defined ending from the beginning.
Q: Where can readers find you and the book?
A (C.J. Thompson): You can find my work at CarterJThompson.com and on Facebook. The book
is available through Athon Books.
A (J.M. Clark): I’m also on Facebook—Clark with an “E.” Rune Seeker is available now.
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